Collectivism 138, Part 5: Navigating the High Seas of Conspiracy Theories

Written 1981, Revised 2014

Hello there, and welcome back to Awful Christian Education!

This is Part 5 of my review for Collectivism 138, a PACE in the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum (ACE). All of these PACEs were written by a fascist goon named Donald Howard. If you don’t know what PACEs are, and need context for the scope of these reviews, check out Collectivism 133, Part 1 posted below:

In Part 4, we discussed The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Masters of Deceit, and None Dare Call It Conspiracy, identifying them as primary sources that inform the PACE text. Donald’s worldview was wholly based upon the paranoid ideas put forth in these volumes, and make up a large part of the ACE curriculum. By this point in their education, it’s been hammered into the student’s psyche that there is an eternal, international conspiracy (fueled by Satanic spirit magic) to control the minds of men. Specifically men, as there is no place for women in this fundamentalist culture.

Today, we’ll be continuing our examination of Donald’s presentations of conspiracy theories, secret societies, and esoteric nonsense by covering the section in this PACE concerning the Vehmgerichtes and Teutonic Knights. It’s impossible to overstate how much importance these unsubstantiated stories have in this curriculum, and the negative impacts they have on the student’s education. All of these conspiracy theories serve a dual purpose, and today’s is particularly sinister.

Additionally, we’ll identify yet another instance in which Donald lifted his story from an author who goes entirely uncredited. It’s unfortunate that ACE makes well over $110 million annually on the claim that their curriculum is based on original research that is “all done in-house,” and divinely inspired.

In Collectivism 134, whole sections of the PACE were plagiarized from the Britannica, while others were simply reworded like a 6th grade book report. In this PACE, Donald ripped his essay on the Vehmgerichtes from an obscure book titled The Thousand Year Conspiracy: Secret Germany Behind the Mask (1943), by Paul Winkler. This book is an extremely suspicious source to use, and it plays a role in Donald’s strategy to obfuscate what fascism is, how to identify it, and how to stop it.

Winkler’s book makes the case that Hitler didn’t run Germany, but rather that the Order of the Teutonic Knights and the Vehmgerichtes did, using Hitler as their public face. Winkler’s position is that every other historical explanation for the rise of Nazism is inferior to his conspiracy theory that WW2 was the product of a “thousand year conspiracy” by secret societies. It begins with this premise: “This book attempts to contribute to the work of identification of the forces behind Nazism. It results from research undertaken to substantiate this hypothesis: that Nazism is not the product of some "spontaneous generation" crystallized by Hitler's evil genius; and that it is not—as it has often been described—simply a reaction to the harsh terms of the Versailles treaty; finally, that Nazism does not derive from some basic trait of the German character.” A few pages later, he doubles down, “the conclusions of present-day pacifists—to the effect that "War doesn't pay," or "If the Treaty of Versailles had not been so harsh, this war would never have broken out"—prove singularly impotent.”

While we’re not here to address Winkler, having spent a fair amount of time in this text and knowing where this story goes, I am very suspicious of his motivations. Particularly because he’s combating a windmill to push a conspiracy theory. No good-faith actor would pretend that there was any one single reason behind the rise of the Nazis, nor would they argue with one who did. Rejecting the problems arising out of the Treaty of Versailles, and putting them on equal or inferior footing with an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory is deeply irresponsible, and doesn’t “contribute” to anything.

Both Donald’s PACE and Winkler’s book start the same way.

Here’s the PACE:

Exhibit 309

In a 1921 Parliament meeting of the German State of Bavaria, Representative Karl Gareis startled his fellow legislators by (1) displaying a huge stack of papers, and (2) announcing to that assemblage: “I have here the evidence of a thousand year’s conspiracy — evidence which I shall present to you shortly.” Deputy Gareis, however, never elaborated on that statement. A few days later, unknown assailants brutally murdered him and stole all his personal effects! It would seem apparent Gareis’ remark could only have had reference to one or both of two specific German institutions, which possessed the necessary antiquity and continuity — (1) the Order of the Teutonic Knights and (2) the Secret Tribunal of the Vehmgerichtes… Both groups have been seen as playing an important role in the Nazi seizure of the modern German nation.

