Religious Aspects Of Nazism

Historians, political scientists and philosophers have studied Nazism with a specific focus on its religious and pseudo-religious aspects. It has been debated whether Nazism would constitute a political religion, and there has also been research on the millenarian, messianic, and occult or esoteric aspects of Nazism.

Nazism as a political religion

Before 1980, the writers who alluded to the religious aspects of Nazism included Aurel Kolnai, Raymond Aron, Albert Camus, Romano Guardini, Denis de Rougemont, Eric Voegelin, George Mosse, Klaus Vondung and Friedrich Heer. Voegelin's work on political religion was first published in German in 1938. Emilio Gentile and Roger Griffin, among others, have drawn on his concept.

Nazism and Christianity

The Nazi Party program of 1920 included a statement on religion which was numbered point 24. In this statement, the Nazi party demands freedom of religion (for all religious denominations that are not opposed to the customs and moral sentiments of the Germanic race); the paragraph proclaims the party's endorsement of Positive Christianity. Historians have described this statement as "a tactical measure, 'cleverly' left undefined in order to accommodate a broad range of meanings,"Steigmannn-Gall 2003: 14. and an "ambiguous phraseology." However, Richard Steigmann-Gall in ''The Holy Reich'' holds that, on closer examination, "Point 24 readily provides us with three key ideas in which the Nazis claimed that their movement was Christian": the movement's antisemitism, its social ethic under the phrase ''Gemeinnutz vor Eigennutz'' (literally, "public benefit before private benefit") and its attempt to bridge the confessional divide between Catholicism and Protestantism in Germany.

This is a topic of some controversy. Conway holds that ''The Holy Reich'' has broken new ground in the examination of the relation between Nazism and Christianity,Review by John S. Conway
H-Net despite his view that "Nazism and Christianity were incompatible." Conway claims that Steigmann-Gall "is undeniably right to point out how much Nazism owed to German Christian" concepts and only considers his conclusion as "overdrawn".

Hitler admired Martin Luther, the leading figure of the Protestant Reformation. While Luther's antisemitism has been identified as an inspiration for Nazism, surfacing in 1930s works of propaganda, including an antisemitic children's book, others suggest that its role is less significant. For example, Hans J. Hillerbrand asserts that the focus on Luther's influence on Nazism's antisemitism ignores other factors in German history.Hillerbrand, Hans J. "Martin Luther," ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', 2007. Hillerbrand writes: "His strident pronouncements against the Jews, especially toward the end of his life, have raised the question of whether Luther significantly encouraged the development of German anti-Semitism. Although many scholars have taken this view, this perspective puts far too much emphasis on Luther and not enough emphasis on the larger peculiarities of German history."

The Nazis were aided by theologians, such as Dr. Ernst Bergmann. Bergmann, in his work, ''Die 25 Thesen der Deutschreligion'' (Twenty-five Points of the German Religion), expounded the theory that the Old Testament and portions of the New Testament of the Bible were inaccurate. He proposed that Jesus was of Aryan origin, and believed that Hitler was the new messiah.

After Nazi Germany surrendered at the end of World War II in Europe, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services published a report which was titled "The Nazi Master Plan: The Persecution of the Christian Churches".
Historians and theologians generally agree that the objective of the Nazi policy towards religion was to remove explicitly Jewish content from the Bible (i.e., the Old Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, and the Pauline Epistles), transforming the Christian faith into a new religion, completely cleansed from any Jewish element and conciliate it with Nazism, ''Völkisch'' ideology and ''Führerprinzip''.

Alfred Rosenberg was influential in the development of Positive Christianity. In '' The Myth of the Twentieth Century'', he wrote that:
* Saint Paul was responsible for the destruction of the racial values which existed in Greek and Roman culture;
* the dogma of hell which was advanced in the Middle Ages destroyed the free Nordic spirit;
* original sin and grace are Oriental ideas which corrupt the purity and strength of Nordic blood;
* the Old Testament and the Jewish race are not an exception and one should return to the Nordic peoples' fables and legends;
* Jesus was not Jewish, because he had Nordic blood which he had inherited from his Amorite ancestors.

Nazism and occultism

Outside a purely academic discourse, public interest mainly concerns the relationship between Nazism and occultism, and the relationship between Nazism and Christianity. The interest in the first relationship is obvious from the modern popular theory of Nazi occultism. The persistent idea that the Nazis were directed by occult agencies has been dismissed by historians as modern cryptohistory.

