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Utilitarianism

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Other Churches and Faiths › Utilitarianism

The question

One may argue that just as Herod was part of philosophy, so, could Hitler be taken as God’s will. However, killing Hitler could have saved the lives of million Jews. Would not the consequences of the act be one of love?

The answer

If we have faith in the Lord and truly believe that "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28) we will not question why God allowed someone like Hitler to do what he had done. We do realize today that the Hitler experience has changed the whole worldview on racism and anti-Semitism. Even though racism still exists, it is no longer tolerated as before. Hitler is no different from Diocletian, and we see God allowing the martyrdom of millions of Christians. According to Utilitarianism, killing Diocletian would have been an act of love. It would have saved God's people, His children the believers yet God allowed it so that the Church would grow and become stronger through persecution.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 379 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.