4 ms·

I think it is less a matter of 'this is just what they call those they don't like' and more a matter of 'they recognize the first steps'. A very great many peo

I think it is less a matter of 'this is just what they call those they don't like' and more a matter of 'they recognize the first steps'. A very great many people, possibly even the majority, do not have the slightest clue how Hitler rose to power, how his Nazi party gained prominence, etc. None of the Holocaust documentaries seem to focus on just what was said to all of those good little Germans who got in line and marched people into cattle cars and turned a blind eye to things. THAT is the dangerous part. We know how to deal with military aggressors. We know how to deal with actual monsters AFTER they've gotten caught and revealed themselves. But does the phrase 'mental hygeine' send chills down your spine? And do you think if it was suggested today, or any time since 9/11, it wouldn't be taken up by both those in power and the majority of the public readily and heartily?

cr0sh 9y ago
One thing that can't and shouldn't be forgotten or glossed over is the role Christianity, particularly Catholicism, played in all this. Hitler virtually had the Pope's blessing. Hitler many times invoked his and his people's Christianity as rhetoric enabling many or most of the atrocities that occurred. Wehrmacht soldiers wore belt buckles with the phrase "Gott Mit Uns", or "God With Us". There are many, many parallels, as I am sure you are aware, to then as to today's political and social climate here in the United States, and to me, it is frightening and tragic to see my country like this. Here in the United States, it's not Catholicism playing the role; instead it is evangelical Christianity, particularly Dominionism. We can see this at play with Trump, and Trump is to some extent using "the church" for his own purposes, while they in turn fawn over their leader. In the background is of course neo-nazis, white nationalists, and their various silent enablers. There also, of course, was (until recently - but maybe the firing was a smokescreen, and he's still got Trump's ear) Bannon. These are frightening times, and only a fool would deny it.
- angersock 9y ago
  > We can see this at play with Trump, and Trump is to some extent using "the church" for his own purposes, while they in turn fawn over their leader. This is pretty common in politics. I refer you to the great Reverend Jesse Jackson.
- creaghpatr 9y ago
  Unfortunately you being scared of Christians does not equate to a fascist US government.
- beepboopbeep 9y ago
  This seems like a pretty off-topic veer from the conversation at hand.
- dragonwriter 9y ago
  > Hitler virtually had the Pope's blessing. Pope Pius XI’s 1937 encyclical Mitt Brennender Sorge [0], which when issued was secretly printed and read out at Mass in every parish in Germany, would seem to dramatically contradict this characterization, condemning as sacrilege and blasphemy many of the practices and doctrines of the Nazi state. [0] http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_14031937_mit-brennender-sorge.html http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/document...

cr0sh 9y ago

One thing that can't and shouldn't be forgotten or glossed over is the role Christianity, particularly Catholicism, played in all this. Hitler virtually had the Pope's blessing. Hitler many times invoked his and his people's Christianity as rhetoric enabling many or most of the atrocities that occurred. Wehrmacht soldiers wore belt buckles with the phrase "Gott Mit Uns", or "God With Us". There are many, many parallels, as I am sure you are aware, to then as to today's political and social climate here in the United States, and to me, it is frightening and tragic to see my country like this. Here in the United States, it's not Catholicism playing the role; instead it is evangelical Christianity, particularly Dominionism. We can see this at play with Trump, and Trump is to some extent using "the church" for his own purposes, while they in turn fawn over their leader. In the background is of course neo-nazis, white nationalists, and their various silent enablers. There also, of course, was (until recently - but maybe the firing was a smokescreen, and he's still got Trump's ear) Bannon. These are frightening times, and only a fool would deny it.

angersock 9y ago
> We can see this at play with Trump, and Trump is to some extent using "the church" for his own purposes, while they in turn fawn over their leader. This is pretty common in politics. I refer you to the great Reverend Jesse Jackson.
creaghpatr 9y ago
Unfortunately you being scared of Christians does not equate to a fascist US government.
beepboopbeep 9y ago
This seems like a pretty off-topic veer from the conversation at hand.
dragonwriter 9y ago
> Hitler virtually had the Pope's blessing. Pope Pius XI’s 1937 encyclical Mitt Brennender Sorge [0], which when issued was secretly printed and read out at Mass in every parish in Germany, would seem to dramatically contradict this characterization, condemning as sacrilege and blasphemy many of the practices and doctrines of the Nazi state. [0] http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_14031937_mit-brennender-sorge.html http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/document...