Christianity Quote by Raul Hilberg
“The missionaries of Christianity had said in effect: You have no right to live among us as Jews. The secular rulers who followed had proclaimed: You have no right to live among us. The German Nazis at last decreed: You have no right to live.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Destruction of the European Jews by Raul Hilberg, 1961
The quote shows how successive regimes progressively stripped Jews of basic rights, culminating in the Nazis’ denial of their right to live.
In simple terms: Rights were stripped step by step, ending in denial of existence.
Recognize how incremental oppression can lead to genocide.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education curricula
- human rights advocacy
- policy analysis
- memorial design
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societies allow incremental loss of rights?
- What safeguards can prevent such escalation?
Even with warning signs, societies may ignore early injustices.