“Hitler’s Religion: The Twisted Beliefs That Drove The Third Reich” by Richard Weikart

“Since it is so difficult to pinpoint exactly what Hitler’s religion was, it might seem his religion was historically inconsequential. However, hopefully this study of Hitler’s religion sheds light on a number of important issues. First, his anti-Christianity obviously shaped the persecution of the Christian churches during the Third Reich. Second, his religious hypocrisy helped explain his ability to appeal to a broad constituency. Third, his trust that his God would reward his efforts and willpower, together with his sense divine mission, imbued him with hope, even in hopeless circumstances. This helps us understand why he was so optimistic until the very end, when it should have been obvious much earlier that the game was up. Finally, and most importantly, his religion did not provide him with any transcendent morality. Whatever Hitler’s stance on other religious issues, his morality was entirely of this world, derived from his understanding of the workings of nature. In my view, this was the most pernicious element of his religion. Hitler followed what he considered the dictates of nature by stealing, killing and destroying. Ultimately, however, he perished, because his God could not give him life (1, pp. 279-280). 

1. Richard Weikart. Hitler’s Religion: The Twisted Beliefs That Drove The Third Reich. Regnery History, Salem Media Group, 300 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC.