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Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, “National Socialism As Religion”

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Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, “National Socialism As Religion” 5. Jahrgang MBS TEX T E 94 2008 Thomas Schirrmacher National Socialism as Religion BUCER IN S T E M R A I N M A R 2 1 : E P 4 H Pro mundisPro mundis TableInhaltsverzeichnis of Contents ‘Salvation Hitler’ ...................................................................... 3 14 Documents .......................................................................... 3 Research on National Socialism as Religion ............................. 7 Why German Churches Failed to Understand National Socialism ................................. 8 Annotation ............................................................................. 11 The Author ............................................................................. 13 Impressum ............................................................................. 14 This essay was originally published as “National Socialism as Religion”. Global Journal of Classical Theology (Trinity Theological Seminary) 4 (2005) 3: 1ff. An earlier English version was published in the authors book “Love is the Fulfilment of Law: Essays on Ethics” (RVB: Hamburg, 2001). For detailed documentation see: 1. Aufl. 2008 National Socialism as Religion National Socialism as Religion Thomas Schirrmacher Abstract: Provides an overview of National Socialism as a rival religion to Christianity. 14 major documents and research literature prove National Socialism not only to be a political party, but to be a faith in salvation and a future kingdom. There even examples of prayers to Hitler and of plans to esta- blish the Hitler cult as the only religion in Europe once the war was won. ‘Salvation Hitler’ in several ways. We could discuss the roots of Hit ler’s thinking, which lie in Let us have a look at one of the two occult orders and sects2. We could dis- political religions that have been in cuss the parallels between the salvation power on German soil and attempted history of or thodox Chri stianity and of to bring salva tion by the State: National National Socialism. But surely the most Socialism and Communism. impressive argument is the everyday It is impossible to count how many songs, the poems, offi cial rituals and billion times the Germans said ‘Heil lectu res of the Third Reich. Most Nazis Hitler’ during the Third Reich. To did not dis guise or hide the reli gious greet with ‘Heil Hit ler’ was required character of their actions. Let us look at by a strict law, and people were put some samples. into concen tration camps because they refused. But only a few non-Germans realize that ‘Heil’ is the German word 14 Documents for ‘salvation’, which is ex tensively used in the German Bible translations. ‘Sal- Document 1: A Blessing vation Hit ler’ or ‘Salvation by Hitler’ In Cologne, the children receiving was the daily message every German, meals from the Nazi State du ring World including nearly all Christians, preached War II prayed before meal. This prayer to his neighbour daily. Although some follows typi cal German Christian bless- tried to explain ‘Heil Hitler’ as wishing ings before meal and is originally writ- salvation for Hitler1, the official mean- ten in rhyme: ing was clear: Hitler is the salvation for Germany and for the world. “Fold your hands, bow your head and That ‘Salvation Hitler’ was only a think about Adolf Hitler. small, but revealing part of the Social- He gives us our daily bread and helps us ist message and practice of a new anti- out of every misery.”3 Christian reli gion can be demonstrated PRO M UNDI S 3 Thomas Schirrmacher Document 2: A Blessing of the united trade unions, Robert Ley, Another children’s prayer by the said: Nationalsocialist Welfare Office for Children’s Meals in Cologne: “Once your heart is branded with the swastika, “Before the meal: You hate any other cross! Fuehrer, my Fuehrer, given of God, If you identify yourself with your nation, Protect me and keep my life. You laugh at redeemer cranks. Thou has saved Germany from the Beware anyone one who demands: greatest of need ‘Whosoever will come after me, let him I thank you today for my daily bread. deny himself’ Stay by me, don’t leave me, ‘What the Nazarine demands is our Fuehrer, my Fuehrer, my faith and my demise...’6 light. After the meal: Document 5: A Confession I thank thee for this food, The same Robert Ley proclaimed in Defender of youth, defender of age! his personal ‘confession’ (‘Glaubens- Thou hast care, I know, but no fear, bekenntnis’): Thou art with me by day and by night. “Adolf Hitler! We are united with you Lay thy head quiet in my lap, alone! We want to re new our vow in this