Hitler, Religion, and War

Psychologically and character formative, the early childhood religious teachings have life long lasting effects...

 

As an altar boy in the Catholic church, he was actively involved and participating in the Catholic religion in his youth. "Hitler renounced the faith of his childhood though he continued to utilize Christian imagery and vocabulary in his speeches and books. "

 

Perhaps he learned via the Catholic church how to communicate to the masses, to motivate, conform, and program their minds to fulfill his movement's mission, no matter how deviant from sanity it was? He might have perceived the hierarchy and power of the Catholic church as something within his power to emulate and did so with hubris glorifying himself instead of God and his laws?  He might have learned superficial dogmatic doctrine, to practice rote rights and rituals rather than learning true agape love or necessity of developing his spiritual growth according to God's teachings? 

 

So much of the Catholic church is façade, frozen fresco, elaborate edifices and iconic images rather than truly focusing on democratically developing one's own inner enlightenment and spiritual growth; spiritual growth must be achieved individually, the self responds to innate motivation to develop social morals and ethics positively rather than negatively. One can be taught, but it useless effort unless the lesson is learned.  It requires earnest effort to learn what is being taught. It is useless to merely possess intelligence, you must use it. Similarly you can attend church and hear the sermon, but unless you listen and actively process and assimilate in your mind what you hear you might as well not have bothered to go unless it was merely for hypocritical show.  Many churches of all religions have those who are there merely for show (hypocrites); but even so bless them anyway and gratefully accept their helpful support of their church hoping they will come the next time earnestly desiring to draw closer to God and be faithful.

 

I believe also that Hitler's experiences as a soldier in World War I deadened part of his soul and shattered what remained; he expressed himself as an artist by focusing on ruined buildings and landmarks, but he never painted persons or people. His subjects were buildings, always empty of life perhaps like his soul was now, an empty shell as a result of traumatic experiences witnessed and practiced being a soldier during the cruelties of war.  Maybe his soldier training and front line duty like a grenade blew out his mind leaving only burned, distorted fragments of his early training in religion. He was unable to rekindle, even with his art and paintings, the necessary ability to communicate within his heart and his soul's pathway to God's for help when asked, but instead his damaged self dialed the devil with his questing mind who took his soul for the call. He fell into bad company and the rest is regrettable history.