The organization, whose full name is Artgemeinschaft – Germanische Glaubens-Gemeinschaft wesensgemässer Lebensgestaltung, has 150 members. According to the ministry, the organization contravenes the constitution, mainly because its members are anti-Semitism. Four affiliated organizations were also banned.
“This is another heavy blow to right-wing extremism and arsonists who continue to spread National Socialist ideologies to this day,” Minister Nancy Visser said. It describes the Artgemeinschaft as a “sectarian, racist and anti-Semitic association.”
Artgemeinschaft presents itself externally as a religious organization with Germanic influences. The organization was founded in 1951 by former SS man Wilhelm Kosyrov.
The ministry describes the organization as “quasi-religious” and says the organization was primarily focused on preserving its own “species” (art In Germany). According to the ministry, this is similar to the Nazis’ ideas about race.
For example, advice was given on mate selection to preserve the ‘correct’ genetic material for one’s ‘type’. The government also sees references to Nazi Germany in the organization’s symbols and customs.