The Netherlands: Protestant church’s declaration of guilt towards the Jews is a historic step

The Dutch Protestant Church is to admit that it helped to ‘sow the seeds’ of anti-Semitism and failed to protect the country’s Jewish population before, during and after the Second World War.

On Sunday, November 8, René de Reuver, the church’s official scribe, will read out a ‘declaration of guilt’ in the Rav Aron Schuster Synagogue in Amsterdam as part of the commemoration of Kristallnacht, the ‘night of broken glass’ in 1938 seen as the moment when the Nazis’ oppression of the Jews tipped over into outright persecution.

Read more at: Protestant church's declaration of guilt towards the Jews is a historic step - DutchNews.nl

Faith: How personal manifestations of Faith can become a source of conflict.

It is always amazing to see how large numbers of people from different religions always feel the need to show, by some outward manifestation, to which religion they belong.

Jews wear the Kippah. Christians often use the Cross around their neck as an ornament, and many Muslim women wear the Burka.

In a sense one can safely say that these public manifestations of Faith have nothing to do with the definition of Faith and as a matter of fact can often  become a source of  conflict.

The definition of Faith is really quite clear: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Or as it is also said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you”.

Maybe something to think about when we talk about Peace on Earth?

EU- Digest

The Netherlands: The "Ten Boom Family Home Museum" in Haarlem - by RM

When tourists visit Amsterdam among one of the favorite spots to visit is the Anne Frank Museum.  

Another similar museum, but far less visited than the Anne Frank museum is the Ten Boom family home museum in Haarlem. It was used as a refuge for fugitive Jews and resistance fighters hunted by the Nazis.

 In 1944 the Nazis arrested this courageous Christian family and all 5 were sent to prison (death) camps. Only Corrie ten Boom survived the Ravensbruck concentration camp near Berlin after the war had ended

In the early 1970's Corrie's book "THE HIDING PLACE" became a best seller and an award winning motion picture. Corrie died on her 91st birthday, April 15, 1983. 

In the Jewish tradition to die on your birthday is a special privilege. Personally I was most touched by what Corrie ten Boom wrote about fear and worry while in the concentration camp, "worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength".

The "Ten Boom Family Home Museum" certainly is a place to visit when in Holland.

Click here for additional information about the Ten Boom Family Museum  

EU-Digest