On November 8, 1943; Adolph Hitler gave a speech which was broadcast over The Greater German Radio. My resource text for this speech is “Classic Speeches” (Copyright 1965, Philosophical Library Inc.) Hitler’s speech would not warrant mentioning except that the text reveals what I consider some large presumptions. Before we discuss those, let’s review some background to the setting. “Adolph Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, in Braunau-am-Inn, Austria.” (page 237)  Many know some of what happened in World War II. The most recognized tragic event accredited to Hitler would be the extermination of six million Jews. However, this resource puts Hitler’s career in a more defined perspective. “Hitler’s historic achievements, as head of the Nazi Party, chancellor of the Third Reich and commander of the German armed forces, can best be measured in the terms of rape of independent nations, the destruction of cities through aerial bombardment, the suppression of German domestic liberties, the seas of bloodshed in battle, the enslavement of the women and children of conquered territories and their removal to German labor camps, the extermination of six million Jews, etc. Measured in such terms his achievements were unparalleled. (page 237) From this list, I can admit that the “suppression of German domestic liberties” caught my eye. This could be one of the parts of the tragedy that gets overlooked in comparison to the horror and death he inflicted on those in other nations. As Hitler came to power, he had to first gain control of the German people by denying “domestic liberties”. What did that include? Read more about the process here- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler#Appointment_as_Chancellor 

   In 1923, Hitler was a part of a failed coup and was imprisoned for his part. Others in the failed move were not so fortunate. During his prison stay, he wrote “Mein Kampf” – My Struggle. This work included his political ideology. Eventually, Hitler would ascend to power ten years later in 1933 as Chancellor of the Germany. The events following his move into power are well documented and make for a fascinating study.

    We now turn back to the speech in 1943. In the explanation of the time frame; “At this point the German armies in Russia were facing disaster, the joint British –American campaign in Italy had resulted in the collapse of the Italian Fascist government, and the Normandy invasion was imminent.” (page 238) For some, the circumstances would seem dim and the outlook gloomy. However, the speech is titled “Germany Will Never Capitulate”. Hitler gives a brief recount of his rise to power and the merits of such a turn of events. He includes some vague references to other world events and his thoughts on the involvement of Jewry in the ills of Germany. Hitler states: “One thing must be emphasized—that England has again been the driving force in this war. The fact that it combines within itself, with Jewry, the original cause, expression, and conduct of war corresponds to a repetition of the occurrence of the First World War.”  (page 243)  Was he for real? Did he get away with such statements because he had already committed the suppression of German domestic liberties and feared no objections?

   Hitler does go on to outline other events and warn of the impending final battle for the German people. He calls for the sacrifice of all that is needed to defend the Homeland. He spoofs at his enemies who act as if they have already won the war. This speech is long and many parts do not warrant review in this post. However, several references to Providence and religion caught my attention. I will take liberty to quote several passages. My intention is to show the breath taking presumption and evident deception that the text makes very clear.  

    “And now I should like to say something to those people who talk about religion. I am also religious, deeply and intrinsically religious. And I believe that Providence lives in man…” (page 252)  This statement was one that woke my interest. Considering Hitler as a religious man? Not a characteristic I would have assigned to him before reading this text. Why? Because I know a little about the terror and death he was responsible for during his time of power. How could a man, who led the most feared and hated regime in the 20^th century claim to be religious? Moreover, what would be his purpose for bringing up the issue? We know he garnered the support of the Protestant and the Catholic churches during the early days of his time as Chancellor. But, keep reading there is more…

     “I believe God helps the one who helps himself, that is, the one who never gives up in any emergency and in any danger. But above all my dear fellow citizens, consider what shameless ingratitude toward Providence it would be if one of us would ever really become unnerved.” (page253 emphasis added) Yes, Hitler believed he was to help himself or God would not help him. Did he in fact help himself? I would say – yes, to most everything around him that he wanted including the servitude of other people. He took anything regardless of the destruction it caused in other nations, families or individual lives. Yet, he fancied himself a religious man. Could you say he also wanted to project himself as a religious man? Why was that important?

