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Koers

versão On-line ISSN 2304-8557
versão impressa ISSN 0023-270X

Koers (Online) vol.76 no.1 Pretoria  2011

 

RESEARCH ARTICLE

 

The mythic foundation of National Socialism and the contemporary claim that the Nazis were Christians

 

Die mitiese grondslag van Nasionale Sosialisme en die kontemporêre bewering dat die Nazi's Christene was

 

 

I. Hexham

Department of Religious Studies, University of Calgary, Calgary Canada. E-mail: hexham@ucalgary.ca

 

 


ABSTRACT

This article examines the ideas of Alfred Rosenberg, the "chief ideologue" of German National Socialism. Its aim is to show that, contrary to the claims of a growing number of people encouraged by the so-called "new atheism", the Nazis held a coherent worldview that was vehemently anti-Christian. To deal with criticism of Christianity by these writers and speakers, it is necessary for Christians to become aware of the Nazi world-view and how deeply it was rooted in modern paganism.

Key concepts: anti-Christian propaganda, Nazism, neo-paganism, new atheism


OPSOMMING

Hierdie artikel ondersoek die idees van Alfred Rosenberg, die "hoof-ideoloog" van die Duitse Nasionale Sosialisme. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om aan te toon dat, in teenstelling met die bewerings van 'n groeiende aantal persone aangemoedig deur die sogenaamde "nuwe ateïsme", die Nazi's 'n samehangende wêreldbeskouing gehuldig het wat radikaal anti-Christelik was. Hierdie standpunt word verdedig. Ten einde hierdie skrywers en sprekers se kritiek teenoor die Christendom verantwoordelik te hanteer, moet Christene bewus wees van die Nazi-wêreld-beskouing en die diep verworteling daarvan in die moderne paganisme.

Kernbegrippe: anti-Christelike propaganda, Nazisme, neo-paganisme, nuwe ateïsme


 

 

Full text available only in PDF format.

 

 

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