New PBS documentary film stirs talk of abuse of religion

[Bozita]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051124/NEWS05/511240316

Film stirs talk of abuse of religion

Hitler, modern politics discussed

BY DAVID CRUMM
FREE PRESS RELIGION WRITER

November 24, 2005


Sixty years after the Holocaust, a new movie about Protestant support for Adolf Hitler is raising fresh questions about the dangerous misuse of religion today.

About 250 students, faculty and guests at Rochester College, a Church of Christ-related school in Rochester Hills, attended a preview last week of filmmaker Steven D. Martin's documentary for PBS, "Theologians Under Hitler: Could It Happen Again?"

After watching the film, Calvin Moore of Rochester, a 26-year-old history student, was among many in the crowd who peppered Martin with troubling, contemporary questions.

"This makes me wonder a lot about all those cases today when we claim we're taking righteous stances as Christians and we all too quickly attach God's name to our efforts," Moore said last Thursday.

more...

[me b zola]

1. Check PBS listings for airtime

"Without a stricter separation of church and state, Shelly argued, "we can still allow ourselves as Christians to be played by political power," just as in Germany in the 1930s."



Wow. People must become more aware that many things that they support (faith based initiatives and such) are doing incredible harm to our country.

I can't wait to see it, thanks for posting. K&R.

[Protagoras]

2. can't find a rebroadcast time

but it looks very interesting. A lot of apparent christian commentary on it on the web and most of it reads as pretty reflective so far. Sounds like a must see...if I can find a place to see it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Thanks for the heads up

[lolly]

4. Some very telling information . . .

Among the most infamous was Gerhard Kittel, at the time a world-famous Protestant expert on the ancient history of the Bible. Far from a marginal figure or thug, like many of Hitler's early followers, Kittel taught at the centuries-old Tubingen University, the same school that later would have Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, on its faculty.

In the 1930s, Kittel became convinced that ancient strains of Christian contempt for Jews should be turned into a brutal campaign against them.

"We must not allow ourselves to be crippled because the whole world screams at us of barbarism," he wrote. How Germany "regulates its own cultural affairs does not concern anyone else in the world."

Ratzinger, before becoming Pope, wrote a text--I believe some sort of official church document--essentially placing a good deal of the blame for the Holocaust on Secular Humanism, supposedly because it lacked the moral certitudes of relgion and therefore made it possible for people to accept the evils of Naziism.

Can you say "deflection," girls and boys????

[Boomer]

5. Nominated

I was especially heartened by this exchange:

Without a stricter separation of church and state, Shelly argued, "we can still allow ourselves as Christians to be played by political power," just as in Germany in the 1930s.

At that point, he turned to Martin and asked, "So where are the religious leaders who are strong enough to resist the stroking of political power today?"

Then, Martin pointed back at the crowd of mostly college students. "It's my hope that they're you," he said, "because, if not, I'm wasting my time with this film."

[PurityOfEssence]

6. I hope the Catholics aren't being let off the hook for the Nazis

Catholic paramilitary groups were very instrumental in Hitler's rise, the Vatican was a fine enabler, and the local churches also were supportive in many cases. Although nominally a secular regime, the Nazis were decidedly pro-religion and rabidly anti-atheist and anti-semitic. Hitler used much religious rhetoric in his justification for his policies, and was a Catholic himself.

The Protestants and Catholics were equally responsible for support of this regime, and those among the clergy who dissented were a decided minority. Surely, many just went along with it, but many actively supported it all.

Bringing the role of religion in this despicable chapter of mankind's history is long overdue.

[lolly]

7. More Great stuff

From the Study Guide, linked from the article:

http://www.vitalvisuals.com/TUH_study_guide_sample.pdf

Althaus referred to Hitler's rise to power as "a gift and miracle of God." Have you ever advocated a policy or embraced a person as a "gift of God" only to discover later that you were completely wrong? How did you address this situation?

The chapter also notes how Althaus felt a little squeamish about supporting Hitler because many of his supporters were describing him as a "New Messiah" come to make Germany the "New Israel."

I think I'll bookmark this--it might come in handy for future classes.

on edit--nominated--2 more votes?

[mzmolly]

8. Sounds facinating. The answer to the question posed is

YES. In a small way it's happening now. Look at some of the RW slander against muslims for example. I've had people I know personally (Republicans) suggest we "level Iraq."

[TheGunslinger]

9. The Protocols of the Elders of Sion (forged document) probably had a role.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail touched upon the Nazis' use of that forged document as proof that Jews were in control or trying to take control of the world, essentially, and was used as propaganda against Jews.

[AuntiBush]

10. Could it Happen Again? I think it has.

This might be why Historians & History teachers are under so much pressure under this regime.

Church & State are not to ever mix. We're on that slippery-slope of becoming just like our so-called enemies.

Jefferson has gotta be tired of rolling over in his grave by now.

[Wordie]

11. It should air in early 2006; perhaps nationwide on PBS in April.

This sounds like something everyone should watch. Thanks for posting this. Nominated.

<snip>
Check PBS listings for "Theologians Under Hitler: Could It Happen Again?" in early 2006. Various regional PBS showings are scheduled, although no Michigan station has booked it yet. In April, a nationwide PBS showing may be scheduled.

Copies of the film on DVD, plus a study guide for teachers and two short documentaries on the topic, are sold at www.vitalvisuals.com.

The Web site also has information about filmmaker Steven D. Martin's earlier documentary about Muslims' experiences in the United States.

DAVID CRUMM