    He continues, “What blessings have we not received from this Providence? What successes has Providence not given us? What magnificent victories has Providence not let us win? In these few years we have completely changed an almost desperate situation in which our country, our Reich, found itself. (Has the Providence not led our Armies far beyond the borders of the Reich?) Has not the Providence let us master hopeless situations life the Italian collapse? And then would we want to be so contemptible, and despair of or doubt this Providence?” (page 253 emphasis added) So here, he is crediting God for the leading them outside of Germany for victory? Is that a twisted slant on the hell the German armies put others through and yet calling it God’s direction? This is after first causing the suppression of German domestic liberties. Many aspects of the dynamics and reasoning for being able to speak like this are explained the series about Thought Reform on this blog. The first post in that series is found here, http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3225 . Hitler closes this part be placing the guilt back on the hearers for being so contemptible for doubting this Providence. The inference is it would be contemptible to doubt the direction that Providence has led us to take. He was a master propagandist.

    Yet more from this part of the speech; “I bow in gratitude before the Almighty that he has blessed us thus and that He has no sent us more severe trials… Thus with the gracious help of the Almighty we managed successfully to carry this struggle on against a world of superiority far beyond the borders of the Reich, and in view of this could there be anyone who can still be shameless enough to despair or even doubt the blessing of Providence? He would only deserve that the … God forsake him.” (page 253 emphasis added) Okay, there it is. He is grateful for God blessing the war efforts and if anyone still doubts, then God will forsake him or send him to hell. It is plain from this text that to Hitler, those who fight Germany and doubt the direction of the war- are fighting God. Does this shock anyone as it shocked me when I first read it?   

    He continues, “Because I believe in the justice of this God, I cannot do anything but hold the banner high, especially in storm and strife, and I am proud to be the leader of this Nation, not only in the happy days, but especially in the hard ones,… German Nation, be completely reassured; whatever may happen, we will master everything. At the end there is victory.”(page 253-254) The man, who trampled and destroyed other nations, killed and enslaved others by the millions—promised victory by the justice of the Almighty. Does that not bring at least a little bewilderment to those of us who know his outcome? How was Hitler able to rationalize claiming the blessing of God in light of the death and destruction he caused others?

   One more quote that gives some insight into the blame game he used to control others. Speaking about the outcome of World War I, “For 4 years, we were accompanied by good fortune such as God could grant only to one who had been chosen. We almost won the victory. And then our people became ungrateful. In spite of these victories they suddenly lost their morale, lost their faith and became weak, and because of this they no longer deserved the favor of the… and I have so often said—as you will remember yourselves—that Providence has made it clear to us, very clear, that she (gave) us that, which we deserved.” (page 254 emphasis added) The defeat in World War I was the fault of the German citizens; they became ungrateful, lost their faith and became weak. Somehow this all sounded too familiar. Let me explain.

    As I finished reading this speech, I became aware at my shock in relation to Hitler saying God was blessing them. This blessing was at the expense of HOW MANY other nations? In those nations were families and individuals who lost their life as a result of Hitler’s edicts. After a short time, I could only sit back and marvel at my shock. WHY SHOULD I BE SHOCKED? Adolph Hitler was not the first and certainly not the last person to rationalize the destruction of others behind the cloak of religion! His ability to rationalize the killing and destruction of others as a blessing from God was not unique to him.

   The religion of man has been used to cover and excuse the hurting of others for thousands of years. The instances of religious leaders hurting others that I know of in the last few years are too many to give here. Through the ages of time, many religious leaders have considered their cause, their call, their purpose, their doctrine, their gift worthy of defending or advancing at the expense of those who stand in their way. I personally don’t know of anyone who compares to Hitler in the magnitude of destruction he caused. But, why does that matter? There is not merit in ANY religious leader advancing their cause at the expense of even one person or one family.  

    I spent about 16 years under the influence of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). This group was/is led by Jane Whaley. While I was in that group, I counted it as a group blessed of God. This was regardless of how many families or individuals left distraught or in disarray. Regardless of the ones who left in torment of not measuring up to the standards or failing in some way and losing the call of God. Why? It was said they were Judases, God-haters, weak, or had lost their faith or backslidden. Does that sound familiar? For Hitler, it was the fault of others if there was a defeat. Others lost their faith and became weak. At WOFF, there was never a good reason to leave. Leaving was defeat and it was always the fault of the person that left. Never would Jane admit that there was anything wrong with her that would cause others to want to leave. As with Hitler, so with Jane—defeat was/is always the fault of others. Religion is used again to cover and ignore the hurting of others. For those with experience at WOFF, am I wrong here? Please, let me know.

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      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 205.