Collectivism 138, page 47

When Donald writes “Both groups have been seen as…,” he means by Winkler, and Winkler alone. Here’s Winkler’s opener:

*his “Fehme” and Donald’s “Vehmgerichtes” are the same thing

Deputy Gareis, with a heavy pile of documents in his hands, made a statement to the other Deputies which none of them seemed able to understand: "I have here the evidence of a thousand years' conspiracy—evidence which I shall present to you shortly.” A few days later Gareis was murdered. The criminal escaped punishment and the incident was practically forgotten. The evidence to which Gareis had referred was never revealed… In any case, we know this much: that Gareis had spoken of a "conspiracy going back a thousand years" which he intended to reveal. He must have been referring to one of the only two German organizations which stemmed from the Middle Ages: the Fehme and the Teutonic Order.”

Before we address Donald’s motivations for using this conspiracy theory, let’s address a few of the many issues with the baseline premise.

Imagine someone in the U.S. Congress pulling out a massive stack of papers and claiming that it’s evidence of an elaborate criminal conspiracy. Why didn’t Gareis explain what he meant in the moment? Did no one ask any follow up questions? Was Gareis considered to be a lunatic like Marjorie Taylor Greene? Why was all this evidence allowed to leave the building in the first place? Why/how didn’t “the other Deputies” recognize that Gareis was referencing the Fehme and Teutonic Knights, but Winkler did? Where is the evidence for any of this now?

None of these questions are addressed in either Winkler’s book or Donald’s PACE, which brings us to the “why” of this narrative.

In Germany around 1920, right-wing terrorists getting off scot-free for murdering socialists and left-leaning politicians was extremely common. Following the conclusion of WW1, over 350 left-of-center politicians were murdered in a matter of years. There is no rhyme or reason to legitimately think this murder was anything other than a political hit by right-wing extremists. Spinning this tale into a conspiracy theory allows Donald to avoid discussing right-wing terrorism, which was one of the primary causes for the rise of Nazism. Counter to Donald’s and Winkler’s narrative, every newspaper which ascribed a motivation to Gareis’s assassination, did so in a similar way as The Northern Herald, as “a political crime, arising out of his demands for disarmament of the city guards.” - Jun 15, 1921 ·Page 5.

The footnotes in this Exhibit link to Winkler’s original paragraphs because I want to make it clear that ACE is selling this narrative, for profit, on the claim that the PACEs are entirely comprised of original research:

Exhibit 310

The Secret Tribunal of the Vehmgerichtes was established sometime during Medieval period, BUT most assuredly its traditions harken[sic] back to a pre-Christian, pagan era. The underlying concept of that organization stemmed from the ancient Germanic custom which allowed all “manorial lords” the authority to exercise ABSOLUTE judgement over their serfs…¹

Originally, all Wissende [*“Illuminated” members*] who reached the level of Freigraffen [*middle management*] were from prominent Westphalian families ONLY. That elite group alleged that the privilege had been granted to their ancestors by Karl de Gross (Charlemagne)! Because of that tradition, initially all Vehmic trials were held ONLY in Westphalia, but the Secret Tribunal of the Vehmgerichtes claimed jurisdiction in ALL the German states.² Furthermore, the Archbishop of Cologne, who owned the title of “the Lord of Westphalia,” was at least the nominal Grand Master of theVehmgerichtes…³

Usually those Vehmic courts were convened out of doors — in open fields, in forest clearings, or on hilltops. It was considered especially desirable to dispense Vehmic “justice” under one or more trees, preferably a Linden tree…. If a respondent [*defendant*]… was found guilty, sentence was carried out on the spot without further ado or appeal.Vehmic executions were accomplished by means of hanging the prisoner from the nearest tree and leaving his body for the birds and wild beasts. His earthly property was declared forfeited, and his wife and children were considered without inheritance or rights.⁴ In order to distinguish a “legal” Vehmic execution from a common lynching, a dagger was stuck into the hanging tree.⁵

Collectivism 138, page 47, 48

If ACE simply admitted that it used outside sources, I would be less inclined to call this plagiarism. But since they claim it’s original research, this is fucked, regardless of what I think about Winkler. Copying phrases like, “at least the nominal/at least nominally,” “without further ado,” “the beasts and the birds/the birds and wild beasts,” “pre-Christian, pagan” (a concept Donald doesn’t even believe in), and likewise “air-quoting” manorial lords is just so lazy…

