Thoughtful Moments.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 76, Issue 7, 26 May 1944, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments.

(Supplied by the Whakatnnf- Mitii't s* Association)

CHRISTIANITY Si v,—l have read the article "Christian Marriage" in the Sunday message column of April 21. I can agree with many of the sentiments expressed and give the writer credit, lor a good line of thought. Not forgetting of course that some of the opinions expressed are ideas rather than facts. I. notice that all through the article we are reminded that these ideals are "Christian Ideals" and must always he captioned 'Christian.' We are given the definite, impress sion that Christianity has a rightful claim to place its name at the head of all things good. I: would suggest that before any society, religious or otherwise has the right to claim precedence, it is its first essential to prove its claim to do so. Now to do this it is always necessary to go back somewhat and examine the evidence available. Tn this case there is an abundant, supply. But I am doubtful whether that abundant supply will give a verdict in favour of Christianity's claim. • Let us take a little evidence. The Statute of Heretics—l4oo. Whereby power was given to the bishops to arrest and imprison at their mere will and pleasure, all heretics. If they failed to renounce 1 their heretical beliefs they could be handed over to the civil officers and burnt at the stake. I give a few names of persons so treated. William Sawtse 1400. Convicted before his bishop to penance, cited before the Archbishop of Canterbury and convicted. Burned on March 2 eight days before the order giving the clergy power to inflict this punishment was passed. John Lambert 1538. Tried before Henry VHI in person and was burned the day after his trial. Peculiar that Henry VIII called a Christian King, should have bestowed upon him by the church, 'defender of the faith.' I may also state that people were sent to prison for staying away from church, without satisfactory excuse, as late as 1842. John Badley 1410. A tailor of Worcester. Burned for his heretical beliefs. Taken from the flames and offered his life and a pension. He refused to weaken and was thrust back into the flames. The first crusade fully supported by the church in 1096 carried out some of the worst crimes in history in their movement across Europe. For proof of these statements, look at the history of Christianity. Now then, we would think, did we not question these claims, that Christianity was the peak of perfection, tht; Alpha and Omega. But alas! one little peep, one little application of reason and the basis begins to crack. Cnristianily stirs itself for a fresh foothold. Yours etc., J. DITCHFIELD. (We have submitted the. above to members of the Whakatane Ministers Association and have received back the following comment. Ed)

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

In Ditchfiekl's letter t'h pavaging Christ anity I wou'd like to make one or two points. He condemns Christianity because of evil deeds done by the Church in the name of her Lord. The church is a divine in^tltucion—with Cirri t at its Head —but it is made up of men and women who are not yet saints but only in the process of being made such (not by themselves but by Christ) . The conversion of a man doe.* not make him like his. Master —that is the end of the road. Because of that members of the Church do in the Name of Christ many things which are utterly opposed to the Spirit of Christ and which certainly do not arise from Christ in them. But it is entirely true that "Christianity" places. it.-> name at the head of all things good? Believing that God through all ages "left not Himself without witness" do Christians want to claim that He does not act through channels other lhan that of mans' recognition of His incarnation in Jesus Christ? And much is done by "humanism" unaware of the source of its inspiration. None will dispute tlie evidence cited by your correspondent to which an immense amount could be addeo in the same strain. It is irrelevant however because a doctrine must bo judged by its essential content aided by the results of a sincere application of it—rather than by the mess sinful or unenlightened men can make of things in the name of it. Surely it is a fact too .\vell known to be worth your correspondent using it as a text that man in the name of Christ have tortured and bruised men's bodies ostensibly in order to save their .souls;—the result of, unenlightened. fanatical, misused consciences often furtner warped by self-interest; —and so have worked havoc and served hell almost as devastatingly as did the pagan world around them. It does also however lie in history that where men's unwarped consciences have led them to high endeavours for the greater good of mankind as a whole, and for the individual, these activities have been —in past centuries —based on their Christian faith. I think history will verify that outside of Christianity previous to our own times such efforts for universal betterment of men as the abolition of slavery —care for sick—provision of hospitals—care for prisoners—free, education (in the last century before there was State education the Church of England raised £15000,000 for child education) and many other such have had no origin except possibly sporadically under a few enlightened rulers and leaders in different ages. W T e believe that Christianity as based in Christ remains the highest revelation of what God is, the deepest inspiration for man's highest ideals and his greatest source of power; a Rock upon which an infinitude of "little peeps" and "applications of reason" (so-called) can leave no mark at all!. Yours etc., JOHN C. J. WILSON.