I never said anything about Hitler or the Nazis. I said the "germans".
Regardless of what Hitler believed, or any other Nazi, for that matter, Hitler could not have done what he did without the consent of the German people. The Christian German people. Also, Hitler did use Christianity as a justification in his speeches, and the iron cross was a major symbol used by the Nazis.
I am aware of Hitler's experimentation with mysticism. His belief that "aryans" were the descendants of Atlantis. I am well aware of all of that, but I am also aware of his solid Christian background, and I am not about to believe that all or even a significant number of Nazis believed in such occultism.
My point was and remains that Germany was a Christian nation, and it happened there. Just as Christian nations launched the Inquisition and the Crusades.
My point being that religious belief does not deliver instant morality, and this goes for Christians as well. Just as lack of religious belief does not make one automatically immoral, or even more inclined towards immorality.
My bad.
Regardless of what Hitler believed, or any other Nazi, for that matter, Hitler could not have done what he did without the consent of the German people. The Christian German people.
Actually, by the 1920s most German churches were extremely liberal and mostly preached a mixture of German historical virtues and racist ideology based upon many secular influences of the day. Christianity, as we know it today, had almost ceased to exist, though there were notable exceptions.
Hitler did use Christianity as a justification in his speeches, and the iron cross was a major symbol used by the Nazis.
Quite true. A recurring theme in Hitler's speeches was his belief that divine providence had decreed his ascension to power. He also repeatedly stated his belief that his decisions were preordained by God. Of course, if the German people were actually practicing Christians, he could have never gotten away with such rhetoric, because even a rudimentary knowledge of the Bible would contradict many of those actions which Hitler insisted were within a religious framework.
I am aware of Hitler's experimentation with mysticism. His belief that "aryans" were the descendants of Atlantis. I am well aware of all of that,
Cool.
but I am also aware of his solid Christian background,
He had none. His family was nominal Catholic and he despised Catholicism. He never had any inclination whatsoever toward any form of Christianity. He hated it from his youth.
and I am not about to believe that all or even a significant number of Nazis believed in such occultism.
Virtually all of the Nazi hierarchy was deeply involved in the occult. That is historical fact beyond dispute.
My point was and remains that Germany was a Christian nation,
Depends on what your definition of "Christian nation" is. Historically, Germany is a Christian nation. But, in terms of the number of Christians in the population, Germany is an overwhelmingly secular nation, as is France. A nation of empty churches can hardly be called "Christian," regardless of how pretty the churches are.
Just as Christian nations launched the Inquisition and the Crusades.
Oh, play the "Inquisition and Crusades" card. Two of the least understood and misreported events in history, yet so many actually think they know what happened.
My point being that religious belief does not deliver instant morality,
We agree.
and this goes for Christians as well.
For nominal Christians who might go to church very other Easter and have never had any relationship with Christ (Christians in name only), you have a point. But, for truly born-again believers, who put pleasing Christ at the center of their existence, living a moral life is an imperative.
Just as lack of religious belief does not make one automatically immoral, or even more inclined towards immorality.
That is an arguable point, but I agree with you.