As the year draws to a close, I want to share a few thoughts about my new book project. The theme is confronting our inner Hitler. So if you can set aside Godwin’s Law for a moment, consider this intriguing idea: do you have an inner Hitler? If so, have you confronted your inner Hitler and removed the force from having power over your life?
70 Years after Hitler’s Death–Mein Kampf
The copyright expires this year, 70 years after the death of Adolf Hitler. His signature work, entitled Mein Kampf, is being re-published by the historical society in Germany. They are taking the initiative to publish a much annotated version, to hopefully spur thoughtful dialogue about the ideology and theology of Hitler. When I read this book, I found much humanity in Hitler, as well as numerous themes that seem to contribute to his dark path. The title means My Struggle. Might our path be chosen in part by our response to our struggles?
Instead of Comparing Enemies to Hitler–Understand Hitler
I find so much of what I read about Hitler and his book to be fascinating. How can we avoid another Hitler without understanding his rise to power? Did you know these interesting facts?
- Hitler ran multiple Presidential campaigns
- Hitler started a youth training club with 14 teenagers that grew to tens of thousands
- Hitler loved art, painting and architecture
- Hitler was adored by millions for his desire to make Germany great again
Share your thoughts…
Is it possible to confront and remove our inner Hitler? Continue the conversation here and on Facebook:
Evil: Confronting our inner Hitler
It’s probably difficult for anyone to openly acknowledge our own “inner Hitler” because of how much evil, harm, pain and atrocities that Hitler did. So the spontaneous response of many might simply be to categorically deny being anything like Hitler.
Yet I have sensed just how much some UBF people despise (hate) anyone who dares to criticize UBF.
Also those who have been hurt/abused by UBF have similar “disgusted” visceral responses, as expressed by this response yesterday to an old article I wrote about some good things Samuel Lee did (http://www.ubfriends.org/2013/12/28/the-good-things-i-saw-samuel-lee-do/):
“Stuff like this truly makes me sick to my stomach. The post says, “Whenever I state anything complimentary about Lee, it is questioned and interpreted in the worst possible light. He is manipulative. He is a power monger (a “machtmensch”). His motive and intent was to enslave you to him and to UBF. Etc. There are elements of TRUTH to this.” —— First of all, every ELEMENT is Truth about what he did and what you posted is only the general MINOR stuff he did. Do you know why he is “questioned and interpreted in the worst possible light”? Because he was the worst example of a man who could easily be legally prosecuted for his intentional negligence and actions that ruined thousands of people’s lives, family relationships, and caused life long psychological trauma. From covering up suicides to sending people to coerce a person to divorce their spouse because of their “disobedience” … is that not enough? You literally Slap everyone in the face that was substantially hurt by him. Next should we have an article about the nice side of Hitler and Sadam? So we should just brush off his serious atrocities as minor instances and just “understandably” remember the good things. Are you kidding me? You list all of the things that are still wrong with the church but fail to realize that the reason WHY all those things are still wrong, is the same reason WHY you felt some type of justification for this post and WHY he is still celebrated at his grave site like he was some great man. You are quick to point out the problems yet passively overlook the culture of a lack of accountability that is the cause of it all. Literally disgusted.”
Ben, I don’t understand why you would springboard into talking about SLee? But since you did, I am not surprised at those kinds of reactions. SLee was a personality cult leader who created a new religious movement where much abuse was tolerated, covered up and even celebrated. People don’t tend to react well to such leaders.
“So the spontaneous response of many might simply be to categorically deny being anything like Hitler.”
Yes I suspect that is our first response: I am nothing like Hitler. But I question whether we even know who Hitler was. What was he seeking? we know how Hitler ended, but how did he begin? Does it matter?
In case anyone is wondering, my new book project will not try to show the good in Hitler. He was evil, through and through. My point is to begin to understand what that evil is and why Hitler chose his evil path.
Hi everyone. Hope you had a blessed Christmas. Best wishes for the New Year.
My key verse for 2016 is Genesis 11:3a:
They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.”
I chose this verse because it sounds completely random.
I won’t draw comparisons between SLee and Hitler. Nor will I compare Donald Trump to Hitler, as others have done.
But in at least one respect, the Donald’s campaign is operating like UBF. They have been appointing people to be local campaign chairs without their knowledge.
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/trump-new-hampshire-chairs-217225
Happy New Year, everyone.
Happy New Year Joe.
I chose Matthew 26:56 as the 2016 key verse for all of ubf.
happy new year!
when I think of inner hitler I think of human desire to be great, like tower of babel/making name for selves:), which leads to “urgent” end justifying “detrimental” means for individual gain
as opposed to spirit desire to be meaningful through collaborating for collective benefit
so figures like hitler, while having some good qualities (artistic interest, organizing abilities), propel into bad (bolstered by others carried away desires/support..)
being half german I’ve also always been intrigued to figure out the ‘hitler psyche’
“when I think of inner hitler I think of human desire to be great”
Good point Mark. Hitler was the face of evil. What needs to be confronted are those who followed him. Hitler gained over 13 million votes, campaigned tirelessly for President and built a crowd of energetic followers who believed in his desire to make Germany great again.
There is much to be learned. 2016 America has all the ingredients of the perfect storm of 1932 Germany.
“being half german I’ve also always been intrigued to figure out the ‘hitler psyche’”
That is precisely what I am doing in my new book, Mark. If you read Mein Kampf (My Struggle) you can get a look into the mind of Hitler.
Hey everyone, I am really excited to have my new book published soon:
“Evil: Confronting Our Inner Hitler”
It has nothing to do with ubf, and yet it has everything to do with ubf.