The Grey Book: A collection of protests against anti-semitism and the persecution of Jews issued by non-Roman Catholic churches and church leaders during Hitlers ruleSnoek, Johan M.
Religion
The Grey Book: A collection of protests against anti-semitism and the persecution of Jews issued by non-Roman Catholic churches and church leaders during Hitlers rule
Snoek, Johan M.
Antisemitism; Christianity and other religions -- Judaism; Judaism -- Relations -- Christianity; Protestant churches -- Europe
considers Him more important than all calculations of worldly wisdom, which
only lead us astray." [476]
In the months October and November, 1942, a general collection for the Aid
to Refugees was held. Because of political considerations on the part of
the authorities concerned, the planned 5-minute broadcasts could not take
place. Nevertheless, the General Management of the broadcasting services
agreed to broadcast short appeals under the slogan "Contribute towards an
Asylum for the Homeless". [477] The "Swiss Central Office for Aid to Refugees"
stated:
"If, however, the result of the fundraising is disappointing, all is lost. Not
only will the organizations have no more money, but our opponents who even now
are urging the complete closing of our borders, will then say to the Federal
Government: 'Close the doors, let nobody in. The Swiss people do not want
them...'" [478]
Many Church leaders publicly recommended this collection. Prof. Karl Bart did
so in the following words:
<216>
"There are reasons for and against aid to refugees as currently suggested to
us Swiss. The reasons for are:
The Christian reason. 'In as much as ye have done it unto one of these least,
ye have done it unto me.' The refugees are our concern: not because they are
valuable or agreeable human beings, but because in all the world they are
to-day the lowest and the most miserable people, and as such they, with their
inseparable companion the Saviour, knock on our door. They are our concern,
not in spite of their being Jews but just because they are Jews, and as such
are the Saviour's brethren in the flesh. (I suggest that this first reason is
the strongest and may well be the one decisive and effective reason in this
matter).
The Swiss reason. The refugees (whether they are aware of it or not) do us a
great honour, in looking upon our country and seeking it out as the last refuge
of justice and mercy. Many of the great and dreadful things which occurred in
our time will be forgotten. After centuries, however, it will still be asked,
whether Switzerland proved true to its name as the free Switzerland in these
days, or renounced it. The question whether the Lest that we Swiss are capable
of and have, can be preserved throughout the present crisis, will be decided
only by opening our hearts and hands to these refugees, or by turning our
backs upon them.
The Humane reason. We see in these refugees the fate we have miraculously
been spared. It is quite true that we also are not too well off to-day. It is,
however, equally true that we are well enough off to be in a condition exactly
opposite to these unfortunate fellow-creatures: well-fed and even rich. Can
we bear this, without wanting to help them to the best of our ability?
Would it not be disgraceful, even to let our lips suggest any reasons at all
against offering such aid?" [479]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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