Holocaust

[Sojourner]

Night is a really depressing book, but an important one. Definitely also read Corrie ten Boom's book The Hiding Place. It may help you. And I echo all of you who said to go to the Holocaust Museum if you are ever anywhere near Washington, D.C. It's indescribable.

I have found it's a good thing to read and talk with people about personal experiences of suffering, ours and theirs. A guy who has been through a lot of carp recently told me, "You can’t go through something like this and not be changed – and it’s not easy for it to change you for the better.” So true.

Going through suffering -- whether it's vicariously through witnessing the suffering of others or through your own experience -- will change you. It has changed me, in some ways for the better and in some ways not.

The thing I kept coming back to is that God is sovereign, and I have to trust that he will do as he has promised, and make all that is now ugliness new and beautiful again. Someday this will all make sense. I used to think that was a cop-out answer, but I don't really know any other.

One book I keep coming back to when I get stuck on the question "why" (which happens from time to time) is the book of Job. Job asks God "Why" about his own suffering, and God takes him on a whirlwind tour of creation, asking him questions like, "Is it by your discernment that the hawk soars, that he spreads his wings toward the south?" or "Would you refuse to acknowledge my right? Would you condemn me that you may be justified?"

Finally, Job comes to the place where he says, "I have dealt with great things that I do not undersand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. I had heard of you by wordo f mouth, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore, I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes."

I read this periodically to remind myself of who God is and who I am. It helps.

I'll be praying for you.

Sojourner

Verses quoted from The New American Bible.

Edited January 23, 2004 by Sojourner

[VeraMaria]

thanks.

The thing that made me post was also that in the discussion we had after class, our teacher made some points, like :

If you know the Bible, you probably know the story of Sodom and Gomorra. Id God punished them just because they were sinning, what about all those millions of lives lost in the greatest sins of all. "God" was silent.

at the beginning he made a whole speech about he didn't want to "pressure" us to talk about our "religious beliefes", but sincethe theme of god, the question of "why", and lost faith are important themes in the book, we'll discuss it.

I find it hard to stand up for my faith in my class. My reasons get all mixed up and it sounds so lame coming out of my mouth.

[hopeful1]

thanks.

The thing that made me post was also that in the discussion we had after class, our teacher made some points, like :

If you know the Bible, you probably know the story of Sodom and Gomorra. Id God punished them just because they were sinning, what about all those millions of lives lost in the greatest sins of all. "God" was silent.

at the beginning he made a whole speech about he didn't want to "pressure" us to talk about our "religious beliefes", but sincethe theme of god, the question of "why", and lost faith are important themes in the book, we'll discuss it.

I find it hard to stand up for my faith in my class. My reasons get all mixed up and it sounds so lame coming out of my mouth.

i understand what you mean Vera. I went through Catholic schools all my life and i'm in a public community college now, and sometimes it's seems hard for me to stand up for my faith too, for much of the same reasons you said. I remember my junior year we learned all about the Holocaust (and then some! I swear my teacher was so into you'd swear she was jewish herself! ) and had to write an essay on it (Mangela is just horrible!)and had a survivor come in to speak to us. She read to us parts of "Night" and i think i remember her saying Weisel eventually did come back to his faith. We watched Schindler's List too, very sad movie. but if there's anything of comfort i can give you, remember this "he who saves one life, saves the world entire". It's from the Talmud, and it was written on a ring the survivor gave schindler.

[hopeful1]

hey vera! This might be of intrest for you.

http://holocaust.hklaw.com/

someone from my school wrote an essay for this in 2001, and won.

Edited January 23, 2004 by hopeful1

[Jake Huether]

Vera,

You don't have to say anything. Your teacher and classmates already know your stance, so your presence does the talking.

Just pray for them. I will too.

You are so special.

[VeraMaria]

I'll pray, Jaker. Thanks.

Thanks everyone, i was just feeling so horrible yesterday, so depressed. If only learning about this causes this...my god, it was such a living hell.

I'm trying to "remember the lesson", and not be traumatized like this.

[jmjtina]

found this cool quote vera:

"O Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill, but also those of ill will. But do not remember the suffering they have inflicted upon us; remember the fruits we brought thanks to this suffering, our comradship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of this; and when they come to judgement, let all the fruits that we have borne be thier forgiveness" Written on a piece of paper found at Ravensbruck consentration camp WWII

[VeraMaria]

wow tina

thanx

:mellow: :mellow: :cool: