THE NAZI STATE AND THE NEW RELIGIONS, Vol 4, Studies in Religion & Society, by Christine Elizabeth King; The Edwin Mellen Press, New York & Toronto, 1982 Selected quotes:
Witnesses saw themselves as citizens of God's Kingdom, enrolled in his army...Of all the sects, the Witnesses were the most serious target of abuse and hostility...As early as 1922 Witnesses were accused as being agents of the Jews and as enemies of the German culture
The most obvious and safest survival strategy, the cessation of all religious activity, was an option the Witnesses never even considered
Witnesses were identified as enemies, being marched through the streets wearing placards detailing their 'treason'
Like the Jews, the Witnesses quickly became citizens with no civil rights
Witnesses at once refused to bear arms or to undertake war related work. Their refusal as a body was recorded only 3 days after the new military laws and they also refused to undertake Nazi labour service or related duties.
Witnesses in the camps behaved as far as they were able as model prisoners, accepting orders and willingly obeying authority. They remained detached, as obedient in the world of the camps as in outside society. They were God's people and nothing could change that. They came out of the camps still seeking converts, handing out round cards to their newly released and confused fellow prisoners: 'There is a God; there is a purpose to all of this
Witnesses saw a special role for the Jewish nation as the once chosen people. They believed that this role would be fulfilled in the new age.
What the Witnesses experienced was not the imprisonment they suffered in America or Britain for their refusal to fight ... what they experienced was a crusade. It was ideologically impossible for the Nazis to tolerate them, as it is for the communist states to tolerate them today.
Only against the Witnesses was the government unsuccessful, for although they had killed thousands the work went on and in May 1945 the Jehovah's Witnesses movement was still alive ... numbers had increased and no compromises had been made ... The Witnesses provide an alternative model of behaviour, for, as the study of their reactions to the regime show,they were not willing to adjust or compromise to any degree.
Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test, and that you may have tribulation ten days. [your whole life on earth] Prove yourself faithful even to death and I will give you the crown of life. Rev 2:10
Let this be my final post.
Don Martini |