There are many works that speculate about Nazism and occultism, the most prominent being '' The Morning of the Magicians'' (1960) and '' The Spear of Destiny'' (1972). From the perspective of academic history, however, most of these works are "cryptohistory". Notable exceptions are ''Der Mann, der Hitler die Ideen gab'' (The man who gave Hitler the ideas) by Wilfried Daim (1957), ''Urania's children'' by Ellic Howe (1967) and ''The Occult Establishment'' by James Webb (1976). Aside from these works, historians did not consider the question until the 1980s. Due to the popular literature on the topic, "Nazi 'black magic' was regarded as a topic for sensational authors in pursuit of strong sales." In the 1980s, two Ph.D. theses were written about the topic. Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke published '' The Occult Roots of Nazism'' (1985) based on his thesis, and the German librarian and historian Ulrich Hunger's thesis on rune-lore in Nazi Germany (''Die Runenkunde im Dritten Reich'') was published in the series ''Europäische Hochschulschriften'' (also 1985).

Goodrick-Clarke's book ''The Occult Roots...'' is not only considered "without exception"As mentioned, preface of the German Edition (2004), written by H. T. Hakl to be the pioneering work on Ariosophy, but also the "definitive book" on the topic. The term 'Ariosophy' refers to an esoteric movement in Germany and Austria of the 1900s to 1930s influenced by the Western esoteric tradition, thereby falling under Goodrick-Clarke's definition of occultism. Ideologically, it was remarkably similar to Nazism. According to Goodrick-Clarke, the Ariosophists wove occult ideas into the ''völkisch'' ideology that existed in Germany and Austria at the time. Ariosophy shared the racial awareness of ''völkisch'' ideology, but also drew upon a notion of root races, postulating locations such as Atlantis, Thule and Hyperborea as the original homeland of the Aryan race (and its "purest" branch, the Teutons or Germanic peoples).
The Ariosophic writings described a glorious ancient Germanic past, in which an elitist priesthood "expounded occult-racist doctrines and ruled over a superior and racially pure society." The downfall of this imaginary Golden Age was explained as the result of the interbreeding between the master race and the ''untermenschen'' (lesser races).
The "abstruse ideas and weird cults f Ariosophyanticipated the political doctrines and institutions of the Third Reich", but direct influences are sparse: with the exception of Karl Maria Wiligut, no evidence has been found that prominent Ariosophists directly influenced Nazism.

Religious beliefs of leading Nazis

Within a large movement like Nazism, it may not be especially shocking to discover that individuals could embrace different ideological systems that would seem to be polar opposites. The religious beliefs of even the leading Nazis diverged strongly.

The difficulty for historians lies in the task of evaluating not only the public but also the private statements of the Nazi politicians. Steigmann-Gall, who intended to do this in his study, points to such people as Erich Koch (who was not only Gauleiter of East Prussia and '' Reichskommissar'' of Reichskommissariat Ukraine but also the elected praeses of the East Prussian provincial synod of the Evangelical Church of the old-Prussian Union) and Bernhard Rust as examples of Nazi politicians who also professed to be Christian in private.

