GERMAN CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1937, Page 19

GERMAN CHURCH

CHALLENGE TO HITLER

Nazi attempts to place, a new interpretation' on Christianity in accordance with the doctrine of "blood and race" are denounced in an outspoken statement :issued by the Council of Brethren of the Confessional Church in Saxony; (says the "Daily Telegraph"). The. Confessional Church opposes the pro-Nazi "German Christian" faction of the Evangelical Church. .-. r The statement is one of the many declarations distributed by both sides taking . part in the (Campaign for. . the Synod elections ordered by.Herr Hitler. It asks: . •.'■'.

"What shall be proclaimed in your churches, the eternal truth of God's word or the ambiguous teaching of those who* falsify Holy Writ? . ' \ "Who shall have the . leadership in your churches? .'Those who serve you i.r love and truth, or those who desire to dominate the Church with violence and fraud? :'.;. ■'■'■'■' \ ' : ~

"What shall your children hear in religious instruction?; God's holy will and the message of ■ Jesus Christ, or legends and fairy tales?". , The manifesto continues: "Do not let yourselves' be' deceived. You will be told that your choice lies between two alternatives —a Jewish Church or a Christian Church. In reality the issue is whether Jesus Christ is the sole Lord of the Church. "Do not listen to those who call the Apostle Paul a deceitful rabbi, They will end by making simila- attacks on Jesus Christ.

"You are threatened by a falsified version of Christianity, mingling politics with Christ's message, and with a Church in which the voice of Christ is condemned to silence and- where thbs'rj Who confess' their faith' in . Him wiJl; be persecuted. "If you- do not wish for such a state of affairs how is the time to make up. your mind once and for all. The hour has come in which you must testify." '■ Despite Herr Hitler's guarantee of free elections, the Confessional Church !s meeting with much obstruction in its propaganda campaign. The "German1 Christians" are openly favoured by the authorities.