Hitler's Table Talk

NATIONAL SOCIALISM AND CHRISTIANITY 145
own rôle. Joy exists for everybody. I dream of a state of affairs
in which every man would know that he lives and dies for the
preservation of the species. It's our duty to encourage that idea :
let the man who distinguishes himself in the service of the species
be thought worthy of the highest honours.
What a happy inspiration, to have kept the clergy out of the
Party! On the 2ist March 1933, at Potsdam, the question was
raised: with the Church, or without the Church? I conquered
the State despite the malediction pronounced on us by both
creeds. On that day, we went directly to the tomb of the kings
whilst the others were visiting religious services. Supposing that
at that period I'd made a pact with the Churches, I'd to-day
be sharing the lot of the Duce. By nature the Duce is a freethinker,
but he decided to choose the path of concessions. For
my part, in his place I'd have taken the path of revolution.
I'd have entered the Vatican and thrown everybody out—
reserving the right to apologise later: "Excuse me, it was a
mistake." But the result would have been, they'd have been
outside !
When all is said, we have no reason to wish that the Italians
and Spaniards should free themselves from the drug of Christianity.
Let's be the only people who are immunised against the
disease.
76 14th December 1941, midday
SPECIAL GUESTS : ROSENBERG, BOUHLER, HIMMLER
Incompatibility of National Socialism and Christianity—
The Popes of the Renaissance—A poisoned source.
Kerrl, with the noblest of intentions, wanted to attempt a
synthesis between National Socialism and Christianity. I don't
believe the thing's possible, and I see the obstacle in Christianity
itself.
I think I could have come to an understanding with the
Popes of the Renaissance. Obviously, their Christianity was a
danger on the practical level—and, on the propaganda level, it
continued to be a lie. But a Pope, even a criminal one, who
protects great artists and spreads beauty around him, is never-