Did Hitler do anything that was not taught and preached by Christian Leaders?

Question

"What shall we do with...the Jews?...I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings...are to be taken from them."

"What shall we do with...the Jews?...I advise that safe-conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews."

"What shall we do with...the Jews? I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach on pain of loss of life and limb."

"What shall we do with...the Jews?...set fire to their synagogues or schools and bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them."

"What shall we do with...the Jews?...their homes also should be razed and destroyed."
All the above were Martin Luther

St. Augustine: “Judaism is a corruption. Indeed Judas is the image of the Jewish people. Their understanding of the Scriptures is carnal. They bear the guilt for the death of the saviour, for through their fathers they have killed the Christ.”

St. Gregory: “ Jews are slayers of the Lord, murderers of the prophets, enemies of God, haters of God, adversaries of grace, enemies of their fathers’ faith, advocates of the devil, brood of vipers, slanderers, scoffers, men of darkened minds, leaven of the Pharisees, congregation of demons, sinners, wicked men, stoners and haters of goodness.”

St. Jerome: “....serpents, haters of all men, their image is Judas ... their psalms and prayers are the braying of donkeys..”

“Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And I say the truth, why do you not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8.43-47)

“Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so you do. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers” (Acts 7.51-53)

St. John Chrysostom: “I know that many people hold a high regard for the Jews and consider their way of life worthy of respect at the present time... This is why I am hurrying to pull up this fatal notion by the roots ... A place where a whore stands on display is a whorehouse. What is more, the synagogue is not only a whorehouse and a theater; it is also a den of thieves and a haunt of wild animals ... not the cave of a wild animal merely, but of an unclean wild animal ... When animals are unfit for work, they are marked for slaughter, and this is the very thing which the Jews have experienced. By making themselves unfit for work, they have become ready for slaughter. This is why Christ said: “ask for my enemies, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them and slay them before me’ (Luke 19.27).”

Answer 1

You have not even touched on what Martin Luther had to say about them. He had much more than that little bit. Hitler was a very good christian.

Answer 2

Although Martin Luther did a great service to Christianity when he freed us from the slavery and spiritual blindness of the Roman Catholic Church, I reject most of his writings. You've given a number of quotes from Luther proving his anti-Semitism, which shows he never properly distanced himself from the Catholics.

As a Protestant, I also reject the notion that "Saint" Augustine (354-430 CE) represented any other religious view than that of Catholics. He certainly does not represent the views of most Protestant denominations. Clearly, Augustine and Luther were influenced by writers such as Origen (203 - 250 CE), who was brazenly anti-Semitic and was probably the first one to write about replacement theology. It was during Origen's time that we see the shoot of Catholicism springing up -- so you can see how the two (anti-Semitism and Catholicism) are tied together. Contrary to what Roman Catholics are taught, Catholicism bears little resemblance to the practices of early Christians in the Bible (who were Jews!), or to Evangelical Protestants such as myself, who have always loved and supported the Jews.

Jesus taught that you will know a tree by its fruit. Just as you don't expect to pick an orange from an apple tree, you cannot expect to read pro-Semitic teachings written by an anti-Semite. I simply cannot stress enough that anti-Semitism goes against all the teachings Jesus ever gave us. If you were to read Evangelical publications, you'd probably be shocked at how revered the Jewish people are. To this end, I recommend you read "Understanding Evangelicals: An Introduction for the Jewish Community," by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. Although he does not believe Jesus was the Messiah, he has a very good understanding of Evangelical beliefs -- particularly our love for the Jews. You can find it here: http://www.ifcj.org/site/News2?abbr=rabbi_&page=NewsArticle&id=6185&security=1201&news_iv_ctrl=1341

EDIT: As for your quotes from John and Acts, this is a different issue entirely; could you post these as separate questions?

Answer 3

Why would you put the verses spoken by Christ into these supposed quotes by other long gone humans? Christ was a jew. It casts a shadow of doubt on your whole premise. I consider Christian leaders as people living in modern times. Christians are the best friends that the Jews have on earth. If it wasnt for Christians, Isreal would most likely not exist today. Pauls writings very strongly warn against being anti semetic.

Answer 4

I guess it might be a short list to write down what Hitler DID do that was Christian.

The anti Jewish sentiment has been carried over for thousands of years. Even those that are thought to be wise have fallen to that persuasion. But what to note is that there are many Christians that do not carry it with them. I am one of those.

Also, I find it good and right that certain nations that are supposed 'christian' nations support Israel, even to the point of putting military effort into thir defense. I believe that it is the Christian influence in those nations thqat makes it that way, not to mention the kinship we feel with Israel, some of us knowing that Jesus will connect us together as it says in the Bible, in more places than one.

