Religion through Race The religious perceptions of Den Nordiske Motstandsbevegelsen

Abstract

This thesis considers the religious perceptions of a very vocal, self-identified National Socialist group in Norway called “Den Nordiske Motstandsbevegelsen” or “The Nordic Restistance Movement” (DNM). The thesis consists of three main approaches; 1. To contextualize expressions of the group concerning religion and religiosity to National Socialism of the 1920s and 30s as found in the parties of NSDAP (Germany) and NS (Norway) as well as the political group Ragnarok (Norway). 2. To uncover religious ideas and cosmology of the group as found in the textual sources on their webpage. 3. To discuss the groups understanding of the traditional religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam as well as more loose-fitting religious concepts, popularly referred to as “New Age” My findings indicate that the complex relations between National Socialism and religious thought as were present in the 20s and 30s are still relevant to current groups like DNM. The group is not opposed to religion and does acknowledge the spiritual need of human beings, but places the core features of National Socialism above religious sentiment. These core features include biological-racial ideas as well as a fundamental anti-Semitism. A religion can hence only be accepted if perceived as compatible with National Socialism, leaving religious freedom intact yet within the frames of the ideology. The main difference between National Socialism then and now is the relative decline of importance, where DNM rarely explicitly discuss religion and only occasionally refer to religious issues or the place and space of religion within National Socialism. Because race rather than religion is regarded as the defining characteristic of an individual, DNM do not partake much in oppositional stances against Christianity or Islam and neither seem to have any particular preference for Neo-Paganism as was quite prominent within certain fractions in the 20s and 30s. The assessment of Judaism is however digressing from the clear-cut separation of race and religion, where no great difference is made between the two elements.The relative peripheral role of religion is also present in the apparent distance of DNM to occultism and “New Age” which have influenced the general Nazi scene to some extent in recent decades. Nevertheless, there are elements which can be given clear religious meaning and perceptions within the cosmology of DNM closely related to the almost sacral apprehension of NSDAP; the role of Hitler, eternal life within the racial memory, struggle as the ultimate meaning of existence and the martyrium surrounding these sacrifices. As such the manifestation of religion is present, but mainly through the context of race