nice site devoted to photos of hitler, the nazis and religion

http://www.nobeliefs.com/nazis.htm

Many of these photos, not all, are new to me. For at least a few years, there's been something of a debate as to whether or not hitler and his thugs were atheists or Christians. The answer is that both were tolerated within the party, the important thing was that they be subservient to the party and the state. As for hitler's personal beliefs, I think the most accurate thing to say is that on an intellectual level they were a muddle, bordering on the childish, while in action they were a prop used by successful demagogues anywhere - with both a push and pull tactic to get the crowds on one's side and keep them there, using whatever wordage or symbolism was convenient at the time.
As for the church's in Germany. I can only claim a certain familiarity with the Lutheran and Catholic, and for the most part their efforts ranged from silence or muted objection to open and slavish support.