Hitler's religious views

Hitler's religious beliefs have been a matter of debate; the wide consensus of historians considers him to have been irreligious, anti-Christian, anti-clerical and scientistic.
*Richard Overy; ''The Dictators: Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia''; Allen Lane/Penguin; 2004, pp. 287: "During the War itlerreflected that in the long run, ‘National Socialism and religion will no longer be able to exist together. Both Stalin and Hitler wanted a neutered religion, subservient to the state, while the slow programme of scientific revelation destroyed the foundation of religious myth."
*Richard Overy: ''The Dictators: Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia''; Allen Lane/Penguin; 2004, p. 281: "Hitler believed that all religions were now 'decadent'; in Europe it was the 'collapse of Christianity that we are now experiencing'. The reason for the crisis was science."
* Richard J. Evans; ''The Third Reich at War''; Penguin Press; New York 2009, p. 547: wrote that Hitler believed that in the long run, National Socialism and religion would not be able to co-exist and repeatedly stressed that Nazism was a secular ideology, founded on modern science: "Science, he declared, would easily destroy the last remaining vestiges of superstition". Germany could not tolerate the intervention of foreign influences such as the Pope and "Priests, he said, were 'black bugs', 'abortions in black cassocks'".
*Alan Bullock, ''Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives'', Fontana Press 1993, p. 412.: Bullock notes Hitler's use of the rhetoric of "Providence" but concludes that Hitler, Stalin, and Napoleon all shared the same materialist outlook "based on the nineteenth century rationalists' certainty that the progress of science would destroy all myths and had already proved Christian doctrine to be an absurdity"
*'' Hitler's Table Talk'': Hitler is reported as saying: "The dogma of Christianity gets worn away before the advances of science. Religion will have to make more and more concessions. Gradually the myths crumble. All that's left is to prove that in nature there is no frontier between the organic and the inorganic. When understanding of the universe has become widespread, when the majority of men know that the stars are not sources of light but worlds, perhaps inhabited worlds like ours, then the Christian doctrine will be convicted of absurdity." In light of evidence such as his fierce criticism and vocal rejection of the tenets of Christianity,* Alan Bullock; ''Hitler: a Study in Tyranny''; Harper Perennial Edition 1991; p. 219: "Hitler had been brought up a Catholic and was impressed by the organization and power of the Church... utto its teachings he showed only the sharpest hostility... he detested hristianitys ethics in particular".
* Ian Kershaw; ''Hitler: a Biography''; Norton; 2008 ed; pp. 295–297: "In early 1937 itlerwas declaring that 'Christianity was ripe for destruction', and that the Churches must yield to the 'primacy of the state', railing against any compromise with 'the most horrible institution imaginable'"
* Richard J. Evans; ''The Third Reich at War''; Penguin Press; New York 2009, p. 547: Evans wrote that Hitler believed Germany could not tolerate the intervention of foreign influences such as the Pope and "Priests, he said, were 'black bugs', 'abortions in black cassocks'". Evans noted that Hitler saw Christianity as "indelibly Jewish in origin and character" and a "prototype of Bolshevism", which "violated the law of natural selection".
* Richard Overy: ''The Dictators Hitler's Germany Stalin's Russia''; Allen Lane/Penguin; 2004.p 281: " itler'sfew private remarks on Christianity betray a profound contempt and indifference".
* A. N. Wilson; ''Hitler a Short Biography''; Harper Press; 2012, p. 71.: "Much is sometimes made of the Catholic upbringing of Hitler... it was something to which Hitler himself often made allusion, and he was nearly always violently hostile. 'The biretta! The mere sight of these abortions in cassocks makes me wild!'"
* Laurence Rees; ''The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler''; Ebury Press; 2012; p. 135.; "There is no evidence that Hitler himself, in his personal life, ever expressed any individual belief in the basic tenets of the Christian church".
* Derek Hastings (2010). ''Catholicism and the Roots of Nazism''. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 181: Hastings considers it plausible that Hitler was a Catholic as late as his trial in 1924 but writes that "there is little doubt that Hitler was a staunch opponent of Christianity throughout the duration of the Third Reich."
* Joseph Goebbels (Fred Taylor Translation); ''The Goebbels Diaries 1939–41''; Hamish Hamilton Ltd; London; 1982; : In his entry for 29 April 1941, Goebbels noted long discussions about the Vatican and Christianity, and wrote: "The Fuhrer is a fierce opponent of all that humbug".
* Albert Speer; ''Inside the Third Reich: Memoirs''; Translation by Richard and Clara Winston; Macmillan; New York; 1970; p.123: "Once I have settled my other problem," itleroccasionally declared, "I'll have my reckoning with the church. I'll have it reeling on the ropes." But Bormann did not want this reckoning postponed .. he would take out a document from his pocket and begin reading passages from a defiant sermon or pastoral letter. Frequently Hitler would become so worked up... and vowed to punish the offending clergyman eventually... That he could not immediately retaliate raised h a white heat..."
* '' Hitler's Table Talk'': Hitler is reported as saying: "The dogma of Christianity gets worn away before the advances of science. Religion will have to make more and more concessions. Gradually the myths crumble. All that's left is to prove that in nature there is no frontier between the organic and the inorganic. When understanding of the universe has become widespread, when the majority of men know that the stars are not sources of light but worlds, perhaps inhabited worlds like ours, then the Christian doctrine will be convicted of absurdity." numerous private statements to confidants denouncing Christianity as a harmful superstition, and his strenuous efforts to reduce the influence and independence of Christianity in Germany after he came to power, Hitler's major academic biographers conclude that he was irreligious and an opponent of Christianity. Historian Laurence Rees found no evidence that "Hitler, in his personal life, ever expressed belief in the basic tenets of the Christian church".* Alan Bullock; Hitler: a Study in Tyranny; Harper Perennial Edition 1991; p. 219: "Hitler had been brought up a Catholic and was impressed by the organization and power of the Church... utto its teachings he showed only the sharpest hostility... he detested hristianitys ethics in particular."
* Ian Kershaw; Hitler: a Biography; Norton; 2008 ed; pp. 295–297: "In early 1937 itlerwas declaring that 'Christianity was ripe for destruction', and that the Churches must yield to the 'primacy of the state', railing against any compromise with 'the most horrible institution imaginable'"
* Richard J. Evans; ''The Third Reich at War''; Penguin Press; New York 2009, p. 547: Evans wrote that Hitler believed Germany could not tolerate the intervention of foreign influences such as the Pope and "Priests, he said, were 'black bugs', 'abortions in black cassocks'". Evans noted that Hitler saw Christianity as "indelibly Jewish in origin and character" and a "prototype of Bolshevism", which "violated the law of natural selection".
* Richard Overy: ''The Dictators Hitler's Germany Stalin's Russia''; Allen Lane/Penguin; 2004.p 281: " itler'sfew private remarks on Christianity betray a profound contempt and indifference".
* A. N. Wilson; ''Hitler a Short Biography''; Harper Press; 2012, p. 71.: "Much is sometimes made of the Catholic upbringing of Hitler... it was something to which Hitler himself often made allusion, and he was nearly always violently hostile. 'The biretta! The mere sight of these abortions in cassocks makes me wild!'"
* Laurence Rees; ''The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler''; Ebury Press; 2012; p. 135.; "There is no evidence that Hitler himself, in his personal life, ever expressed any individual belief in the basic tenets of the Christian church."
* Derek Hastings (2010). ''Catholicism and the Roots of Nazism''. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 181 : Hastings considers it plausible that Hitler was a Catholic as late as his trial in 1924, but writes that "there is little doubt that Hitler was a staunch opponent of Christianity throughout the duration of the Third Reich."
* Joseph Goebbels (Fred Taylor Translation); The Goebbels Diaries 1939–41; Hamish Hamilton Ltd; London; 1982; : In his entry for 29 April 1941, Goebbels noted long discussions about the Vatican and Christianity, and wrote: "The Fuhrer is a fierce opponent of all that humbug".
* Albert Speer; ''Inside the Third Reich: Memoirs''; Translation by Richard and Clara Winston; Macmillan; New York; 1970; p.123: "Once I have settled my other problem," itleroccasionally declared, "I'll have my reckoning with the church. I'll have it reeling on the ropes." But Bormann did not want this reckoning postponed ... he would take out a document from his pocket and begin reading passages from a defiant sermon or pastoral letter. Frequently Hitler would become so worked up ... and vowed to punish the offending clergyman eventually ... That he could not immediately retaliate raised him to a white heat ..."
* Hitler's Table Talk: "The dogma of Christianity gets worn away before the advances of science. Religion will have to make more and more concessions. Gradually the myths crumble. All that's left is to prove that in nature there is no frontier between the organic and the inorganic. When understanding of the universe has become widespread, when the majority of men know that the stars are not sources of light but worlds, perhaps inhabited worlds like ours, then the Christian doctrine will be convicted of absurdity." Ernst Hanfstaengl, a friend from his early days in politics, says Hitler "was to all intents and purposes an atheist by the time I got to know him". However, historians such as Richard Weikart and Alan Bullock doubt the assessment that he was a true atheist, suggesting that despite his dislike of Christianity, he still clung to a form of spiritual belief.

