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Religious sects in Nazi Germany
There were a number of Christian sects that had become established by the time the Nazis had come to power
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists and members of the New Apostolic Church
Nazi views towards the religious sects
Most of these sects had international links
This had aroused Nazi suspicions about their loyalties, most were banned by the regime in November 1933
However some were lifted when they demonstrated cooperation with the regime
Policies towards Jehovah’s Witnesses
Were the only religious group to show uncompromising hostility to the Nazi State
Around 30,000 members in German in 1933
Their belief that they could only obey Jehovah (God) led them in conflict with the regime as they refused to take a loyalty oath to Hitler, participate in parades, give the Hitler salute or accept conscription
Many were arrested. where in prison they still disobeyed orders
By 1945, around 10,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses had been imprisoned and many had died
Regime failed to break their resistance
Policies towards Seventh-Day Adventists
Gave a positive welcome to the Nazi regime - described it as Germany’s rebirth
The ban on the sect was removed within two weeks as they displayed the swastika flag in their churches, and ended services with ‘Heil Hitler’
They were a welfare organisation, and provided aid - which they excluded asocials, Jews and other ‘race enemies’ when they needed help
Policies towards other sects
Other sects made the necessary compromises with the regime to ensure their survival
The Mormons’ welfare organisation, like the Seventh-Day Adventists, selected its recipients according to Nazi criteria
The New Apostolic Church incorporated SS and SA flags into its church parades
