2006-08-22 07:40:44 · 19 answers · asked by martin 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
yes. my grandpa lived in germany durign WWII and he wasn't a member of the nazi party or hitler youth. sure he went to jail for his views, but it was a choice he could make, and one the pope should have made, if he was such an "upright" citizen.
and it has recently come to light that Pope Benedict served in the Waffen SS, not a regular army unit, which is damning even if he didn't see combat.
2006-08-22 07:49:25 · answer #1 · answered by Cheesie M 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Hitler Youth Organization had mandatory membership for boys between the ages of 13 and 18. Members of the organization were taught the Nazi ways but whether or not they believed what was being taught is another question entirely.
2006-08-22 14:49:19 · answer #2 · answered by ammecalo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In those days in Germany all youth were automatically enrolled in Hitler Youth whether they wanted to or not. Young Ratzinger (now the pope) was anti-Nazi, as was his family. He actually managed to keep off the HY roles for some time by neglecting to do the paperwork, but the authorities "corrected" this at some point. He didn't attend meetings.
2006-08-22 15:06:34 · answer #3 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The current Pope was a member of Hitler's Youth when he was an early teen. As was about 99% of the population of Germany prior to any fighting or Hitler revealing any of his radicial agenda. He was excused from the group when he choose to study for the priesthood. He was also drafted and served in a non-combat position with the German army.
2006-08-22 14:50:47 · answer #4 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pope we have now was a member of the Hitler Youth. However, he was a teen at the time. Now, I do not know about you, but I have changed immensely since i was in my teens. Not to mention being a member of Hitler Youth was almost mandatory if you wanted to not be persecuted.
2006-08-22 14:49:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was a member of the Hitler Youth. Not by choice though. A lot of people were forced into roles in the Nazi party.
2006-08-22 14:47:10 · answer #6 · answered by Swordsman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Being a member of Hitler Youth was compulsory for German boys at the time. He was released fromt eh Hitler Youth to study for the priesthood.
He was drafted into the German army, but did not serve in any combat role.
2006-08-22 14:49:08 · answer #7 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No,
All young people were members of the Hitler youth automatically. Our Pope left them as soon as he could and never did anything pro Nazi.
Sounds like anti-Catholic propaganda.
If you want to know about Catholics:
www.Catholic.com
www.catholic.org
2006-08-22 14:47:39 · answer #8 · answered by C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily a Nazi. It was mandatory for boys his age to join the Hitler Youth; and he would have been exposed to a lot of Nazi propaganda. And his ultra-conservative views are seeming to reflect some disturbing similarities.
2006-08-22 14:56:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Benedict was a member of the Brownshirts as a youth in Nazi Germany.
2006-08-22 14:47:00 · answer #10 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