Redeemed: Overcoming the Shadows of Hitler's Master Race Children

Hitler's 'Master Race' Children: Haunted by Their Past

The Lebensborn program, implemented between 1935 and 1945, aimed to create an Aryan 'master race' by selectively breeding children in Germany and Norway. The program encouraged SS men to mate with blonde, blue-eyed Nordic girls who had no Jewish ancestry, in order to produce racially pure German offspring. The babies born from this program were either raised by dedicated Nazi couples or placed in special orphanages.

The Lebensborn program was a manifestation of social Darwinism or eugenics, which applied Darwinian evolution to improve the birthrate of the 'fit' and reduce the birthrate of the 'less fit.' This ideology gained acceptance in Germany due to the influence of Darwin's works, particularly "Origin of Species" and "Descent of Man," which were translated into German. Additionally, Darwin's cousin Francis Galton's articles on eugenics were also translated into German.

Hitler embraced these ideas and became a chief proponent of Darwinist racist views. In his autobiography, "Mein Kampf," Hitler expressed his belief that it was criminal to train individuals who he considered to be only anthropoids by birth, such as a person of African descent, as lawyers. He believed in cooperating with the evolutionary process and increasing the population of the most fit people to displace others in the struggle for existence.

Evolutionary ideas heavily influenced Hitler's thinking. His book "Mein Kampf" is filled with concepts like struggle, selection, survival of the fittest, and extinction of the weak. Hitler justified his racism by appealing to Darwinian science, arguing that nature does not wish weaker individuals to mate with stronger ones and that a superior race should not intermingle with an inferior one.

After World War II, the children born from the Lebensborn program faced significant challenges. Many lived in confusion and experienced ostracism due to their illegitimate status as products of a Nazi propagation program. In Norway, children born to Norwegian mothers and German soldiers faced discrimination, harassment, and violence. These children had to confront the shame and horror of discovering their past and the fact that they were bred to be part of the next generation of Nazi elite.

This dark chapter in history serves as a reminder that the idea of one race being superior to others is fallacious. According to the Bible, all humans are related, descended from Adam and Eve, and later from Noah's family after the Flood. If Hitler and his Nazi associates had embraced the biblical teaching that all humans are equal before the Creator God, neither the Lebensborn program nor the Holocaust would have occurred.

Why This Matters

Understanding the historical events surrounding the Lebensborn program provides insight into the consequences of distorted ideologies and discriminatory beliefs. Examining how Darwinian evolution influenced Hitler's thinking highlights the danger of misapplying scientific theories to justify racism and eugenics. It is crucial to recognize the inherent value and equality of every human life, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Think About It

Consider how the misuse of scientific ideas can lead to devastating consequences. Reflect on the importance of promoting a worldview that values every individual as created in the image of God. How can we learn from this dark period in history to prevent similar injustices in the future?