THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505050078
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Issues of Faith
SOURCE: Betsy Mathews Wright
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
LAST WEEK'S column on Christians' taking responsibility for the Holocaust sparked a lot of thought from readers. First, however, let's get something straight about the headline.
The headline was, frankly, wrong. ``Christians need to repudiate Holocaust'' would indicate that the column was about denying the Holocaust.
What I wrote about was the need for Christians to repudiate, or disown, the evil of anti-Semitism, which led to the Holocaust. I regret the error but have no control over the headlines. Next time you have a gripe about the headline, take it to Public Editor Lynn Feigenbaum at 446-2475. Still feel free to send gripes about the stuff under the headline to me.
Now, for the Reader Response.
From Madeline Nevala of Virginia Beach: ``I am Jewish . . . and it brought tears to my eyes for me to see a Christian who feels the way you do. Not very many Christians have I heard or seen who would come forward like you did to say that a little part of the responsibility of the Holocaust was because of them. Certainly they should repudiate all the things that were done to the Jews during that time, and I agree very, very much with the idea that Christian churches should teach the people in their congregations that the Holocaust did take place and that some Christians were partly responsible and that we should never let it happen again. If this happens, then we can all excuse each other and live together in peace and harmony.''
From Hildegarde Zeitlin of Virginia Beach: ``As a member of the afternoon discussion group of Beth Chaverim (Reform congregation), I want to thank you for your article. In not repudiating the atrocities of the Holocaust, mass murders and ethnic cleansing continues in many places. We, as Jews, must do all we can in our power to stop those sufferings all over the world. The churches have great influence over people and must educate their members, telling the true stories and not inciting hatred. Beth Chaverim has been very fortunate to have found benevolent Roman Catholics at the Church of Ascension who have allowed us to share their facilities for 10 years. For this we are indeed grateful to them and to Bishop Sullivan.''
From William E. Fogle of Chesapeake: ``Christians have a deep and profound love of Israel and the Jewish people. Many Christians lost their lives attempting to protect the Jewish people during World War II. Adolf Hitler and his followers were not Christians, nor is anyone who blames the Jews for Jesus' death. To blame Christians, in any way, for the Holocaust is as illogical and irresponsible as blaming the Jews for Jesus' death.
From Thomas Roper of Virginia Beach: ``As long as some Christians are oblivious to the connection (between the Christian evangelical idea of salvation and anti-Semitism), anti-Semitism will exist. Christians cannot gloss over the distinct anti-Judaic stance of some verses in the Christian scriptures. When this gloss is ignored, anti-Semitism will occur. . . . Anti-Semitism will exist as long as some Christians believe that they have a superior relationship to God, than do Jews.''
From Ronald D. Morrison of Virginia Beach: ``Feel free to `bad mouth' individuals or groups that fail to measure up to their professed Christian religion, but I admonish you to never again suggest that the Church of Jesus Christ is responsible for the Holocaust or any other atrocities! . . . My reading of history tells me that it was not Christianity at fault in the Holocaust but some of its professed believers. My reading of Scripture tells me that it was not the Jews at fault in Jesus' death but a few members of a ruling elite. . . . As a `born again' Christian, I can no more condone anti-Semitism than I can anti-Christianity.''
From Gina Elliott of Norfolk: ``I had no idea. You gave me a lot to think about. Maybe you could suggest ways individual people could help.''
Columnist's Note: Great idea, Gina. Here are just a few suggestions for Christians, or other non-Jews, who would like to combat anti-Semitism using the tragic lesson of the Holocaust.
Call the local Holocaust Commission. The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, 489-8040 (ask for Betsy Karotkin), has a Holocaust Commission that uses information about the Holocaust to teach churches, schools and individuals how to fight bigotry, discrimination and anti-Semitism. This is the single best resource I know for such information.
Visit a local synagogue for worship. Also, feel free to contact a local rabbi with questions. The Yellow Pages lists synagogues, or you can call the United Jewish Federation, 489-8040, for a listing.
Read the Harry James Cargas book ``Reflections of a Post-Auschwitz Christian,'' then suggest to your clergyman that your church offer a worship service as outlined at the end of the Cargas book. Also, suggest that your church sponsor a workshop or class addressing the issue of anti-Semitism.
See ``Schindler's List.'' This is a profound film. See it with your family (children 14 and older), then discuss it.
Visit the Holocaust Museum. If I had a magic wand, I would make it mandatory for every American man, woman and teenager to visit this place. While there, make sure you see the film about anti-Semitism. Don't rush your visit. It is truly a life-changing experience. by CNB