While there does seem to be some disagreement among historians about the degree of Adolf Hitler's religious beliefs, I think it's inaccurate for Jennifer Kim, in her May 16 letter, to claim his Catholicism was abandoned in his youth.
Published in 1925 and 1926, "Mein Kampf" includes a plethora of religious statements. For example, on page 46, Hitler wrote, "I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator." On page 65, he wrote: "I am convinced that I am acting as the agent of our Almighty Creator. By fighting the Jews, I am doing the Lord's work."
Kim might argue that 1925 was part of Hitler's "youth." Well, how about 1941 when he told Gerhard Engel, "I am now as before a Catholic and will always remain so." Surely 1941 was not part of Hitler's youth. The Nazi uniform belt buckle included the words "Gott mit uns" or "God is with us."
Based on Hitler's own words (written and spoken), I don't understand how Kim can claim that Hitler's Catholicism was abandoned in his youth or at any other time in his life.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.
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