The White Rose

"Everywhere and at all times of greatest trial [women and] men have appeared, prophets and saints who cherished their freedom, who preached the One God and who with [God's] help brought the people to the reversal of their downward course. [Humankind] is free, to be sure, but without the true God [humankind] is defenseless against the principle of evil... We must attack evil where it is strongest, and it is strongest in the power of Hitler... We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will not leave you in peace." (adjusted for gender-inclusivity)

These words appeared on a leaflet in Munich, Germany in 1942. Outraged by the evil works of Hitler's regime and driven by their Christian faith, siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl led a clandestine organization of university students, the White Rose, in confronting the Nazi system and destroying the illusion of unanimous consent among the German people.

This generation is in desperate need of its own White Rose. Yes, the public opinion has turned against the war in Iraq. Yes, people on occasion march or demonstrate against war. But all too often these few return to their normal lives without any consideration of their participation in the systems which fuel the flames of war. Their resistance is nominal. It does not sink into the heart and the spirit.

They return to their stock portfolios, funding the war machine by their very investments. They do not even think of the farm workers who cry out for justice as they eat or for the earth in desperate need of restoration as they drive their SUVs. They choose not to see and help their neighbors in need, choosing instead to blame the government for doing nothing.

Yes, we need our own White Rose. We need more than marches. We need grassroots media freed from the slavery of corporate sponsorship. We need whispers in the dark shadows and shouts from the rooftops announcing the good news of peace and justice and true freedom - not the empty patriotic sentiment, but the freedom of all those whose allegiance is to the kingdom of God.

The evils of power and violence and greed must be stopped. In the days of the White Rose, these evils were found in the Nazi regime. We must take an honest look at ourselves and this nation and confront evil where it will be found. It cost the Scholls their lives. It cost Jesus his life. It may cost our own lives. Nevertheless, this is our calling.

Now is the moment. Now is the time. This is the day of our salvation. Wherever we are, let us begin.