The context of “higher gods.” in Mein Kampf

The quote originates from the second volume of Mein Kampf, where Hitler predicts a return to worship of “higher gods."

Here’s the entire quote:

"Of course the objection will be made that in general it is difficult to differentiate between the material and ideal values of work and that the lower prestige which is attached to manual labour is due to the fact that smaller wages are paid for that kind of work.

[…]

If that point of view had ruled the world up to now, humanity would never have come into its great scientific and cultural heritage…

[…]

It may be that money has become the one power that governs life to-day, yet a time will come when men will again bow to higher gods." [1]

This is not a prophecy about returning to pagan polytheism. In context, the "higher gods" are a metaphor for idealism and spiritual values, standing in direct opposition to the "god" of money and materialism that Hitler believed had corrupted society.

• So what God was Hitler referring to?

The "higher gods" here likely refer to the "idealism" and "heroic virtues" that Hitler saw as the opposite of "Jewish" materialism. This was his version of a "higher" spiritual calling; the duty to sacrifice for the nation and the race. Hitler frequently framed his mission in Christian terms. [2] For instance, one source in Nilsson's analysis is that Hitler "modeled his political conversion narrative in Mein Kampf on the Apostle Paul's religious conversion in Acts 9". He saw his struggle as a divine mission against the Jews. [3]

Hitler was not a pagan or an occultist. [4] Instead, he drew from a Christian framework, specifically a version of Christianity where Jesus was seen as an Aryan warrior against the Jews. This is a well established fact.

Sources:
[1] Mein Kampf, page 488
[2] Hitler speech in Augsburg, July 6, 1923 (Note: Hitler consistently invoked the concept of "Providence" throughout his speeches. For Hitler, this was not a passive belief but an active, guiding force that had personally chosen him for a divine mission).
[3] Christianity in Hitler’s ideology, page 160
[4] R58/1029, p. 59 (Also Hitler’s dismissive nature on pagan/occult beliefs)