HitIer Youth in high ranking positions today

While I want this to be a broad question, I can't ignore its origin. I had no idea that Pope Benedict was a member of the Hitler Youth growing up...And that sits funnily with me, even though my parents enrolled me in the Boy Scouts and I didn't want to do it. Given the turmoil of the region, it was probably not his decision, but it is still a large stigma to carry.

However, should the stigma of something like that be brushed aside with him, or anyone else in a high ranking position politcally or religiously? Why or why not?

Considering it was join or die in some cases, I don't blame them.

Considering it was join or die in some cases, I don't blame them.

FalcoLX

He openly defied the Nazi party. Hes lucky to still be alive, but he wouldn't have the right to be alive in any other case.

Pope Benedict, I think, has made pretty clear efforts to separate himself from and denounce all aspects of Nazi Germany. Do you have any other examples of Hitler Youth or people associated with the Nazi party in the 30's and 40's in positions of power? I'm having a hard time thinking of any.

Considering it was join or die in some cases, I don't blame them.

FalcoLX

Pope Benedict, I think, has made pretty clear efforts to separate himself from and denounce all aspects of Nazi Germany. Do you have any other examples of Hitler Youth or people associated with the Nazi party in the 30's and 40's in positions of power?Locke562

How old was he when he was in the HY?

Considering it was join or die in some cases, I don't blame them.

FalcoLX

How old was he when he was in the HY?

Legendaryscmt

Pope Benedict, I think, has made pretty clear efforts to separate himself from and denounce all aspects of Nazi Germany. Do you have any other examples of Hitler Youth or people associated with the Nazi party in the 30's and 40's in positions of power? I'm having a hard time thinking of any.

Locke562

[QUOTE="Legendaryscmt"]

How old was he when he was in the HY?

spazzx625

Well, considering that age, I think it should really only matter if he actually did something while a member of the HY, but at the same time, we've all probably done something stupid around that age.

[QUOTE="spazzx625"][QUOTE="Legendaryscmt"]

How old was he when he was in the HY?

Legendaryscmt

Well, considering that age, I think it should really only matter if he actually did something while a member of the HY, but at the same time, we've all probably done something stupid around that age.

eh....can't fault someone for something they were probably forced to participate in as a kid.

He seems to have renounced Nazi ideals, so it's best to just move on.

*shrug* Heck even adults joined the nazi party and figured out it wasn't all that great.

*shrug* Heck even adults joined the nazi party and figured out it wasn't all that great.

duxup

[QUOTE="duxup"]

*shrug* Heck even adults joined the nazi party and figured out it wasn't all that great.

spazzx625

But little did they know the cake was a lie...

[QUOTE="FalcoLX"]

Considering it was join or die in some cases, I don't blame them.

DPhunkT

[QUOTE="spazzx625"][QUOTE="Legendaryscmt"]

How old was he when he was in the HY?

Legendaryscmt

Well, considering that age, I think it should really only matter if he actually did something while a member of the HY, but at the same time, we've all probably done something stupid around that age.

Actually it was considered cooler to be in one of the "Pirate" gangs that attacked the Nazi Youth, of course you were executed if caught and that only happened in mid 1940's.

Before I say anything else, are you sure the source is reliable? Is it true that Pope Benedict was part of the Hitler Youth? If its true, my question is whether or not he wanted to join them (it wasn't much of a choice because the Hitler Youth was a join-or-die organization).

[QUOTE="Legendaryscmt"]

When he was 14, according to Wikipedia.spazzx625

Well, considering that age, I think it should really only matter if he actually did something while a member of the HY, but at the same time, we've all probably done something stupid around that age.

Actually it was considered cooler to be in one of the "Pirate" gangs that attacked the Nazi Youth, of course you were executed if caught and that only happened in mid 1940's.

Before I say anything else, are you sure the source is reliable? Is it true that Pope Benedict was part of the Hitler Youth? If its true, my question is whether or not he wanted to join them (it wasn't much of a choice because the Hitler Youth was a join-or-die organization).

