Pagans. Was Hitler pagan too?

Question

Hitler and Germanic Paganism
Many scholars argue that Hitler had no intention of instituting worship of the ancient Germanic gods

. Hitler stated in Hitler's Table Talk that

"It seems to me that nothing would be more foolish than to re-establish the worship of Wotan. Our old mythology ceased to be viable when Christianity implanted itself. Nothing dies unless it is moribund." and in Mein Kampf stated that "The characteristic thing about these people [modern-day followers of the early Germanic religion] is that they rave about the old Germanic heroism, about dim prehistory, stone axes, spear and shield, but in reality are the greatest cowards that can be imagined. For the same people who brandish scholarly imitations of old German tin swords, and wear a dressed bearskin with bull's horns over their heads, preach for the present nothing but struggle with spiritual weapons, and run a

Answer 1

Hitlet was actually a Catholic Christian. There are countless websites where you can find info on this. The idea that he was a neo-pagan is a guilt by association because Dr. Goebbels was a neo-pagan.

Answer 2

I don't think it really matters whether or not Adolf Hitler was Christian or not. Pagan is a loose term, and many religions and faiths fall under the umbrella. To say that ALL Pagans are loving is like saying that all Christians are forgiving, or all Blacks commit crimes, or all Mexicans are construction workers, or all Whites are superior. I do find the humor in all the experts on National Socialism and Religion in this thread. Hitler was as evil as people perceived him to be. Of course, in another 100 years, more truths about his reign will surface, and there will be a different view of him.

Aside from that, I think the question was "Was Hitler Pagan, too?" I don't recall it being "Was Hitler a good man?" This thread is purely opinionated, but it sure is veering off course. I'll quietly sit back until it reaches "Was Hitler's mustache sexy?"

Answer 3

Hitler was a political genious...well until he messed up with the U.S.S.R. Heinrich Himmler was the main pagan infuluence because he wanted soldiers to march in medievel German armor and had many mythological beliefs. Also Hitler was greatly influenced by paganism...dismiss his other beliefs...he wanted power and success and he was going to find it somewhere. I read somewhere an occult leader told him he would find great success after he was imprisoned which lead him to keep on pursuing his position as the leader of Germany. His pursuits also came from Germany's loss in WW1...which he blamed the Jews for and he thought Germany should have won...thus he was seeking his revenge. Hitler was so complicated it is hard to explain but the spear of destiny is one to confuse. Is it myth or fact?...Did it help him or not? Did he even have all of it? Some things will never be answered.

Answer 4

First off, drink for invoking Godwin's Law.

Secondly, Hitler used whatever symbology he could get his hands on, Pagan or Christian. His writings and history show an Abrahamic bent, but I wouldn't particularly call him Christian either. My guess is that he really believe in anything, and just manipulated what he could. If you want any label to pin on him, you could call him an occultist.

While there was a certain amount of national interest in Germanic Paganism during that time, and a certain amount of encouragement and co-opting, there's also records of Asatruars ending up in the camps as well, so they definitely weren't a protected elite or anything like that.

Answer 5

There was a general interest in folklore, particularly Northern European folklore, for many decades in Europe and America prior to Hitler's rise, and he took advantage of this to advance ideas of nationalism, Germanic identity, and Aryan superiority.

Certain of his symbols, like the Fylfot/swastika and the SS insignia (Sowilo runes, from the Elder Futhark, symbolic of Thor's lightning bolts) were stolen from ancient mythology and folklore and perverted to propagandistic ends.

Henry Ford, a Nazi sympathizer (yes, really) was a huge fan of folk dancing. As I said, interest in folk customs, religion, origins, and myths was part of a worldwide trend at the time. Heathens, because we DO use the runes (which because of Hitler are still being used by XIAN white supremacists like Christian Identity) get hit with this crap the most. And it IS crap---as noted above, Hitler was Catholic. Even the current Pope has tried to dodge that bullet by shucking it off on us.

BTW . . . I call "Godwin's Law." You lose.

Answer 6

Uh, Hitler was half jewish if you want to actually do some reasearch. Besides Hitler's book Mein Kampf was his ideals and thoughts.

It would be like either you or me putting a book of our thoughts out for public consumption. The only problem is that we would probably not be taken seriously because we are not ruling a country.

Answer 7

I don't know if it would have been encouraged as a State Religion, but a Germanic Paganism was permitted and to an extent encouraged.

Had Germany conquered and secured the Third Reich's existence, it is pretty certain that Christianity would have been suppressed. It would probably been replaced by some sort of Aryan/Germanic God system.

Doc Hudson

Answer 8

Hitler was a well attested to Christian. He did use the romanticism of the ancient Germanic people to consolidate German Identity. Personally I think the whole question smells of an attempt to demonize one faith or another. No one faith was responsible for Hitler.

Answer 9

Good grief, what an outlandish idea!!!!!!!!!! Hitler stood for hate that stemmed from his own personal fears and insecurites and he was one of the most hate filled people this world has ever produced. A pagan loves and respects and cares for planet earth and all living things. Hitler was not a pagan, he was a very sick man.

Answer 10

Hitler was technically Roman Catholic. There is alot of speculation as to whether or not Hitler and the Nazi's were connected to the "occult" and "black magic".

Regardless of his religious affiliation, I imagine we all must agree that he was NOT the typical representation of the religion as a whole.

Answer 11

I could not but notice how many answers identify Hitler as a Christian. I protest! There was nothing Christian about this monster.
Adolf Hitler was a Roman Catholic.

I removed myself from Roman Catholicism in order to become a Christian. There is a huge difference: Accountability to the Vatican for the Catholic, or accountability to Jesus Christ for the Christian.