Question:
Does the movie Downfall not tell the historical truth about Hitler and Christianity?
2013-09-06 07:13:24 UTC
We know that Hitler was a devout Catholic, and while the film was overall very detailed and well made, I can't help but wonder that it has missed out on Hitler's Christian views.

- Not once do we see Hitler pray throughout the movie.
- Hitler and Eva Braun's marriage did not have any mention of Christ in it.
- Hitler calls compassion a "primal sin". This contradicts with the Christian ideal of compassion.

Note that I am basing this on the official English subtitles, which I have heard good things about in terms of accuracy.
Four answers:
imacatholic2
2013-09-07 13:19:47 UTC
Although Hitler was raised in a Catholic family, he turned away from Christianity and toward Paganism at an early age.



In the February 1931, the Conference of German Bishops excommunicated all leaders and active members of the Nazi Party and all Catholics who joined the Nazi Party.(including Adolph Hitler).

http://www.zenit.org/article-28937?l=english

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/archives-show-church-excommunicated-nazis

http://www.ptwf.org/



In addition, Hitler was working on setting up a new Pagan Nazi religion called the "National Reich Church" and outlawing all other religions. The new religion's 30 point program included:

1. The National Reich's Church of Germany categorically claims the exclusive right and the exclusive power to control all churches within the borders of the Reich; it declares these to be national churches

5. The National Reich Church is determined to exterminate irrevocably and by every means the strange and foreign Christian faiths imported into Germany in the ill-omened year 800.

13. The National Reich Church demands immediate cessation of the publishing and dissemination of the Bible in Germany as well as the publication of Sunday papers, pamphlets, publications and books of a religious nature.

14. The National Reich Church has to take severe measures in order to prevent the Bible and other christian publications being imported into Germany.

15. The National Reich Church declares that to it, and therefore to the German nation, it has been decided that the Fuhrer's "Mein Kampf" is the greatest of all documents. It is conscious that this book contains and embodies the purest and truest ethics for the present and future life of our nation.

16. The National Reich Church has made it its sacred duty to use all its energy to popularize the coeternal "Mein Kampf" and to let every German live and complete his life according to this book.

18. The National Reich Church will clear away from its altars all crucifixes, Bibles and pictures of Saints.

19. On the altars there must be nothing but "Mein Kampf", which is to the German nation and therefore to God the most sacred book, and to the left of the altar a sword.

22. The National Reich Church repudiates the christening of German children, particularly the christening with water and the Holy Ghost.

24. The National Reich Church abolishes confirmation and religious education as well as the communion the religious preparation for the communion.

30. On the day of its foundation, the Christian cross must be removed from all churches, cathedrals and chapels within the Reich and its colonies and it must be superseded by the only unconquerable symbol of Germany the "Hakenkreuz" (swastika).



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reich_Church

"Reich Church Plan is Assailed Here," New York Times, January 3, 1942 http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D1FFD3D58167B93C6A9178AD85F468485F9



With love in Christ.
stop eating people, dammit
2013-09-06 07:23:43 UTC
> Does the movie Downfall not tell the historical truth about Hitler and Christianity?



I don't remember Christianity being mentioned at all in that movie, but it's been a while since I've seen it.



I just wanted to say that it's a very good movie, and I'd highly recommend it. Most people are only familiar with it to the extent they've seen the "Hitler rant" spoof videos on YouTube and other such places.
2013-09-06 07:15:23 UTC
Hitler wasn't that devout a Catholic. Like the master politician he was, he could easily and believably adapt, being against the church with one crowd, and being quite pious when talking to others. In this regard, he was not consistent.
2013-09-06 07:20:21 UTC
Dass weiss Ich nicht bescheid


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