Bonhoeffer II
Other interesting things I learned in reading the book Bonhoeffer. The Lutheran Church in Germany was State sponsored. Church ministers get a stipend from the State. When Hitler came into power he appointed as Dr. Muller as Reichbishop. Muller took the oath to be subservient to him and wanted all Lutheran ministers to take that same oath stating loyalty to the Reichfuhrer. Hitler wanted the Church to be supportive of his treatment of the Jews. Dr. Muller did support Hitler and encouraged all ministers to preach against the Jews.
Bonhoeffer realized that the Christan message was being ignored by Reichbishop Muller and started a movement called the "Confessing Church". This group was confessing that Jesus Christ was paramount in their lives and would teach about Jesus instead of the glories of the Third Reich. Only about 20% of Germans went to Church so Hitler was not greatly concerned except that he was irritated that everyone did not accept him. When Hitler began to exterminate the infirm, imbeciles, cripples and deformed there were more ministers that joined the Confessing Church. Even more joined after "Crystal Night" in which the Nazis broke store windows and beat-up Jews that resisted in any way. It was Muller's task to keep these ministers in line and not directly oppose the Reichfuhrer. Muller attempted to get all minister to sign a solemn oath to Hitler. Any new ministers were absolutely required to take this oath or ordination would be refused.
At first, Muller would send representatives to the churches to ensure the preaching was proper. Later it was the SS that monitored the sermons. Any sermon that went counter to Hitler's speeches was cause for being sent to a concentration camp.
Abortion was forbidden (a crime against the State) to all Aryan women. Abortion. was encouraged for Jews as was sterilization. If a Jew had sexual relations with an Aryan woman he was subject to prison and even the death penalty.
Children in school were encouraged by their teachers to tell about any activity in the home that went contrary to the teaching of the Reichfuhrer. Praise was given to any child that turned in their parents. This caused parents to be very cautious in what they said in the home.
Bonhoeffer realized that the Christan message was being ignored by Reichbishop Muller and started a movement called the "Confessing Church". This group was confessing that Jesus Christ was paramount in their lives and would teach about Jesus instead of the glories of the Third Reich. Only about 20% of Germans went to Church so Hitler was not greatly concerned except that he was irritated that everyone did not accept him. When Hitler began to exterminate the infirm, imbeciles, cripples and deformed there were more ministers that joined the Confessing Church. Even more joined after "Crystal Night" in which the Nazis broke store windows and beat-up Jews that resisted in any way. It was Muller's task to keep these ministers in line and not directly oppose the Reichfuhrer. Muller attempted to get all minister to sign a solemn oath to Hitler. Any new ministers were absolutely required to take this oath or ordination would be refused.
At first, Muller would send representatives to the churches to ensure the preaching was proper. Later it was the SS that monitored the sermons. Any sermon that went counter to Hitler's speeches was cause for being sent to a concentration camp.
Abortion was forbidden (a crime against the State) to all Aryan women. Abortion. was encouraged for Jews as was sterilization. If a Jew had sexual relations with an Aryan woman he was subject to prison and even the death penalty.
Children in school were encouraged by their teachers to tell about any activity in the home that went contrary to the teaching of the Reichfuhrer. Praise was given to any child that turned in their parents. This caused parents to be very cautious in what they said in the home.
posted by Marcel at
9:58 AM
4 Comments:
Regarding your last paragraph, the Obama administration established a web site last week to do exactly the same thing the Nazis did. Although the site is named AttackWatch.com it is not for reporting potential threats to national security. It’s for reporting dissent against President Obama.
See article: http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/126047/obama_for_america_watchdog_website
By
John Beauregard, at 7:18 PM
My dictionary has these as two separate things, must be old.
Dissent....
-verb (used without object)
1
to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withholdassent; disagree (often fol. by from): Two of the justices dissented fromthe majority decision.
2
to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party orgovernment; take an opposing view.
3
to disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an establishedchurch.
Smear....
1
a campaign to tarnish the reputation of a public figure, especially byvilification or innuendo.
Za
By
Anonymous, at 12:21 PM
Marty,
I am confused by your comment. Did you make it because you do not think John knows what dissent means? Did you mean to acknowledge he is correct? Did you mean to say that the government has the right to do this, or not?
By
Marcel, at 1:12 PM
I'm sure John know the difference, but when it involves Obama all throughout and reason go out the window. There is nothing in the web site about dissent,. It's about smears.
By
Anonymous, at 3:16 PM
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