would you lose faith if you were in a concentration camp?

Question

i know it's a stupid question, but i just need opinions because i'm doing a project about the holocaust.

anyways, why would you lose faith?

would you keep going on and wait for the war to end?
or
would you do what other jews did and run into an electrical fence that bordered the concentration camps and suicide?

Answer 1

I don't think I'd lose my faith.

I view the world as somewhat transient anyway.
See, if I am right, and there is a God, then I get to look forward to an eternity of bliss.
If I'm wrong, and there is no God, and all that's left is non-existence, then it won't matter anyway, and I won't be able to regret my decision.

Either way, I win by hanging on to my faith in adverse circumstances.

Answer 2

Interesting question.

It's so hard to think of yourself living in those conditions day in and day out. Just the mindset, I am reminded how lucky I am. But just sitting and thinking about it for a few minutes, it seems as if my faith would be all I had left to hang onto. What else would I have, but my prayer and faith, that this is only temporary. I am reminded of the thief beside Jesus, and in all that pain and suffering, hearing the words, "Today, you will be with me in paradise!"

Also, if you have time before your project is due, you should seriously consider reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. She was in concentration camps during the holocaust for hiding jews. She lost and suffered so much, yet she never lost her faith, and when the war ended, preached to others that were formerly in camps to forgive everyone who had wronged them while there. It's one of the most amazing stories I have ever read. The best part was when her sister made her thank God for the fleas!!! In the end, they turned out to be a blessing.

Answer 3

No one knows what they'll do in life-or-death situations until they are faced with them. My best guess is that my higher faculties would eventually shut down and the whole thing would be an exercise in bare survival. I like to think I would not sink to evil acts in order to survive; but one never knows until the heat of the moment (or interminable time). Faith, as such, would imply hope, and if I were stuck for a long enough time, this would inevitably disappear and be replaced by a baser instinct. The idea of hope allows its opposite, despair, entry and would impair chances of survival. So in answer to your question, I would lose faith/hope in order to lose despair.

Answer 4

I was thinking today that people have to learn to forgive and go forward I remember thinking of some problems I had and I even said to my self what about the Holocaust survivors who were brutally and cruelly and sadistically treated. Maybe I have had rough times but I also have a good life. God gives you faith and grace when you need it the most. But these people that were afflicted became strong and endured.

Corrie Ten Boom was in the Holocaust and even forgiven the guard who placed her in prison years later and shook his hand and asked humbly and contritely for her forgiveness. I thought How amazing if this woman can forgive this man I can forgive the people that hurt me.

Thank you for posting.

Answer 5

Most likely, it would make faith more easy to come by. I'd have to rely on God, and there would be a strict demarcation between myself and my persecutors (of course, this can be a spiritual illness wherein I cannot see the divine image in them).

On the other hand, the suffering could work the opposite way also, and it did in some people.

Ultimately, I pray I wouldn't, but I cannot know. That's one thing you must experience to truly know, and I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I'm made out of steel. I believe God would aid me, but I am weak and frail, and I've given in to lesser temptations in the past.

Answer 6

In the Nazi concentration camps, some did lose their faith, btu others proved to be faithful. One amazing and incredible example is that of what Jehovah's Witnesses went through and still were strong enough to resist denying their faith.

http://www.jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcfi_e.htm

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses were rounded up just like the Jews were and on their prison clothes were purple triangles identifying them as Jehovah's Witnesses. Hilter wanted us exterminated too. Many were murdered. While in concentration camps they preached the good news of God's kingdon, held quiet meetings to maintain their morale and many of our songs were written by Jehovah's Witnesses while imprisoned. They maintained their faith and more with God's Holy Spirit. I would pray for Jehovah's Holy Spirit and do my best with God's help. There is more to gain for keeping your faith, even if they kill you.

Answer 8

I don't think so, because I was once arrested
on false charges and kept in an old dirty jail
for 6 months.
I love Jesus, so I pitied myself for a couple days,
then found out there were so many people
there who were much more needy than me,
so we started the "B-Block Church of God."

It was great! Had some powerful singing,
preaching and teaching in that rotten old
jail as Jesus would raise up different
inmates with a word or a testimony.

It was one of the greatest experiences of
my life, and although I was innocent as could
be, God used it for His glory, and many
precious young men accepted Jesus as
their Lord.
Suicide? Noooooo! Too much to do!

Answer 9

Since thankfully I haven't ever been in that situation, I can't say for certain. I'd hope I wouldn't, but it would be very difficult not to. I would definitely keep going with the thought that my survival would make the Nazis mad and that we would need witnesses. Have you ever read Elie Wiesel's book Night? It is rather short and very good. It's about his struggle with his faith.

Answer 10

No, I wouldn't lose my faith. Extreme situations like the holocaust and genocide, are, to me, an ultimate test of faith in God. Knowing that God would never give me something I can't handle, I would keep the faith.