Hitler was born to a practising Catholic mother and was baptised into the Roman Catholic Church. In 1904, acquiescing to his mother's wish, he was confirmed at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Linz, Austria, where the family lived. According to John Willard Toland, witnesses indicate that Hitler's confirmation sponsor had to "drag the words out of him ... almost as though the whole confirmation was repugnant to him".John Toland; ''Hitler''; Wordsworth Editions; 1997 Edn; pp. 18 Rissmann notes that, according to several witnesses who lived with Hitler in a men's home in Vienna, Hitler never again attended Mass or received the sacraments after leaving home.Rissmann, Michael (2001). ''Hitlers Gott: Vorsehungsglaube und Sendungsbewußtsein des deutschen Diktators''. Zürich, München: Pendo, pp. 94–96; .
Several eyewitnesses who lived with Hitler while he was in his late teens and early-to-mid 20s in Vienna state that he never attended church after leaving home at 18.

In Hitler's early political statements, he attempted to express himself to the German public as a Christian. In public speeches prior to and in the early years of his rule, he described himself as a Christian.Norman H. Baynes, ed. The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922-August 1939, Vol. 1 of 2, pp. 19–20, Oxford University Press, 1942 Hitler and the Nazi party promoted Positive Christianity,from Norman H. Baynes, ed. (1969). The Speeches of Adolf Hitler: April 1922 – August 1939. 1. New York: Howard Fertig. p. 402. which rejected most traditional Christian doctrines such as the divinity of Jesus, as well as Jewish elements such as the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible

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