During the period in which "Deutsche Physik" was gaining prominence, a foremost concern of the great majority of scientists was to maintain autonomy against political encroachment. Some of the more established scientists, such as Max von Laue, could demonstrate more autonomy than the younger and less established scientists. This was, in part, due to political organizations, such as the "Nationalsozialistischer Deutscher Dozentenbund" (National Socialist German University Lecturers League), whose district leaders had a decisive role in the acceptance of an "Habilitationsschrift", which was a prerequisite to attaining the rank of "Privatdozent" necessary to becoming a university lecturer. While some with ability joined such organizations out of tactical career considerations, others with ability and adherence to historical academic standards joined these organizations to moderate their activities. This was the case of Finkelnburg. In mid-1940 Finkelnburg became an acting director of the NSDDB at "Technische Hochschule", Darmstadt. As such, he organized the "Münchner Religionsgespräche", which took place on 15 November 1940 and was known as the "Munich Synod ". The "Münchner Religionsgespräche" was an offensive against "deutsche Physik". While the technical outcome may have been thin, it was a political victory against "deutsche Physik". Also, in part, it was Finkelnburg's role in organising this event that influenced Carl Ramsauer, as president of the "Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft", to select Finkelnburg in 1941 as his deputy. Finkelnburg served in this capacity until the end of World War II.