To the Editor:
Aaron Russo's editorial, "A Search for True Religion," [The Dartmouth, Feb. 18] stated that "It's clear from [Dietrich] Bonhoeffer's writings that his faith in Jesus as the Son of God was the motivation for his action" in joining the resistance against the Nazis. Bonhoeffer's efforts were admirable; and he made the supreme sacrifice for what he believed in.
However, another figure from World War II took motivation from his belief in the Christian God. This man was Adolf Hitler. In "Mein Kampf," he wrote: "Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."
I would argue that whatever good Bonhoeffer accomplished in the name of Christ was far outweighed by the evil acts Hitler committed for the same reasons.
What does this tell us about Christianity? It seems that being a Christian and believing that you are performing God's will is not sufficient to make one a moral person. And furthermore, as evidenced by untold numbers of exemplary non-Christians, the Christian faith is obviously not necessary for personal morality.
I think I'll stick with Lennon: "Imagine there's no countries/ It isn't hard to do/ Nothing to kill or die for/ And no religion too/ Imagine all the people/ Living life in peace ..."
