2007-08-11 07:47:52 · 10 answers · asked by fraser d 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually membership was mandatory. However, the pope never attended any of the meetings and his father was an outspoken opponent of Nazism. Also the pope's nephew, who had Down's Syndrome, was murdered by Nazis, so I doubt that the pope was pro-Nazi.
2007-08-11 07:53:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
As a teenager and young man, Pope Benedict XVI was drafted into the Hitler Youth and the Nazi German Army just like every other non-Jewish German male. He was not given a choice.
The Pope is not and never has been a Nazi. He unfortunately was born and grew up in a country ruled by the Nazi party.
Every draftee into the Hitler Youth and the Nazi German Army was not a Nazi.
Thank God that you and I live in a very different world that the Pope did in 1930s and 1940s Germany. Or do we?
With love in Christ.
2007-08-11 22:34:39 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he was a member of the Hitler Youth. From what I have heard, his family, including his father who was a police officer, didn't support Hitler, but toward the end of the war, he was forced into the Hitler Youth. He hasn't explained it thoroughly, though, and I have a problem with that.
Channa seems to explain it best. It's what I heard. As to "does it matter?" Yes, of course, it matters if he hasn't explained all of it thoroughly and answered all of the questions about it but instead prefers to sweep it under a rug! Stuff like this puts not only the Pope's validity as a the earthly leader of the Church at risk, but also the faithful. He should explain.
2007-08-11 14:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want some facts regarding Hitler and His spirual movement to control the world and why he wanted to exterminate all Jews, Gays, Blacks and His beliefs in reincarnation, go to perrystone.org
2007-08-11 14:59:05 · answer #4 · answered by *DestinyPrince* 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Does it matter?
Who could be saved if were all held responsible for our pasts. The heart of Christianity is "forgiveness". And who can blame a boy for something he was forced to do?
"At the age of 14, he joined the Hitler Youth, as was required of young Germans of the time, but was not an enthusiastic member." - BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4445279.stm
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." - Jesus
"Let he who never did anything wrong as a youngster condemn the pope." - me
EDIT: To "rukidding" - If the pope has to fully explain his past as the price for your forgiveness, then be so kind as to fully explain the sins of YOUR past as the price for our accepting you as a Christian.
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2007-08-11 14:52:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes, he was. And he's TOLD BLATANT LIES about his reasons for VOLUNTARILY joining. I had some respect for Catholics under the previous Pope. Now, I have ZERO respect for them.
2007-08-11 14:54:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes
he went along to get along
2007-08-11 14:54:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually*edit*,I don't know.God Bless!
2007-08-11 14:54:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes.
2007-08-11 14:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by Benjamin Peret 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/former_hitler_youth_elected_pope.htm
2007-08-11 14:51:14 · answer #10 · answered by CJ 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