Stroud's Steiner controversy

It is rarely wise to make comparisons with the Nazis and I would not have done so had a previous correspondent not raised the issue in attempting to refute allegations of racism in the teachings of Rudolf Steiner.

In response, Richard House accuses me of lacking factual accuracy but fails to address any of the facts I raise - ie that Steiner schools were not immediately closed down by Hitler and that much of the anthroposophical movement sought accommodation with the Nazis.

It is true that, despite some members being supporters, the National Socialist party was critical of anthroposophy, but that says nothing about the nature of Steiner’s racial views.

Dr House trots out the myth of the assassination attempt on Steiner despite eyewitness accounts recording merely a rowdy meeting in which the lights were briefly turned off while Steiner continued to speak.

(As reported by Elisabeth Klein who was on stage with Steiner and subsequently in the anthroposophist newspaper Dreigliederung des sozialen Organismus of May 25, 1922).

I have read Dr House’s article which far from being detailed merely refers to a report from the Dutch anthroposophical society which makes the incredible claim that Steiner’s writing contains no racial theory.

You can also read this article together with a rebuttal by Peter Staudenmaier at http://bit.ly/1GOr10F Staudenmaier has written extensively on the history of the Steiner movement and has also reviewed Robert Rose’s book which he described as “extraordinarily confused”, “nonsense” and “quite preposterous”.

But enough history.

What really matters is what is being taught to children in Waldorf schools and other Steiner institutions.

If supporters cannot be honest about the founders beliefs what hope is there of reform?

Jim Watson

Selsley