Wolf-Man2006

nocoolnamejim

While I want this to be a board question, I can't ignore its origin. I had no idea that Pope Benedict was a member of the Hitler Youth growing up...And that sits funnily with me, even though my parents enrolled me in the Boy Scouts and I didn't want to do it. Given the turmoil of the region, it was probably not his decision, but it is still a large stigma to carry.

However, should the stigma of something like that be brushed aside with him, or anyone else in a high ranking position politcally or religiously? Why or why not?

[QUOTE="ishoturface"][ son of a *****spazzx625

The Pope has talked about his conscription in the Hitler Youth before, and no, it was not willingly.

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]spazzx625

Would you prefer the Pope be a Zionist Gentile with sympathy for nothing but Israel? The Pope is *trying* to bring peace between the three religions; sympathy for the Palestinians is going to come up.

[QUOTE="spazzx625"][QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]Theokhoth

Would you prefer the Pope be a Zionist Gentile with sympathy for nothing but Israel? The Pope is *trying* to bring peace between the three religions; sympathy for the Palestinians is going to come up.

[QUOTE="spazzx625"][QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]Theokhoth

Would you prefer the Pope be a Zionist Gentile with sympathy for nothing but Israel? The Pope is *trying* to bring peace between the three religions; sympathy for the Palestinians is going to come up.

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]spazzx625

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

[QUOTE="spazzx625"]I agree with the church acting forgivingly, but I'm not sure that I would be comfortable allowing someone to simply repent affiliation with a group associated with the slaughter of a 'rival' religion. I think that is the biggest issue here, and the reason it's in the news at all is because of his sympathy towards Palestinians in the Gaza region.spazzx625

Would you prefer the Pope be a Zionist Gentile with sympathy for nothing but Israel? The Pope is *trying* to bring peace between the three religions; sympathy for the Palestinians is going to come up.

Why do the Jews need forgiveness for WW2?

As for sympathy, I don't think he's not giving any sympathy. In addition, since he's trying to bring peace to two countries that have opposed eachother for centuries, he's going to be on a scale.

As for acknowledgement, the Pope has written books and been interviewed about the stuff that happened in WW2; his past life and his thoughts on the subject are well-known.

I rather keep an eye on what people in high ranking positions are doing right now than expect them to do something wrong because of the past.
I'm very much against the stigma system, against publishing names or other information like criminal records.
The focus should be placed on making those people better, and they shouldn't be released until we think they are. And when we think they are, we shouldn't make it harder for them to live a normal life than for other people.
I also don't believe that the court should decide in a way to satisfy the pursuers, but to solve the situation and nothing more.

The hitler youth never actually done anything.. they were simply taught to look after themselves and respect there fuhrer. They never done anything illegal, and i think that those in high positions should be given more credit than theyget.. i mean they were brought up under a racist, facist government and in the end came out without those ideals brushing of on them.

[QUOTE="duxup"] I think you've got to give him more of a break than that. Dude was what? 14 years old? That was what nearly 70 years ago? If there were evidence the dude was still active or doing stuff thru his career that supported the same ideology I'd agree but that was a long time ago.spazzx625

Why should it be?

Well since he is a religious figure its ok, I mean he doesn't have a major influence on the most powerful nations of the world, not to downplay his power but seriously when was the last time the nations of the world banded together under Christendom.

Why do the Jews need forgiveness for WW2?

Theokhoth

Before I say anything else, are you sure the source is reliable? Is it true that Pope Benedict was part of the Hitler Youth? If its true, my question is whether or not he wanted to join them (it wasn't much of a choice because the Hitler Youth was a join-or-die organization).

Wolf-Man2006

Why do the Jews need forgiveness for WW2?

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

Why do the Jews need forgiveness for WW2?

spazzx625

Why should he do that when

1. He did not do it willingly, and

2. He did nothing wrong while in there?

Why should he do that when

1. He did not do it willingly, and

2. He did nothing wrong while in there?

Theokhoth

Why should he do that when

1. He did not do it willingly, and

2. He did nothing wrong while in there?

The hitler youth never actually done anything.. they were simply taught to look after themselves and respect there fuhrer. They never done anything illegal, and i think that those in high positions should be given more credit than theyget.. i mean they were brought up under a racist, facist government and in the end came out without those ideals brushing of on them.

RiseAgainst12