I bought The Rise and Fall of the Third Riech on audiobook and have been making my way through it. I just got the part where the author describes the persecution of Catholics and Christians before the war. While there was some understanding between the Catholics and the Nazis at first, Hitler betrayed the terms agreed upon himself and Pope Pious shortly after agreeing to them, to which Pious publically and vocally called out the German leader. The protestant sects were a bit more split. Some opposed the Nazi's but didn't have the power to do anything and a large amount actually welcomed the Nazi ideas of racial theory and called for a quasi-state protestant religion. The author then went on to try and explain the history of Germany and anti-semitism as it wasn't anything new when Hitler took power.
He started off with Martin Luther, which due to my ignorance of history, I had no idea how pervasive and shocking where his anti-semetic jews.
He wrote a treatise on it called On the Jews and their Lies.
Before this, I had only heard about what he did to the Catholic church and then what he did for the peasant class. Anyways, this sentiment carried on far after his death and a lot of what he called the authorities to do, Hitler himself actually did.
I have no questions or statements on this topic except to welcome further clarification on history. I was just shocked at learning this as it went completely against the caricature of Luther I had in my head.
He started off with Martin Luther, which due to my ignorance of history, I had no idea how pervasive and shocking where his anti-semetic jews.
He wrote a treatise on it called On the Jews and their Lies.
Quote:
"First, to set fire to their synagogues or schools This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians "
"Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed.
"Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing, and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them."
"Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb "
"Fifth, I advise that safe-conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. For they have no business in the countryside "
"Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them "
"Seventh, I recommend putting a flail, an ax, a hoe, a spade, a distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow But if we are afraid that they might harm us or our wives, children, servants, cattle, etc., then let us emulate the common sense of other nations such as France, Spain, Bohemia, etc., then eject them forever from the country "
Before this, I had only heard about what he did to the Catholic church and then what he did for the peasant class. Anyways, this sentiment carried on far after his death and a lot of what he called the authorities to do, Hitler himself actually did.
I have no questions or statements on this topic except to welcome further clarification on history. I was just shocked at learning this as it went completely against the caricature of Luther I had in my head.