Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1936. HITLER AND RELIGION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 200, 24 July 1936, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1936. HITLER AND RELIGION.

Hitler made the mistake of his political career when he attacked the German Evangelical Church. If there is one tiling that mankind in general abhors and ever shows a readiness to resist, it is an attack on religion. Even in the wilds of Africa one must be careful not to ofiend, by in any way interfering even with pagan religious rights. In Palestine, Jews and Maliommedans have not infrequently- conle to blows for offences, real or imaginary, against the religious scruples of one or the other. In India, the Hindu, the Mahommedan and the Sikh seem to clash on religious grounds almost every week. Tliere is a reality about a man’s religion, that in its defence he will even risk his life. And it scarcely matters what the religion or creed may be, it is his own, and therefore should be respected. The German Evangelical Church has addressed a scathing document to the German Government, and as the latter is comprised of Hitler’s supporters, the document may be said to be addressed to Hitler himself. In his mania for alleged reforms, he endeavoured to abolish religious organisations in Germany-, or to have the churches uuder control, so that they might serve the purpose of the dictator, instead of the Great Creator. The memorandum is very plain spoken. ‘‘Honour is being accorded Herr Hitler which is due only to God. His judgment is used as the basis of all decisions, political, moral and legal, and he himself is haloed with the religious authority of a national priest and even made an intermediary between God and the nation.” This is a strong indictment, plain in its diction and could onlyhave emanated from the courage associated with religion. Perhaps, if the truth were known, Hitler is not so much to blame as the sycophants and parasites who surround him and glorify him on every possible occasion. Mussolini was clever enough not to clash with the religion of the people. On the contrary it was he who restored the temporal power of His Holiness the Pope, and all through he has behaved like a good Roman Catholic, and that is all to his credit. Hitler, on the other hand, attempted persecution of pastors and bishops. Some were thrown into gaol, and now the downtrodden have risen in defence of their religious beliefs and the sanctity of the Church. What can Hitler do? If he attempts further high-handed action he may bring about a situation bordering on civil war, for the very strongtones of the memorandum indicate that the Church will defend itself. If he yields there will be a smirch on his escutcheon, his “inana” will have diminished.

and other dissenting factions in Germany will be encouraged to flout the Fuhrer. The sensation created by the memorandum -is certain to have far-reaching effects in Germany, and at all events Hitler will now be obliged to concentrate his attention on domestic affairs rather than on foreign. Freedom to worship the Almighty is the right of the people, and it is a rig-lit that they will guard with their very lives. Religion is stronger than politics as Hitler has possibly realised by this.