>> Most Germans during the period 1933-1945 were most certainly not atheists. <<
Didn't suggest most Germans *were* atheist. Just like most Russians weren't. I was referring to the leadership. See my previous post about that issue.
>> Even now, in Germany, you're registered by default in a religion and have to go to some lengths to convince them you're an atheist and should not be paying the Church tax. <<
Even if you've never been baptised? How do they decide which religion to assign you to?
HItler was a Catholic. He never renounced it, and was never excommunicated.
Even if you've never been baptised? How do they decide which religion to assign you to?
I think they decide from the religion your family had. When I lived there, several of the people in my research group described the considerable lengths they had to go to, to convince the authorities they were in fact atheists.