The Psychology of Obedience

As a World War II veteran, I have always wondered how Adolph Hitler, the "Fuehrer" (the Leader), could gain so much support in a nation where most of the people were Christian—Lutheran and Catholic. Why did so few raise their voices against the gathering storm? Father Bernard Häring, one of the best-known moral theologians in the Catholic Church 40 years ago, was honest enough to admit, "The Lutherans and the Catholics set up the German nation for Adolph Hitler by emphasizing obedience to authority to such an extent that they were all suitable Nazis."

Germans who had hesitations about serving in the military and obeying questionable orders were told that the issues were very complex and that they should simply trust in their superiors’ wisdom and obey. Everyone was united in fear against a common enemy—the Communists and then the Jews—under a strong leader. Wrote Häring, "Many Catholic bishops and clergy...played a very sad and compliant role—a role that stressed obedience to Caesar when indeed obedience to Christ was called for."