So the comments of the so called wise aside, we continue to support Israel and long for the time when our Lord will make us one with the Jews in spirit.

Answer 5

It depends by what you mean a "Christian." Many can call themselves that but may not fully go by the NT. If these people are wanting to detroy others stuff then they are not acting Christian. For what people read is up to them. Christianity in itself is not a power tool to be used by anyone. Unfortunately many people do use their faith, could be any religion, and use it to use over people.
Another thing if people are supposedly Christians but yet speak things that are contrary to the Word of God then I would be highly suspect of their hypocrosy. Anyone can cliam to be a follower but it does not mean that they are. Hope I helped somewhat. God bless.

Answer 6

Yes, he attempted to enslave all the people of the world. " Heute gehert uns Deutchland, morgan die ganse welt ".
All the rest of your sermon is an attempt to claim that it was the plan of the entire Christian church to rid the world of the Jews. Billions of pages of religious writings are available. If you dig through, you can find whatever it takes to support your arguement from either side. You can proove or disproove anything you care to.
I'm a non-believer, but I doubt very seriously that the entire Christian church was in favor of wiping out Judaism.
And please remember that the ones you quoted lived in former times when people weren't too gall darn schmart.

Answer 7

I hope people read your quotes and consider that the Bible is just a book written by men that contains the good and evil that humans can think up.

To answer your question, yes, of course, Hitler acted contrary to Christian tenets. He invaded countries, waged a mighty war against lots of Christians, Jews and non-Jews.

Answer 8

I would not presume to condemn all Christian leaders for the actions of a few powerful loudmouths. I also would never compare them to Hitler. I simply try to remember history and hope that human beings stop all the hating and killing.

Man it has been such a picnic to be Jewish, hasn't it?

Answer 9

He acted just like the Repubican Administration in the USA does today. Did you know that George Bush's Grandfather was the Fuhrers personal banker? What does that say for guilt by association? Does this make you reconsider your support for the Bush Kingdom?

Answer 10

Gimme a break! Do you really believe all that? The biggest Christian leader was Christ himself who was a Jew, came first FOR the Jews and then went on to include the gentiles, and without the Jews we wouldn't have Jesus to begin with...

Keeping your eyes on what other MEN say, and off God and Jesus leads to hate, not Jesus and Christianity lead to hate... because men are prone to error and sin. Just because some Christians are human, fallible and don't do this doesn't make all Christians bad and negate the truth of what Jesus preached and taught... Many people, like Pharisees, love to quote verse and scripture, and be seen as very religious, yet are unable to actively live the essence of what Jesus wanted us to do... He said to the Pharisees that the two greatest commandments were to love your god with all your heart, and second to love your neighbor as yourself... If we remember this and act on it, which is what HE preached, and actively live it, that is the essence of His message. (I know he included Jews in the "neighbor" statement! His parents were Jews, he didn't treat them with hatred or distain! Or the other Apostles!)

Lots of people let their eyes stray from watching Jesus and God as the example to emulate, and forget those two commandments... but just because they are being terrors and into sin, it doesn't mean those who love Christ, and are trying to be holy are terrible people...That a whole class of believers is all condemned for the acts of a few! There is no guilt by association, we are all individually responsible for our own relationship with God, I don't inherit and own the sins of another unless I personally caused them... and many try very hard to love God, have a good heart and live the spirit, not just the words of God's teaching... seek out THOSE kind people... and don't let those people who preach Christianity, but don't live it, and who hurt others and perhaps have hurt you hurt you more... Your life is too precious, and time too short to be in the presence of unloving persons...we cannot learn and exist that way, nor grow.

If we love Christ we live His words in deed, not just words, which shows love and devotion for Him and God... one cannot be by definition a true Christian if we do not... It is not joining a club, it is living a life of principle, and is a life style... not empty, easily spoken words, making ourselves look authoritative with knowledge and hypocrisy. Just because some "Christians" did the wrong thing, and spoke the wrong words, they did not speak for me or as me, or Christ...

I'm sure, upon hearing those words quoted above, Jesus was very hurt to see the original people write them, or have them taken out of context (as in the Bible verse)... remember... He said the second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself... and that means Jew, Muslim, Buddist, Hindu or native witch doctor... God loves us all, He makes no exclusions, and neither should we!

Answer 11

You do have a point, there has been a vendetta against Judaism that even Christians have promoted. It is shameful.

However, Hitler was into bondage...and he hated religion in general and something tells me neither of those things were supported by the church.