God And Auschwitz

Auschwitz. The name rings through time as one of the darkest spots on the whole of humanity. The very mention brings horrible nightmares to those who were there or who saw the gruesome inhumane acts that went on behind those walls.

What it must have been like for those 7600 prisoners who were liberated by the Russians is indescribable. To be guaranteed death by cruel, torturous deaths and then escape death itself. There are no words to describe the feeling. We don't know all that happened behind the doors of Auschwitz, but what we do know is despicable. From experimenting on live people to death by gas, the atrocities are innumerable and disgusting.

This year is the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. There were many celebrations in private homes and with families, but also at the site there was one of the most spectacular fire demonstrations since the bombing of Baghdad. They actually lit the railroad tracks on fire leading up to the death camp.

Many people say that this proves there is no God. For He could not be this cold to allow this to happen. President Bush in his inauguration called Him “a just God”. One writer from the Washington Post said “[Auschwitz] is an immense bump on the road to our belief in a good God.” “Maybe,” he is quoted in saying, “God had just turned His back.”

How can this writer say such things about God? The blasphemy is angering for those who do believe in God. But does that writer have a point? Why would a good God let something so evil happen as Auschwitz and the Holocaust?

The better question is: Why doesn't God allow Auschwitz happen more often? Why is it that people immediately blame God for the evil that happens? The evil is a result of man. Yes, God allowed it to happen, but it is only because He lets man have a free will. He doesn't want to be served by mindless robots, He wants to be loved by choice.

Although it may seem to be away from the subject it isn't. God allows things like Auschwitz to happen to turn people to Him. The same goes for 9/11 and the most recent tsunami that caused well over 100,000 deaths. God is trying to get man's attention.

To say that Auschwitz is “a speed bump in the road to our belief in a good God” may be true. But God is also a just God, a holy God, and a fearful God, but people don't like to think about the fact that they may have to answer for their sin against Him. In all reality, to God something as small as telling a “white” lie or stealing a nickel is just as bad to Him as what Hitler did in the Holocaust. But people want to paint a picture in their mind of the god that they want. Remember, Hitler is paying for his sin just as everyone will one day have to answer for even the littlest thing.

But back to Auschwitz, God was there, when each and every escapee made it to safety. God was there, when 7,600 people were saved from horrible deaths. God was there with the countless number of people who were never captured. And God is here now giving the few remaining live survivors the breathe that they take every second.

But “God had just turned His back.” Really? Tell that to those still alive today who were in the camp having been tortured or awaiting torture. Tell that to the men, women, and children who were awaiting the one-way train ride into that death arena. Tell that to the millions of Jews who never were captured or had to leave their lands, when in all reality they could and possible should have been at that camp. You think they'll believe you?

Just keep telling yourself that, maybe the wall wants a good conversation. Then again, probably not. If anything, Auschwitz has to drive us to the realization that there is a God who does watch out. He lets man do what he wants and destroy himself, but ultimately he answers to God anyway.