I recently watched the movie Valkyrie and ended it in silent tears. For those of you who haven't seen the film, it deals with World War II Germany and some of the heroes who tried to put an end to Hitler's horrific government. The men and women who orchestrated this assassination attempt were German. They loved their country and died defending it. But they died, and Hitler lived on after them.
A question lingered in my mind as the credits rolled. Was it worth it? Most would say these heroes were unsuccessful. Yes, they gave their lives for a cause they believed in, but they failed to remove Hitler from power. The enemy of Germany and the world triumphed over them. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. Was it worth their lives? I believe it was.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie was spoken by Major-General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh) as he tried to persuade Colonel Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) to join what might have become a revolution. He said, "We have to show the world that not all of us are like him. Otherwise, this will always be Hitler's Germany." I don't know how true to history the film is or if Tresckow ever spoke those words. However, his cinematic representation certainly made a point.
Did these German revolutionaries succeed, then? They did. They did because today I am inspired by their courage. They succeeded because true heroes never die, even if they are not as well-remembered as they deserve, and they succeeded because the country they loved is doubtless stronger and freer today than it would have been without them. And the truth I take away from their tale is that if we live well enough that we inspire others to live similarly, it matters not whether we succeed or fail in our own plans; we have won victory for good. Hitler's triumph, like any triumph of evil, was not permanent.
I'd appreciate your thoughts and opinions on this. Do you see things the way I do, or do you disagree? Were the heroes of Operation Valkyrie successful? Was it worth their lives? Help me think about this topic from fresh angles. Thank you!
My favorite quote from the film:
ReplyDeleteLook them in the eye. They'll remember you.
Thanks for posting.
I love your insight! Daily we are confronted with evil, sometimes in profound ways (e.g., Hitler) or more often in subtle ones (e.g., Twilight series). When we walk in the Light, we act as salt preserving through God's goodness. All these acts work together to keep society from utter moral decay. Hitler's Germany didn't become corrupt overnight as Rome didn't fall into depravity in a single moment. I believe you are so correct when you indicate that their resistance to evil was right - even if death was the result. We've no indication that their resistance was in response to a love of God; but, surely it was in response to a desire to do right. However, some may question resisting any authority since Romans 13:1 indicates “…the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” What do you think?
ReplyDelete[BERLIN (AFP) – Germany's attempt to create a multi-cultural society has failed completely, Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the weekend, calling on the country's immigrants to learn German and adopt Christian values.
ReplyDeleteMerkel weighed in for the first time in a blistering debate sparked by a central bank board member saying the country was being made "more stupid" by poorly educated and unproductive Muslim migrants.
"Multikulti", the concept that "we are now living side by side and are happy about it," does not work, Merkel told a meeting of younger members of her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party at Potsdam near Berlin.
"This approach has failed, totally," she said, adding that immigrants should integrate and adopt Germany's culture and values.
"We feel tied to Christian values. Those who don't accept them don't have a place here," said the chancellor.
"Subsidising immigrants" isn't sufficient, Germany has the right to "make demands" on them, she added, such as mastering the language of Goethe and abandoning practices such as forced marriages.]
Someone influenced Chancellor Merkel, and she's already being demonized in the main stream media because of that influence. Hurray for enduring influences for good. Don't expect to be praised for your convictions.