Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer a good man?

Answer 1

In deciding whether Dietrich Bonhoeffer was good, consider the following. Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who was imprisoned in 1943 and indeed put to death by the Nazis ( by Himmler's order) in 1945 for plotting to kill Hitler. This plot was made more urgent by, in particular, the 'Krystalnacht' in 1938 which saw widespread destruction of Jewish worship places and businesses, and the capture and imprisonment of 35 000 Jews by the Nazi's. He had been opposed to National Socialism from the outset as it stood against the basic values important to him - truth, decency and justice - and he was deeply ashamed of his fellow countrymen. He reportedly earned a great deal of respect in prison - even from his guards who smuggled his papers out of prison, some of which now exist in the form of Letters and Papers From Prison. He is reported to have been quite fearless in the face of certain death, being motivated by a strong sense of what was for the greater good.

Answer 2

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was widely regarded as a good man due to his commitment to justice, resistance against oppressive regimes, and his willingness to sacrifice his own life for his beliefs. His actions during the Nazi era, including his involvement in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, exemplify his courage and moral character. However, whether someone is considered "good" is subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives and values.