The Holy Reich: Nazi Conceptions of Christianity, 1919–1945

Much has been written about Hitler, the Nazis, and all the destruction they brought. Much too has been written about the life of Hitler and other Nazis, along with their rise to power. Perhaps to much so. However, in today's world of extremism, both overseas (especially the Middle East) and at home, one of the most overlooked is the connection between the NSDAP and Germany's powerful religion institutions.Germany, which had a powerful Catholic tradition, was also the home of Martin Luther and the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation. The Germans (as well as the Austrians) were a deeply devout people. Coupled with Germany's scientific, musical, mathamatical, and socialogical prominance, how could they have allowed...even actively partisipated...in the rise of a hateful political philosophy which they knew (or, at least, surmised) would lead to the deaths of millions? How could devout Christians, who claim a spiritual hertitage from Jesus, a Jew, justify its actions? How could the Church, while professing love and tolerance, side with evil against the mentally and physically handicapped, gays and gypsies? This book attmepts to answer those questions and more. The book also examines little known but highly influencial individuals both inside and outside of the Nazi Party and churches whose actions lead to one of the most murderious chapters in human history.This book is a must for any one who believes this couldn't happen in a civilized nation like America. It could happen easier than you would think.

In Nazi Conceptions of Christianity, 1919-1945" the author, Richard Steigmann-Gall, shows that the Nazi face of Christianity grew out of 19th Century Protestant liberalism's efforts to accomodate the growing modernism and secularism of Western Europe. But, more importantly it clearly shows that time and again it was the Catholic Church, whether it was the Vatican or on the Diocesan level, that consistantly stood in opposition to Naziism's anti-life programs like the T4 program (the purposeful killing of the mentally ill) and the eradication of Jews, Gypsies, and others. The same cannot be said for most of the Protestant churches in Germany. This is not to say that there were no Catholics involved in even the darkest deeds of National Socialism, but Richard Steigmann-Gall shows that many of the Catholics who embraced Naziism either abandoned their Catholic faith, became quasi-pagans, or converted to Protestantism.Finally, a fair treatment of this dark period of history and the relationship of the Nazi regime and Christianity. We get to see how form Naziism's inception to its demise that some of the Christian churches and the regime went from embracing each other to almost outright hatred. Many surprises in this book that will shatter your preconceived notions about Christianity, Paganism, and Atheism in Nazi Germany. This is a must read for all Roman Catholics who need a good academic response to the calumny of writers like John Cornwell, James Carroll, or Garry Wills. This book should be in every Roman Catholic apologists library.

While I knew some of the basics, this is a well-researched and documented work covering the relationship of the NSDAP to the various Christian confessions in 1930's Germany. Of course some of the history goes back to Luther's schism with the Church, the devastating wars that resulted, Bismarck's Kulturkampf, and so forth.Many today are sensitive about the role the churches, particularly the Evangelical Church, played during the Third Reich and attempt to disown all responsibility. This book explores the roots in 19th century liberal Christian thought and shows some of the concepts did not spring from the NSDAP. It also explains how the pagan influences, while present, were marginalized.The role of the Catholic Church is also examined. Political Catholicism had a strong history, particularly in the Centre Party. In many ways this was a defense against the discrimination of the majority Evangelicals, but it did give the Catholics a history political activity that was unacceptable. There was also the distrust of the Pope that is still seen in some circles in US politics.I am sure the book upsets those who feel every Christian whole-heartedly opposed national socialism, but the facts have to be presented.

Who knew religion could be turned into this. 😳 A bit scholarly but if it wasn’t I would not trust it.... I have lots of books on the holocaust...nothing like this tho. This book is for anyone who wants to go more deeply into religion during this awful time in history and it’s cause for reflection for the present. Cult is a risk.

Too much of the historical scholarship of the Nazi period has reflected propaganda; both the war time propaganda and the cold war anticommunist propaganda. The later in particular "de-nazified" the Germans, and denied that Christians were active supporters of the Nazi Party and the Nazi programs. This was consciously intended to enhance the contrast between the "Christian" West, and the "Godless Commies."Steigmann-Gall has written an excellent study demonstrating how the Christian establishment was actively involved in support of the Nazi movement, and how the entrenched racism and anti-Semitism of National Churches was used by the Nazis. Different readers will approach this book with different interests, and will take from it different lessons. Personally, I am most interested in two features; the facile corruption of the Christian establishment linked as it was to state funding, and the active use of conservative Christian orthodoxy in support of the Nazi program.I recommend anyone concerned- even frightened- by the growing efforts by the USA religious right to destroy the constitutional separation of church and state to read this book.It can happen here.

Excellent item, thank you.

Un saggio che andrebbe letto o, almeno, preso in considerazione. Il testo è lungo e dettagliato, ricchissimo di citazioni bibliografiche (quindi l'autore non si è inventato nulla), l'inglese è abbastanza scorrevole (ma esiste anche la traduzione in italiano). Si legge facilmente, anche se ho trovato ostica la parte del Kirchenkampf. Se il nazismo non avesse avuto effetti così tragici, ci sarebbero parecchi motivi per ridere dei bisticci all'interno del partito. Il finale pone un'importante riflessione. Consigliato!

good