Nazi Occultism | LIES | Extra History

This podcast addresses viewer questions about the 'Nazi Occultism' episode of 'Extra History,' clarifying topics like Hitler's religious beliefs, the origins of the swastika, and the impact of Nazi ideology on scientific research. The host discusses how certain fringe beliefs could influence a broader population, even if they weren't widely accepted, and emphasizes the importance of understanding how beliefs, true or false, have shaped historical events.

Hitler's Religiosity

• 00:00:44 While baptized Catholic, Hitler did not actively practice the faith after age 18 and often denigrated Christianity. His personal beliefs are debated, but he likely was functionally atheist while using Christianity as a political tool, particularly to contrast with Judaism.

Swastika Origins

• 00:10:27 The swastika is a widely used symbol with diverse meanings across cultures and religions, representing good fortune, prosperity, and the sun in Hinduism and Buddhism. In the Nazi era, the symbol became associated with hateful ideology, making its visual depiction on YouTube problematic.

Nazi Science

• 00:11:49 Nazi Germany's scientific progress was hindered by its adherence to superstitious beliefs, the expulsion of Jewish academics, and a rejection of scientific findings that contradicted Nazi ideology. While some engineering feats were impressive, the overall scientific advancement was negatively impacted.

Defining Jewishness

• 00:16:26 The Nuremberg Laws were designed to define Jewishness based on ancestry and, to a lesser extent, religious practice. However, the definitions were ambiguous and easily manipulated, highlighting how the Nazis used a shaky concept of ethnic identification to persecute people.

Genocide Comparisons

• 00:28:51 Comparing genocides like the Nazi persecution of Jews in Europe to the American treatment of Native Americans is problematic. Instead, it's more helpful to look at the parallels between American attitudes towards Japanese soldiers during WWII and the racism embedded in American government policy at the time.