Art safe, my Fuehrer, then thou art hour: On this earth we believe only in great.. Adolf Hitler. We believe that National Hail my Fuehrer!”4 Socialism alone is the saving faith for our people. We believe that there is a Document 3: A Statement Lord-God in Heaven, who created us, In a lecture at a course for the lead- who leads us, who directs us and who ers of the youth of the German States blesses us visibly. And we believe that it was stated: this Lord-God sent Adolf Hitler to us, “National Socialism is a religion, so that Germany may be come a basis born out of blood and race, not a politi- for all eternity.”7 cal world view. It is the new, only true religion, born out of a Nordic spirit and Document 6: Song an Arian soul. The religions still exi st- A widely used song by the ‚Reichsju- ing must disap pear as soon as possible. gendführer’, the Fuehrer of youth in If they do not dis solve themselves the Nazi Germany, Baldur von Schirach: State must destroy them.”5 “Before thee, my Fuehrer Document 4: An Official Poem Though thousands may stand before The ‘Confession of Faith’ of the thee, ‘Reichsarbeitsführer’, the Nazi Chief 4 MBS TEX T E 94 National Socialism as Religion each feels thine eye on himself alone and Document 8: Song thinks, The official song of the Hitlerjugend his own hour has come, (‘Youth of Hitler’) at the Reichsparteitag when thou sees the depths of his soul. 1934: In those few minutes in thy presence, we would open every door to thee, “We are Hitler’s joyous youth, all thoughts we lift to thee, Why need we Christian virtue!, that thou correct and improve. Our Fuehrer Adolf Hitler So good art thou and so great; Is always our redeemer! so strong and infinitely pure No wicked priest can hinder us, To thee we reveal without deceit our To sense that we are Hitler’s children; hearts’ innocence. We follow not Christ but Horst Wessel, None depart from thee with empty Away with incense and holy water!”10 hands, if thine eyes have touched him with Document 9: Song their steely gaze. Song by Ernst Leibl: We know that thou proclaimeth con- stantly: “We lift our hands in our direst need. I am with you – and you belong to Lord, send us the Fuehrer, to avert our me!”8 doom with powerful command. Awaken our hero, to have mercy on his Document 7: Song people, who walk in darkness, Another widely used song of the Sold and betrayed into enemy hand.”11 Reichsjugendführer: Document 10: Poem “How often we heard the sound of thy voice and listened silently, “God We see no God with long beard folding our hands, as every word pierced And cane in his hand. the depth of our souls. We see only the work of the creator We know it, one day the end will In our German Fatherland. come, We see no Jewish God, and free us from force and from need. Who elected that people. What is a year when the era shall turn?! We believe in no divine contracts, Where is a law that will stifle our faith, Reported in the old Book. the pure faith you have bestowed, We see no God in the daily crimes, that beats as our hearts and guides our Committed by His people, existence. We see God in His acts, My Fuehrer, thou alone art the way When He gives Germans bread and and the goal!”9 work. We do not believe in God’s Words PRO M UNDI S 5 Thomas Schirrmacher We do not believe in God’s Book approach. Gray clamour huddles at the We believe that man is closest to God in end of the world. The Fuehrer arises! his deeds.”12 He raises his hand to eternal salute. His heart beats the heartbeat of his Document 11: Poem people Poem by Max Storsberg: His step is our prayer ... He arises and stands shrouded in mira- “Wherever our banner waves, cles. The Gospel of Germany is preached, He burns with the faith of his com- There stand our altars, rades. No priestly ordination has more There blossoms our faith in you, eternal power than the silent, stonelike prayer Germany, of the man in whose being the nation There the deep fountains of our hearts is moved. The vow we make here is our surge to flow towards the eternity before prayer to the creator! God’s throne.”13 May our banner wave! Let it be hoisted, for it is our German high altar! The Document 12: Order of Ceremony standard bearers rejoice: What is death, Instructions for the central memorial when you command us to live, O Ger- ceremony at the Munich Field Marshal many!”14 Hall: Document 13 “National Socialist Worship The high SS officer Schulz stated in a On these steps to the Hall of the Field lecture called “Ours is the kingdom and Marshals, to which we make pilgrim- the power and the glory”15: age, once stood a sacrament of battle, In this, its only cathedral, Germany, may “I do not want to become guilty of blas- stand only those who carve their moti- phemy, but I ask: Who was greater, vation deep into their deeds.
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