Thread by @thirdreichpast

Both Hitler and Himmler saw Christianity as a barrier to their totalitarian control and racial ideology.

While Hitler used it tactically early on, both he and Himmler planned to marginalize it.

https://twitter.com/jones248748/status/1929605798424084691

Then destroy it post-war, as evidenced by Rosenberg’s plans for a “National Reich Church” that would replace christian symbols with Nazi ones.

Rosenberg’s “National Reich Church” and Its Anti-christian Agenda
Alfred Rosenberg.

The Nazi Party’s chief ideologist and author of The Myth of the Twentieth Century, was a key figure in articulating a replacement for christianity.

His vision for a “National Reich Church” was explicitly designed to supplant traditional christian institutions with a state-controlled.

Racially focused pseudo-religion aligned with Nazi ideology

The 30-Point Program for the National Reich Church

Rosenberg’s writings and Nazi Party documents, notably summarized in the Kirchenkampf (Church Struggle) records and postwar trials.

Rosenberg outlined a program for the “National Reich Church” that would eliminate christian theology and symbols.

The Bible was to be replaced with Mein Kampf as the primary text, declared the “greatest of all documents.”

The cross would be removed from churches, replaced by the swastika as the central symbol.

Old and New Testaments were to be banned as “jewish” texts, with a new “Germanic” scripture emphasizing racial purity and nationalism.

Churches would preach a “Positive christianity” stripped of Jewish roots, focusing on Germanic heroism and obedience to the Führer.

These points were documented in Rosenberg’s own writings and in Nazi propaganda materials.

For example, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) compiled reports during the war citing Rosenberg’s plans.

Later used in the Nuremberg Trials ( Document D-75, “The Religious Situation in Germany”)

Rosenberg’s The Myth of the Twentieth Century (1930)

Rosenberg’s book, second only to Mein Kampf in Nazi ideological prominence.

Attacked christianity as a Jewish-derived religion that weakened Aryan racial purity.

He proposed a “new myth” based on Nordic Paganism and racial ideology to replace.

It was widely circulated among Nazi elites and influenced Himmler’s SS ideology.

Its anti-christian tone was cited at Nuremberg as evidence of Nazi intent to dismantle christian institutions.

(Nuremberg Trial Proceedings, Vol. 7, p. 240).

Rosenberg’s office, as Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories, oversaw efforts to suppress christian churches in occupied areas.

In Germany, Rosenberg backed the German christians (Deutsche christen), a pro-Nazi Protestant faction that sought to “Aryanize” Christianity.

By removing jewish elements, such as the Old Testament, and aligning sermons with Nazi propaganda.

Hitler’s Strategic Use and Long-Term Plans to Destroy christianity
Hitler’s public rhetoric often feigned support for christianity to maintain political support .

“The war will end, and I shall see my task as settling accounts with the christian churches” (October 14, 1941).

“Once I have settled my other problems, I’ll have my reckoning with the Church. I’ll have it reeling on the ropes” (February 27, 1942).

These statements, recorded by Martin Bormann’s secretaries, show Hitler’s plan to deal with christianity after the war, when political constraints would lessen.

The Nazi regime implemented the Kirchenkampf (Church Struggle), a campaign to control or suppress Christian institutions.

Catholic Church: The 1933 Reich Concordat with the Vatican was tactically signed to neutralize Catholic opposition.

But Nazis violated it by closing Catholic schools.

Arresting priests, and dissolving Catholic youth groups ( 400 priests sent to Dachau by 1945; see Conway, 1968, p. 250).

Protestant Churches: The Nazis supported the German christians to dominate Protestantism, while the Confessing Church, which resisted Nazification, faced persecution ( Pastor Martin Niemöller’s arrest in 1937).

Gestapo reports, and Nuremberg evidence strengthens this credibility.

The evidence is clear: Hitler, Himmler, and Rosenberg planned to marginalize and ultimately destroy christianity.

Replacing it with a Nazi-controlled ideology exemplified by Rosenberg’s “National Reich Church.”

Proof lies in Rosenberg’s 30-Point Program, Hitler’s private statements in Table Talk, Himmler’s SS rituals and clergy persecution.

Nazi policies like the Kirchenkampf, and documented suppressions in Germany and occupied territories.

While tactical public support for C christianity delayed full implementation.

The Nazis’ actions closing schools, arresting priests, banning christian texts, and promoting Swastikas over crosses.

Demonstrate a clear trajectory toward eradication postwar, as corroborated by archival records and historians.

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