Friedrich Behr (theologian)

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Friedrich Behr (born July 15, 1898 in Lobenstein , Principality of Reuss younger line , † August 4, 1958 in Arnstadt ) was a German Protestant theologian and director of the Marienstift Arnstadt . During the time of National Socialism , Behr resolutely opposed the euthanasia program and thus protected the lives of many children who were supposed to be killed by the Nazi regime as " life unworthy of life" .

Live and act

Friedrich Behr visited the High School in Gera and placed there in 1917 because of the First World War the Notabitur from. In the military he was used in the office for health reasons. After studying theology, from 1924 to 1929 he headed a parish in Thuringia consisting of five villages. In 1929 he took over the management of the Arnstadt Marienstift . Together with the chief physician of the monastery, he campaigned for the promotion of the physically handicapped and gave numerous lectures on the early detection and treatment of disabilities.

Since the seizure of power by the National Socialists posed a threat to the work of the Marienstift, Behr joined the NSDAP in 1933 after consultation with the Erfurt German-Christian leadership of the Inner Mission in order to continue to work effectively for the physically handicapped in the Marienstift.

In 1934, Behr spoke out publicly against forced sterilization and against the impunity of euthanasia and the killing of unworthy life . So he stopped on the occasion of the related discussions at the then so-called XIII. German Congress for Cripple Welfare a lecture in which he emphasized the value of every life in the context of the Christian faith.

As a result, Behr ran the risk of being arrested, was under surveillance and faced various charges. With reprisals, the Nazi regime tried to hinder the work in the Marienstift by hitting Behr z. B. Forbidden collections for the monastery, no longer paying out the maintenance rates through the health insurances and revoked the tax exemption of the monastery.

The Thuringian church leadership loyal to the regime in Eisenach issued Behr a professional ban for his service in the Arnstadt churches. He then held services in the church hall of the Marienstift, which were well attended.

Behr advocated on various occasions that the patients from the Marienstift were not taken to extermination camps within the framework of the euthanasia laws .

After the Second World War , Behr continued to run the clinic under Soviet occupation, although he was monitored by the GDR Ministry for State Security because of his church contacts with West Germany, whereby his opposition to National Socialism benefited him.

Private

Behr married Margarete Müller in 1925. There were three sons from the marriage, one of whom died in childhood (1929).

Publications

  • From the hidden blessing in our suffering . Ed .: Press office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thuringia, Evangelische Verlagsanstalt Berlin, 1956
  • Help in life from faith . Compiled from the estate by Johannes Heinrich Behr. Ed .: Press office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thuringia, Evangelische Verlagsanstalt Berlin, 1966

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h Margot Käßmann, Anke Silomon: God wants to see deeds: Christian resistance against Hitler . CH Beck, 2013, ISBN 978-3-406-64454-2 ( google.de [accessed April 29, 2020]).
personal data
SURNAME Behr, Friedrich
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German Protestant theologian
DATE OF BIRTH July 15, 1898
PLACE OF BIRTH Praise stone
DATE OF DEATH 4th August 1958
Place of death Arnstadt