The Straight Dope: Was Martin Luther responsible for the Holocaust?

[View this message as a web page] [The Straight Dope] 12/23/2016 Dear Cecil: Did Martin Luther, founder of the Protestant Reformation, instigate the Holocaust with his anti-Jewish writings, including his infamous On the Jews and Their Lies? — Curious in Colorado Cecil replies: Did Martin Luther instigate the Holocaust? Call me a traditionalist, but I figure that accomplishment can stay on Hitler’s rap sheet. What we can safely say, though, is that (a) yes, the father of the Reformation did express starkly anti-Semitic sentiments in print and at great length — in the treatise you name, he explicitly advocates the persecution of German Jews, saying at one point "We are at fault in not slaying them" — and (b) the Nazis couldn't get enough of it. Luther hardly invented anti-Semitism, but as a towering presence in German culture, he proved very useful in legitimizing the aims of the Third Reich. For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC — 12/26/1997 Dear Cecil: Over one hundred years ago, on September 21, 1897, a little girl with great doubts asked the editor of the New York Sun for the answer to a question that had been bothering her. There was no Straight Dope then, so she had to settle. The Sun came up with an answer, a good answer, the correct answer. But folks have forgotten it, or no longer believe it. The man who answered her question was just a staff writer who got the assignment from his boss. He wasn't the World's Smartest Human, like you are. He didn't command the respect that you do. So, I hope you won't mind settling this question once and for all, for all the little Annies, Ryans, Joshes, Megans, and Tammys in the world. If I may paraphrase: Dear Cecil: I am 47 years old. Some of my friends on the Straight Dope Message Board say there is no Santa Claus. JKFabian says, "If you see it in the Straight Dope it's so." Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus? — Ranger Jeff, The Idol of American Youth Cecil replies: Let's just say his existence can't be definitely ruled out. For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE STAFF REPORT — 10/12/2000 Dear Straight Dope: I'm from St. Louis, MO. And I've grown up in a big fishing family. Now I've been around a lot of lakes, but one thing always amazes me. In the Lake of the Ozarks there is a fish called a drum. It is the most useless and depressing fish in the world. The thing never dies, you can stand there with a club and whack it for a long time, it'll live. You can't eat 'em, so all they do is get huge. I've caught my fair share, and you think you have a great bass or something that's useful. You're all excited and stuff and you reel it in, bring out the net and you see the ugliest thing you can ever imagine. A useless DRUM. Tell me, WHAT DOES THIS THING DO!!! — FatDrag0n SDStaff Jillgat replies: Let's say the freshwater drum isn't an attractive, interesting, tasty fish (ignoring for the moment that there are folks who say it is all those things). A forty-pounder that puts up a good fight on your line is NOT a useless fish. Some people would be happy to catch a forty-pound ANYTHING, assuming it isn't, say, an inner tube. Get with the program, Tony … you call yourself a fisherman? For more, see: [ YOUR AD HERE! Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks. For rates and details contact Rich at [rhummel@suntimes.com]. Copyright © 2016 Sun-Times Media, LLC. This email was sent by The Straight Dope, Sun-Times Media, LLC., 350 N. Orleans, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654 [Unsubscribe/update preferences] This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To change or update your newsletter subscription preferences, or to unsubscribe from all Chicago Reader and Straight Dope newsletters and promotional communications, [click here]. Please allow 72 hours for this change to take effect.