United Liberty

Hitler certainly used Christianity as a tool for accomplishing his policy objectives. During the Nazi regime, for example, a Christian cross was given to German mothers as a symbolic gesture honoring their decision to “do the Lord’s will” and have babies. Christian imagery and symbolism proved effective propaganda tactics for Hitler, especially with respect to policies for the growth of a “strong German Nazi Volk”. Hitler seeded his Volk-expansion plans with programs which encouraged the virtues of German motherhood, including the sacred duty of motherhood and the abolition of abortions (except for the mentally ill). 

In 1938, Hitler instituted a new award to honor German Nazi motherhood, especially for large families. He awarded such mothers the cross of Honor of the German Mother (Ehrenkreuz der deutschen Mutter).

Medvedev decorated the proud parents with the Parental Glory medal he instituted by decree last year — a golden two-headed eagle on a red field backed by a blue cross. “You have created happy, unique families — big, friendly families — and I want to thank all of you,” Medvedev said at the ceremony, prominently broadcast on state-run TV newscasts.

Medvedev and Vladimir Putin, his predecessor and now prime minister, have urged Russians to have more children, whether by birth or adoption — sometimes suggesting it is a matter of public duty as much as personal choice. ”We must strive to achieve the humane treatment of children and the aspiration to create fully-fledged, big families, as measurements of the development of our society, our state,” Medvedev said.

If a blue cross and a gold eagle is not enough, the Russian government offers financial incentives for big families as well. Russian parents receive financial rewards beginning with the birth of their second child, and the Parental Glory medal comes with an award of 50,000 rubles ($1,630). Apparently, viewing female fertility as a national goal is not new to the Russian scene. According to the Moscow Times:

Treating prolific parents as heroes is a Soviet tradition dating back to World War II, when the country was depopulated by an estimated 27 million war-related deaths. Some women with many children were granted the title “Mother-Hero.” Medvedev said births increased strongly in the last two years, partly as a result of the state’s efforts.

I’m sure former US President W Bush is looking on Russia’s pro-natalist policy with envy right now. After all, it seems a perfect mesh of Bush’s desire to de-sacralize Christianity by politicizing it. The US Order of the Big Family could have been a fantastic faith-based initiative…