Why were Jehovah's Witnesses targeted in the Holocaust?

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses, being neutral as to political matters, refused to support Hitler's government, serve in his military, or even to "heil" him. In addition to information published by Jehovah's Witnesses is that published by such sources as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. For more information see the Related Links below.

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses weren't targetted in the Holocaust as that term refers exclusively to the genocidal slaughter of six million Jews by the Nazis in World War 2. As Jehovah's Witnesses do not follow the Jewish faith, they were not targetted as part of the Holocaust. However, along with the mentally ill and homosexuals and many other minority groups, Jehovah's Witnesses were horrifically persecuted by that evil regime.

As to why, Jehovah's Witnesses in all nations are politically neutral, including Nazi Germany. Just as they support no nation above any other, nor become involved in mankind's wars, they would not support Hitler's regime nor his war effort. (Matthew 26:52; Isaiah 2:2-4; 2 Corinthians 10:3, 4; Luke 6:27, 28; John 15:19; 17:16)

They also would not "Heil" Hitler, or ascribe salvation to him. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that we owe our salvation only to Jehovah through his Son, Jesus Christ. (Revelation 7:10), and believe that even behind that is the fact the the ruler of this world is Satan the Devil, and he hates Jehovah and his people. (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 1 John 5:19) He is out to harm us in any way he can. - Revelation 12:12 & 17.

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http://fcit.usf.edu/Holocaust/people/VictJeho.htm

The Nazis also began to suppress several Christian minorities whom they felt were subversive to their goals. Even before the war, Jehovah's Witnesses had been considered heretics by other Christian denominations and individual German states sought to limit their activities. In the early 1930's, Nazi storm troopers broke up their meetings and beat up individual Witnesses. After the Nazis came to power, the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses intensified.

http://www.ushmm.org/research/library/bibliography/?lang=en&content=jehovah

Jehovah's Witnesses endured intense persecution under the Nazi regime. Actions against the religious group and its individual members spanned the Nazi years 1933 to 1945. Unlike Jews, Sinti and Roma ("Gypsies"), and others persecuted and killed by virtue of their birth, Jehovah's Witnesses had the opportunity to escape persecution and personal harm by renouncing their religious beliefs. The courage the vast majority displayed in refusing to do so, in the face of torture, maltreatment in concentration camps, and sometimes execution, won them the respect of many contemporaries.

Answer 3

Because they remained neutral during war, for the most part. Another reason was because they refused to perform the Hitler Salute - they wanted to give the glory to Jehovah God, not a mere earthly man.

Answer 4

Adolf Hitler was a 'NUT CASE'. He wanted to kill all Jews too; and gypsies; and anyone who opposed him.

Jehovah's Witnesses stood up to him and his system. While the Jews never got the option, Hitler gave us the option to change our religion, then we'd be spared. But you know us - - we don't budge.

In fact, tons of us JWs plastered Hitler with mail back then, telling him to 'knock it off'. Guess that got up his craw, so he wanted us gone and out of his hair.

Oh well, here we are, stronger as ever; and Hitler is dead and gone. So is his regime. Now how do like them apples?

Answer 5

they didn't kill them you moron

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By 1939, about 6,000 JWs were arrested. Between 2,000 and 2,500 were sent to Concentration camps. Approx 1,500 died in the camps, with a further 250 executed by the Nazis.

Answer 6

Because they refused military service and wouldn't join Nazi organizations. Jehovah's Witnesses considered their fate to just be another test of faith, they were the preferred kind of prisoner by the Nazis as they worked hard because it brought them closer to G-d. They were not killed as often or as randomly as Jewish prisoners were.

Jehovah's Witnesses did not have to be in the concentration camps, they would be released if they renounced their faith, an option not available to Jews.

Answer 7

Because they refused to cooperate with Hitler and refused to join any effort to harm or kill their fellow man.