Evening star., 1942-10-10


resistance, which began as a movem
is now showing signs Of developing
in Denmark, however, has more in
common with French anti-collabo-
ration and with church opposition in
Belgium and Holland than it has
with religious resistance in nearby
Norway.
Like the French churches, the
Danish church began its resistance
as soon as the confusion following
the occupation was overcome, and
its opposition was based on the
grounds of Christian ethics-wf1ich
means that it rejected the whole
philosophy OF Nadism. The Nor
wegian Church, on the other hand,
did not begin to resist until after the
Norwegian people were already
aroused. although it later became
one of the leaders of the opposition.
The Nazis know that Denmark's
spiritual leaders have no use for
their system. A Nazi daily, Faedre-
landet, discussing the problem Of
resistance, recently complained:
Church circles are the worst, for
they dismiss Naziisln from Chris
tian and ethical viewpoint. This
undermining work is being done
from many pulpits." Another Nazi
paper, Kritisk Ugerevy, denounced a
number of prominent Danish reli-
gious leaders and accused them Of
~, Il mi, hn 1a 1f thu
pie. The publication went on to say
that "the same thing that has hap
pened to bishops, pastors and teach
ers in Germany and Norway will
take place in Denmark when the
time comes"
Like the French and the Neither
lands churches, the Danish church
has, to large extent, centered its
resistance on the issue OF anti
Semitism. It has been uncompro-
misingly opposed to the introduction
of Nazi anti-Jewish laws into the
kingdom. A quite startling tor an
occupied country attack on anti
Semitism was recently made by
clergyman, Dean Johannes Norden-
toft, in a journal for Danish pastors.
He said: "Christians will be among
the first to fight this dirty anti
Semitism. All upright people, Chris
tians or on-Christians. ought to
take part in this fight. Those who
remain silent or dlsapprove by
struggling their shoulders become
accomplices."
The King and the government
have maintained solidarity with
the church on this issue. To show
his contempt for anti-Semitism the
King recently attended synagogue
service in Copenhagen. to the undis-
guised horror Of the Nazis. At the
same time the government confis-
Gated an entire edition of the notort-
Gus anti-Semitic forgery, the Proto-
coils Of the Elders of Zion. 1t also
deprived Of its license a German
company which had per-
sisted in publishing anti-Jewish
pamphlets.
There are probably fewer pro-Nazi
clergymen in Denmark than In Nor
way, despite the comparatively mild
policy of the Nazis in King Chris
tian's kingdom as contrasted with
the more brutal methods employed
in Norway. Probably less than per
cent Of Denmark's clergy have any
with the Germans. while
the number of pro-Quisling pastors
in Norway is estimated at about
per cent. The few Danish pro-NaZi
churchmen are 50 unpopular that
when they write for NaI controlled
papers they invariably write anony-
Heading the spiritual resistance
throughout the country is promi-
nent churchman. DR.. Hal Koch, pro-
fessor Of Theology at the University
of Copenhagen. DR.. Koch is respon-
sible for the federation Of all youth
groups into huge coalition of Dan
ish young peoples societies, with
about 100000 members. The central
purpose of this federation is to resist
alien ideologies and preserve Danish
freedom and independence. The
youth movement is in the fore
ground of resistance.
Last June an attempt was made
by the Nazis to assassinate Prof.
Koch. A bomb exploded in front OF
his villa in suburb of Copenhagen,
bu the theologian was unharmed.
Norwegian Peace Collapses.
Meanwhile, the Nazis in Norway
were faring no better so far as the
church Is concerned.
Adding to Quisling's woes this
week was the complete collapse of