Dietrich Bonhoeffer Was Hanged On April 9, 1945 For Standing His Ground & Standing Up To Hitler. Thanks To Him For His Courage & Light.

"From the beginning of the Nazi power grab in 1933 Bonhoeffer helped lead the protest against Hitler and his regime. . . . Most congregations and pastoral leaders ignored the political drama, taking care of their pastoral duties, preferring not to stain their spiritual activities with secular or political concerns. Others embraced the nationalism and pride of the Nazi movement, giving it church blessing.
Bonhoeffer refused invitations to teach from the safety of Union Seminary in New York City, and returned to Germany to continue to work with the resistance. With compelling passion, this pacifist theologian became convinced that it was a lesser evil to participate in a plot to assassinate Hitler than not to do so. Documents linked him to a failed attempt on Hitler's life, and Bonhoeffer was taken to Buchenwald. On this day in 1945, he was hanged.
Bonhoeffer stands in a noble line of those who have spoken truth to power in the name of God. We need more people like him in our nation right now. The church and its leaders, including me, have been too silent during the past seven years, as we have witnessed an unprecedented assault on on our Constitution, on the separation of powers, and on the rule of domestic and international law by this President and administration. If you haven't seen the PBS Frontline documentary "Bush's War," I encourage you to do so. It is available for viewing on-line at 1. pbs.org.
After watching the chronicle of the manipulation of power that has surrounded the White House in its pursuit of war, I found myself deeply thankful for George Bush. I was grateful that he is not a person of charismatic power and deep malignant intent. He is not like Hitler. Thank God. The fearful realization came to me as I watched the documentary, that George Bush had the kind of people around him who showed themselves willing to manipulate truth and the rule of law to such an extent that they might have successfully stripped our nation of its constitutional protections in a way not unlike Germany of the 1930's. How awful things might have become had they been led by someone with more evil and competency. We still must be vigilant to prevent this flawed and troubling administration from provoking another war, with Iran, but thankfully the air is coming out of their balloon and light is being cast on darkness.
Bonhoeffer, Moses, John the Baptist and Jesus have shown us the cost of discipleship and the example of speaking truth to power. May we be faithful to confront the powers and principalities in our day and to embrace the Reign of God with courage and clarity." Speaking Truth to Power by Lowell Grisham on Lowell's Blog.
Thanks to Rev. Sandi & Jenny for the tip.
See, also, Ethics and the Will of God, The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippet.