Philosophy & Religion
Killing God (An Exploration of the Presence and Role of God During the Holocaust)
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Philosophy and Religion
Start Date
11-4-2014 9:30 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 10:30 AM
Sponsor
Brent Hege (Butler University)
Description
World War II was a dark time for many people, and especially the inhabitants of Western Europe whose backyard may have literally been a battlefield. Besides the many lives that were lost in the Western and Eastern theaters due to military engagements, countless other innocents were systematically killed due to the Endlösung, or Holocaust. Families were ripped apart, humiliated, dehumanized, and finally executed by the hundreds during the death squad campaign from 1941-1943. Despite the horrifying events that characterize the Holocaust, it serves as a fascinating model to explore the fundamental concepts of religion. Does God care about us? And if God cares, why doesn't God stop it? These are some of the questions that are asked when bad things happen to good people. In addition, many of the classical explanations of why we suffer break down when confronted with events as atrocious as the Holocaust. Feminist theologian, Carter Heyward, and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel both have their interpretations on the presence of God during one of the world's most horrific events. While no one may ever find an answer to these questions, I will attempt to use these two brilliant writers as a springboard to dig deeper into the simple question, "Where is God during our darkest hour?"
Killing God (An Exploration of the Presence and Role of God During the Holocaust)
Indianapolis, IN
World War II was a dark time for many people, and especially the inhabitants of Western Europe whose backyard may have literally been a battlefield. Besides the many lives that were lost in the Western and Eastern theaters due to military engagements, countless other innocents were systematically killed due to the Endlösung, or Holocaust. Families were ripped apart, humiliated, dehumanized, and finally executed by the hundreds during the death squad campaign from 1941-1943. Despite the horrifying events that characterize the Holocaust, it serves as a fascinating model to explore the fundamental concepts of religion. Does God care about us? And if God cares, why doesn't God stop it? These are some of the questions that are asked when bad things happen to good people. In addition, many of the classical explanations of why we suffer break down when confronted with events as atrocious as the Holocaust. Feminist theologian, Carter Heyward, and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel both have their interpretations on the presence of God during one of the world's most horrific events. While no one may ever find an answer to these questions, I will attempt to use these two brilliant writers as a springboard to dig deeper into the simple question, "Where is God during our darkest hour?"