This is a study of the idealistic, personal and institutional connections between the various forms of the phenomenon called the ´religion of purity´. The underlying world view of this ´religion´ is rightist and identical with complexes which are considered to be ´secret knowledge´ in esoteric circles. The study´s target is not Puritanism, or Protestant groups as such, but ´bricolage´, lay constructions using elements of gnosticism, magic, racism (´pure´ races), occultism, Rosicrucianism and many other influences as a basis out of which ´secular´ religions such as National Socialism are formed. The latter is the main object of Rätz´s study to exemplify such a ´religion of purity´. The quest for purity easily leads to totalitarianism of various kinds. Rätz discusses the history of ideas from Rosicrucianism to the ´righteous bourgeoisie´, chiliasm and the Third Reich, the cult of beauty and health (J.G. Zimmermann, C.G. Carus, W. Hufeland, Fichte, M. Stirner, and many others), R. Wagner, theosophy, various reform movements, ´völkische´ sectarians, ´völkische´ religion. The last chapter draws socio-psychological conclusions and discusses epistemological (mystical) elitism: the method of exerting influence of ´those who know´. Numerous quotations from many quarters provide a sizable collection of statements on the subject of purity seen in this way.

Anthropological Abstracts, Number www-5 – 2005, Cultural/Social Anthropology from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Ulrich Oberdiek, Editor/Author