Monday, November 17, 2008

So Much to Think About

Yesterday my husband and my boys and I were blessed to be able to go to Washington D.C.'s Holocaust Museum. What a journey it takes you on. Two of my children have researched this subject extensively in school, but I do not remember learning much about it while I was in school. While my children were learning about it, they shared a lot of things with me, though.

It really made me think about a lot of things. Adolf Hitler never pretended to be someone he was not. From the very beginning, he told everyone what he stood for and what his intentions were. He was clear as could be. His reign did not happen over night. It was gradual and the whole world watched it happen.

I looked at so many pictures of people. People who were certainly just like me and just like you. They had hopes and dreams for their families. They had so much to offer the world. Where in the world did anyone get the idea that they did not deserve to live and were less worthy than someone else. They often times didn't know what they were about to face. I read about the different policy changes that went into effect. Little by little, rights were taken away from entire groups of people. There are so many sad aspects to this that it is hard to wrap my head around it. It certainly gives me much to think about. I don't want to forget what I learned and what I saw.

11 comments:

Kelli said...

so sad and so scary. I hope we never have to live through something like that or even a small percentage of something like that. Just the thought scares me to death. All I want in this life is for my family and friends (even bloggy friends) to be safe and healthy

Melanie L said...

I heard this poem years ago:

"First they came for the Jews"

In Germany, first they came for
The Communist's. And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists, And I did not speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
And I did not speak up because
I was a protestant.

Then they came for me,
And by that time there was no one left to speak up.

-Pastor Neirnoeller

Heather said...

Mel, that quote was actually at the museum. It was such a powerful place. There was this one exhibit with just shoes from some of the victims. Just there all piled up because the Nazis took everything they thought of value from their victims.

Rachel said...

It is so sad and shocking. I think my children are learning more about it than I did too. I did research some of it online after one of my boys had to do a project or something on it once. I think it would be neat to go to DC with the kids...very educational. I can't imagine the nightmare these people lived.

joeks said...

I don't understand how some people can say it never happened.

My oldest daughter and I spent several hours at Dachau three summers ago. I will never forget what we saw there either.

Have you ever read any books by Brock and Bodie Thoene? They write very well researched Christian historical fiction. Their "Zion Chronicles" and "Zion Covenant" series deal with this time in history.

Shari said...

very sad and scarey times. my aunt was russian and was thrown in one of hitler's concentration camps. her stories are appalling and make me very thankful for our freedom here in the U.S. She had an amazing story and attitude to go with it. thanks for sharing.

Martha said...

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it."

Edmund Burke (British Statesman and Philosopher, 1729-1797)

A rather scary thought.

Kim said...

http://www.paperclipsmovie.com/

Paperclips is a great documentary. I recommend it to everyone. It's very moving.

Angie said...

We didn't learn much about it in school either. It seems to show the real spiritual battle going on in the world, doesn't it?


That quote Miss Melanie mentioned was powerful!

Joe Fool said...

I heard that it is actually illegal to deny the holocaust in Germany.

Kelli said...

I tagged you on my blog. Have fun