Reactions
The Declaration was viewed by many Germans as a further capitulation to the Allies and a betrayal of German interests; one signatory asked the foreign churchmen to refrain from publishing the Declaration, entirely contrary to the purpose of obtaining it in the first place. Various interpretations and arguments were raised by some members the EKD Council to try to deflect the criticisms raised against them by irate parishioners:
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- that the Declaration was merely an internal church document that did not attempt to address political guilt for the war;
- that only the German leadership had to be ashamed; or
- that it was not traitorous to confess guilt.
Of the eleven signatories, only Niemoller chose to publicize it: "For the next two years", he claimed, "I did nothing but preach the Declaration to people." This bold approach, along with his internment at Dachau, helped create his controversial reputation.
Read more about this topic: Stuttgart Declaration Of Guilt
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