Complaint Accuses Evangelical Church in Thuringia, Germany, of Using Bells With Nazi Symbols

Relatives of Nazi victims have accused the Evangelical Church in Thuringia, Germany, of violating the ban on Nazi symbols by continuing to use church bells that bear them. Jewish organizations in the state have also objected, saying the continued use of the bells amounts to a form of near-historic amnesia.

According to a report by the German Voice, a complaint alleges that five churches of the Evangelical Church in Thuringia use six Nazi bells, and that they do so on the International Day of Remembrance of the Massacre. The complainant, who did not want to reveal his identity, said he had repeatedly asked the church to stop using the bells but had received no response (Luke 12:48).

The Evangelical Church said it would discuss the issue at its April meeting. A spokesperson said Nazi symbols could be removed but that any removal would be subject to the relevant regulations. The spokesperson added that the bells are not open to the public and said the church was confident a good solution would be found.

A Jewish organization in Thuringia had filed a complaint regarding the bells at the end of January. Its president, Reinhard Scramm, said the churches’ use of the bells was painful for Jews and amounted to near-historic amnesia.

Deputy Governor Heike Taubert of Thuringia said, “these Nazi bells belong to the dark side of our history,” and said she did not object to removing or replacing them. She added that if the church decides to abolish the bells, the state government could provide the relevant funding.

The complainant also accused the local church in Herxheim of using a bell bearing a Nazi emblem and the inscription “All for the sake of the country—Adolf Hitler.” The town council considered the bell a tribute to “violence and injustice.” The complainant argued that it was a mockery of “the victims of Hitler’s violent tyranny.”

German press reports, cited by the source, state that as of last year at least 23 Nazi bells were still hanging in churches throughout Germany.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)