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Teaching the Holocaust and other Genocides

Martin Luther

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Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German priest and religious reformer whose words and actions set in motion the Protestant Reformation which resulted in the division of Western Christendom between Roman Catholocism and the new Protestant sects. At the beginning of his career, Luther was somewhat sympathetic to Jewish resistance to the Catholic Church. However, he expected the Jews to convert to his purified Christianity; when they did not, he turned against them in his writings. 

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Concerning the Jews and their Lies, 1543

What then shall we Christians do with this damned, rejected race of Jews?...Since they live among us and we know about their lying and blasphemy and cursing, we can not tolerate them if we do not wish to share in their lies, curses and blasphemy. In this way we cannot quench the inextinguishable fire of divine rage (as the prophets say) nor convert the Jews…Let me give you my honest advice.

First, their synagogues or churches should be set on fire, and whatever does not burn up should be covered or spread over with dirt so that no one may ever be able to see a cinder or stone of it…Secondly, their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed… Thirdly, they should be deprived of their prayer-books…Fourthly, their rabbis must be forbidden under threat of death to teach any more…Fifthly, passport and traveling privileges should be absolutely forbidden…Sixthly, they ought to be stopped from usury…Seventhly, let the young and strong Jews and Jewesses be given the flail, the ax, the hoe, the spade, the distaff, and spindle, and let them earn their bread by the sweat of their noses…

If, however, we are afraid that they might harm us personally, or our wives, children, servants, cattle, etc. when they serve us or work for us…let us drive them out of the country for all time…away with them.

Martin Luther

Martin Luther
 

Discussion Questions

  1. What is your reaction to the text and images?   
     
  2. Why did he think Jews might follow his fundamental beliefs in the central importance of the Bible as religious authority and rejected the idea that Jesus was the savior? 
     
  3. Why did Luther write this pamphlet?   
     
  4. Why did treatment of Jews worsen after the Protestant Reformation? 

Sources

Luther, M. (1975). Concerning the Jews and Their Lies. In F. E. Talmage (Ed.), Disputation and Dialogue: Readings in the Jewish-Christian Encounter (pp. 34-36). Ktav Publishing House. (Original work published 1543).