Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer morally wrong to willingly participate in the attempt to assasinate Adolph Hitler?

Question

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was presented with the ultimate question in dilemma ethics. He struggled with the question. His conscience propelled him to his own death as a result of his decision. Bonhoeffer said, "The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves its children." Was he morally wrong?

I found this in the book of Mark. "For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister to many, and to give his life as a ransom for many." KJV
or as expressed in "The Message"
"He came to serve, not to be served -- and then to give away his life in exchange for many who were held hostage."
I believe that Bonhoeffer knew his life was on the line when he entered into the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler; that he came to think that the church also needed to become the social conscience for the people thru his experience in the black church in America when he visited here, no doubt a divinely appointed trip. I believe he was expressing his discipleship to Christ in the most pure form, willing, from the git-go to lay down his life for his fellow man, the Jews, who were being persecuted and murdered like they were so many rabid dogs. He struggled with the ethics of his dilemma, and he was forgiven. I hope to have a conversation with him one day myself.

Answer 1

Ah, an age old question, is it right to commit a "lesser" sin to stop a "greater" sin. Was it morally right for him to try to stop Hitler from murdering millions. Technically, he would have been involved in a sin, which is murder, and as a believer, he is forgiven. One could use the analogy of someone on one of the planes on 9/11. If you could have stopped one of the planes from crashing into the buildings by killing one or more of the terrorists, would you do it? You would still be technically murdering someone, but could it be called self defense? Or the defense of another? Such is the case of Bonhoeffer, could his act be considered one of self defense, knowing that since he would not go along with the "program" he too may end up in a camp, or the defense of millions of helpless people who could not fight for themselves? It is something that each of us would have to come to a conscientious decision at the time. So was he technically wrong or sinning? Yes. Was it morally wrong to do it? I would say, looking back at what happened, no.

Answer 2

We should still be assassinating some leaders today. It is a shame the US put an end to that policy. Might have been much easier had we just assassinated Hussein.

I am mormon and there is a line in the book of mormon when a prophet was told to kill a man and he hesitated at the idea. It goes along the lines of, better one man perish than a whole nation dwindle in disbelief.

If killing one man prevents the innocent death of millions in the crusade of that one mans thirst for nothing more then his own power, then perhaps not killing him is even more wrong.
Yes there is a fine fine line and where it crosses straight out murdering for ones own personal gains can be a slippery slope.
When it comes to a nation defending its sovereignty and way of life then it has the right to try to defend it.
But that nation better be prepared for retaliation if it engages in such actions.
It is all a big chess game.

Answer 3

I like his measure of morality. Killing humans is always unpleasant and should be avoided whenever possible, but sometimes a lack of action is an even worse choice. The fact that he struggled with it reinforces the seriousness in which he approached his situation. No, he was not morally wrong.

Answer 4

Hitler facilitated the systematic torture and murder of millions and millions of people. I think Bonhoeffer would have been morally just to rid the world of Adolf Hitler.

Answer 5

No, as Christians, it is our duty to be the church militant in order for the evil not to overcome us. Hitler was undoubtably evil. No where in the Bible are we supposed to submit to evil and wickedness.

Answer 6

I don't know who he was, so I can't answer that, but I think its wrong to take matters into your own hands, Hitler was gonna die eventually, at his own hands.

Answer 7

Of course, killing is wrong!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 8

morally no...legally maybe..... :)

Answer 9

i don't think so