God's Rottweiler

[Canuck_Buck]

A report in a recent edition of the New York Post has sparked little public comment, probably because people would rather celebrate a new pope than begin looking for another one. Even so, the report that Joseph Ratzinger, who is now Pope Benedict XVI, was once a member of the Hitler Youth should give some people pause. "God's Rottweiler" -- as his fellow Germans have named him -- is doctrinally closer to Torquemada than he is to this guy, let alone this guy.

http://www.thisisrumorcontrol.org/node/2076

anyone else remember this story about the current Pope ?

Anyone heard anything new ?

I think most of it was true. I don't think anyone is denying it. But hey, he was a kid. I know alot of germans in the North MD, southern PA, whose mother or father was in Germany during the war.

[bergall]

'Hitler Youth' replaced the "Boy Scouts" in Germany (in 1932 ?) and changed
the activities to those of a more paramilitary nature. They were to be the
'farm team' for the 'Storm Regiment'. There was national pride in belonging to
the movement and it was considered a good thing for boys.
I don't see anything wrong with it...I think he got past his boyhood roots to
get where he is today. Where he stands doctrinally, well, I am unfamiliar with
his positions other than my impression he is a traditionalist.

[burniegoeasily]

My question, when people point out he was a Hitler youth is; Werent all male kids forced into being Hitler Youth durning that time? I dont think he had a choice.

[bergall]

ORIGINAL: burniegoeasily

My question, when people point out he was a Hitler youth is; Werent all male kids forced into being Hitler Youth durning that time? I dont think he had a choice.

I don't know if there was forced enrollment, but there sure was pressure for "good Germans" to
participate. It was a time of great nationalism and cultural pride and the youth movement embodied
most of those feelings. So in a roundabout way, I believe you're correct in this assumption.