In 1933, prior to the annexation of Austria into Germany, the Christian population of Germany was around 67% Protestant and 33% Catholic.[1] A German census in May 1939, completed more than six years into the Nazi era[2] and incorporating the annexation of mostly Catholic Austria into Germany, indicates that 54% of Germans considered themselves Protestant, (including non-denominational Christians) and 40% considered themselves Catholic, with only 3.5% claiming to be neo-pagan "believers in God," and 1.5% atheists. Most of this latter 5% were committed Nazis, who left the churches in response and encouragement of the Nazi Party desiring to reduce the influence of Christianity in Germany. Most members of the Nazi Party, however, were Christians, composed of some Lutheran Evangelical, the apostate members of Nazi inspired Positive Christianity and some of the Catholic faith traditions respectively. It must be noted by mid-1933 it was mandated no one could be employed in the Trade Unions, or in government from clerk to high office, without being a member of the Nazi Party.
