New Religions and the Nazis is a book that highlights an important but neglected aspect of Nazi history - the contribution of new religions and neo-paganism to the emergence of Nazi ideology.

The book shows how after the defeat of World War One intellectual and cultural leaders, who saw Christianity as undermined by nineteenth century liberalism and liberal theology, tried to form a purely national civil religion whose goal it was to replace the overcome confessions. The emphasis on German Faith, also called “positive Christianity” in Hitler’s party program, aimed to free the Third Reich of what Hauer and his followers called "Jewish-Christian Imperialism." What emerged was the totalitarian political regime of National Socialism with its anti-Semitic worldview that distilled aspects of religious doctrine into political extremism..

New Religions and the Nazis contributes to both history and anthropology. It directs attention to the need for research that focuses specifically on post-war situations, especially of the defeated, because here new political directions tend to be forged by religious means.

New Religions and the Nazis is written by Dr. Karla Poewe and is published by Routledge, Oxford (2006). CLICK HERE to order.

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