Buuuut, you know Donald. He had to add his own flair to this story to serve his disinformation campaign against children. From what I can tell, most of this conclusion is Donald’s original ballyhoo, and includes another coverup of a murder committed by fascists. Donald chose this source in order to whitewash fascist crimes:

Exhibit 311

On February 21, 1919, Bavarian Republic Premier Kurt Eisner was shot to death in the streets of Munich. Some authorities have charged that the murder was a Vehmic execution. It has also been asserted that Eisner’s assassination had been plotted by members of the secret Thule Society (which we shall discuss more fully later). There is considerable evidence that the Thule Society was an offshoot of the Teutonic Knights! Moreover, many historians believe the ancient “Holy” Vehme lived on in the Third Reich as Adolf Hitler’s so-called Nazi “werewolf” packs! Also, let us ponder the curious fact that one of the most influential pro-Nazi newspapers published in Westphalia was called Die Rote Erde!⁶ Finally, at Wewlsburg Castle, located in the mountains of WESTPHALIA, Nazi Reichsfuhrer S.S. Heinrich Himmler constructed a secret chamber which contained a circular altar and twelve stone tablets, each emblazoned with the family crest of a high ranking officer of the Schutz Staffel (“defense corps”). That S.S. temple in the heart of the Vehmgerichtes’ Die rote Erde was a twentieth-century meeting room of the Order of the Teutonic Knights!

Collectivism 138, page 49

No, it wasn’t, and it’s absurd that five pages of text were dedicated to making this case, when it’s conclusion is so easily refuted. The Teutonic Knights were outlawed by Hitler in 1938. While the Nazi’s did incorporate Teutonic imagery, and idolized their military methods, they cherry-picked the aspects they liked about many different mythical entities. Wewlsburg Castle was possibly used by the Teutonic Knights in the past, but there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that the Nazis were practicing Teutonic Knights, and certainly not here.

And for the record, Eisner was assassinated by notorious fascist, Count Anton Arco-Valley. Not the Vehme.

As for me, I think everyone should have an issue with teaching children that there is an eternal, global conspiracy that is actively plotting against the student personally. For one, speaking from experience, paranoia is extremely damaging to a child’s mind, particularly when it’s packaged this way. Second, if your enemy is the man behind the man behind the man, what hope is there for the future, or of achieving any real change? Going forward, what can the student do to improve society, beyond simply waiting for Jesus to return?

This shit is brainworms.

In conclusion, anyone claiming that the Vehmgerichtes were a primary reason for the rise of Nazism should be viewed with the utmost suspicion. At best, they’re a middle-aged grifter with the mind of a stoned college sophomore. At worst, they’re intentionally distracting you from the observable rhetoric, beliefs, movements, and economic conditions that create fertile ground for fascism to grow. Both options, and everything in between, are entirely unacceptable, especially in the context of a high school education.

Thank you all for reading about this Awful Christian Education!

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:6

1. “What were these notorious traditions of the Fehme? They were founded on the old German law giving all "manorial lords" the right to judge freely over their serfs… The Fehme originated from a pre-Christian, pagan moral conception…”

2. "The tribunals of the Middle Age Fehme operated in Westphalia, but they claimed jurisdictional power over all of Germany. Westphalian "Freigrafs" presided over the meetings of the Fehme. They said that their families had received this privilege from Charlemagne, and that they had to hold sessions exclusively on Westphalian soil.”

3. “The Archbishop of Cologne was head of the Fehme, at least nominally…”

4. "According to ancient law-books of the Fehme, the Freigraf pronounced sentence in the following formula: "The defendant by the name of 'X': I hereby deprive him of peace and of the rights and liberties… and vow his neck to the rope and his corpse to the beasts and the birds of the air—to be eaten by them until nothing remains; and commit his soul to God in Heaven in His authority; and vacate his life and property; and his wife shall be widowed and his children orphans.""

5. "Without further ado he was then hanged from the nearest tree. In order to make clear that this was no ordinary crime but an act of the Fehme, a knife was stuck into the tree.”

6. “It is interesting to note that one of the most influential Nazi newspapers, published in Westphalia, is called Die Rote Erde.”