In Night, Elie Wiesel challenges his belief in God at Auschwitz. Wiesel is constantly surrounded by some of the most gruesome acts of inhumanity in our entire history. He thinks if God can let something happen like such a large genocide then what his presence really for. Wiesel went into Auschwitz with no struggle at all with his faith. He was once asked why he prays and he replied, "Why did I pray? ... Why did I live? Why did I breathe?" There is definitely a struggle with his God but it is clear that he never gives up on God. What kind of faith would he really have if he never questioned it?
Wiesel is deep in one of the worst death camps ever. His family is torn apart and people he knows are dying all around him. He has to see his own father cry and question his existence. He can not believe that all this cruelty can reflect the presence of a God. If God is omniscient and can do whatever he wants why would he let such te
Another important part of the book is where a fellow Jew is being hung for collaborating with the Nazis. It is a young boy who is being hung and this is one of the real low points for Elie. Wiesel's youth is leaving along with some of his security with God. Someone asked, "Where is God? Where is he now?" and Wiesel says, "Where is he? Here he is... He is hanging here on the gallows." His faith in God is being torn away just like the boy who is hanging in the gallows. Before these times Wiesel thought that God was everywhere and that God touched every part of his life. He thought that God was good so life was good. This story resembles the Book of Job where how can you really test someone's faith unless they are put into the worst of conditions. Just like Job Elie holds on to his beliefs in God but just questions them considerably.
Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever.
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