Holocaust

The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored, persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945. The height of the persecution and mass murder took place during World War II (1939-1945). Although the Allied forces were aware of these events, intervening was not considered a priority.  

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers’ Party) took power in 1933, quickly turning Germany from a weak democracy into a one-party dictatorship. Anti-Semitic measures (the outworking of prejudice and hatred against Jews) were introduced between 1933 and 1945. They became increasingly more radical even though the Jews had fought and died for Germany in World War 1 (1914-1918).

Aggressively Nazi Germany waged a war of territorial conquest in Europe invading and occupying neighbouring countries. In September 1939, the invasion of Poland led Great Britain and France to declare war, and World War 2 began which continued until the Allies defeated Nazi Germany in May 1945. As Germany’s territory grew, millions of Jews came under Nazi control and were forced to labour for the German war effort until they died of overwork, starvation or killed. The Jews have had a long history of being discriminated against, often stemming from religious differences, and blamed for issues like plagues or economic hardship, even though unfounded. Early Christianity portrayed Jews as responsible for the death of Jesus, creating animosity between the two faiths. The Jews were identified by Jewish community member lists, parish records of Protestant and Catholic churches (for converted Jews), government tax records, police records, and local citizens.

As the persecution increased it became progressively harder for the Jews to leave and find a place to go. Eventually, nearly two out of every three European Jews were killed using deadly living conditions, brutal mistreatment, mass shootings and gassings, in specially designed killing centres, the most well-known was Auschwitz. Surprisingly some survived through the extraordinary convergence of circumstances, choices, help from others (Jewish and non-Jewish), and sheer luck. 

Before this several million Soviet POWs (Prisoners Of War) had been starved and murdered by the same evil regime.

Boom and her family risked their lives to save numerous Jews from annihilation. Yet most citizens remained silent during the Holocaust with many collaborating with the regime choosing to denounce their Jewish neighbours urged by propaganda and societal pressure. 

Very few of the perpetrators of the holocaust were ever brought to war crimes trials for these horrendous actions.

While God had the power to prevent the Holocaust, He permitted evil individuals to exert a certain level of influence for a limited period. It is important to note that God's allowance does not equate to His endorsement. For instance, Adam was allowed to eat from the forbidden tree, yet God disapproved of his action. Similarly, God's permission for the Holocaust should not be misconstrued as His approval. According to the scriptures, all of God's actions are just, and He is deeply grieved by humanity's sinful nature and hardened hearts (Gen 6:6; Ps 145:17; Jer 17:9; Mk 3:5). Ultimately, the reasons for what God allows remain unknown to us, as His ways and thoughts are infinitely beyond human understanding (Isa 55:8-9). Through faith, we trust that His sovereign plan is the best path to restoring fallen humanity and a cursed world to righteousness and blessing.

See also: anti-Semitism, genocide, hate, Jews, peer pressure, persecution, war, why.