I don't know about "pious" equaling the highest values of our society. Indeed, I tend to find that the more pious people are, the more likely they are to be literalist about Broze Age moral ideals that I find morally repugnant.
On the other hand, I will concede that to the degree a Christian follows the teachings of Jesus (and less of the "add-ons" by Paul and the Old Testament barbarity), the more I think they match the "highest ideals" of Western civilization.
I don't think PT is referring to individuals who defied Nazism based on their beliefs, but the fact that without the specific version of Christian culture in Germany, which had a long history (like much of Europe) of hatred and oppression toward the Jews, it would not have been as easy for Hitler to play on those principles to justify the things he did to them.
On the other hand, I will concede that to the degree a Christian follows the teachings of Jesus (and less of the "add-ons" by Paul and the Old Testament barbarity), the more I think they match the "highest ideals" of Western civilization.
I don't think PT is referring to individuals who defied Nazism based on their beliefs, but the fact that without the specific version of Christian culture in Germany, which had a long history (like much of Europe) of hatred and oppression toward the Jews, it would not have been as easy for Hitler to play on those principles to justify the things he did to them.
A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.