special guest blogger albert einstein

Being a lover of freedom when the Nazi revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; But, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers, whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; But they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks. Only the Catholic church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for supressing the truth. I never had any special interest in the church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the church alone has had the courage and persistance to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly.

 

Albert Einstein, quoted in Time Magazine, edition of 23rd December 1940.