CHURCH AND WAR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19177, 7 December 1927, Page 17

CHURCH AND WAR.

* ATTITUDE OF METHODISTS

The North Canterbury DistrictMethodist Synod recently referred to a representative committee certain proposals relating to the Church's attitude towards war, with a request that the committee's findings should be reported to the Synod. The following is the finding ot the committee, the" Methodist Conference being recommended to adopt the resolutions as a declaration ot the Methodist attitude towards war:— 1. That, as the Methodist Church believes in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men, as taught by Jesus Christ, this conference affirms its conviction that war is a violation of His Spirit and principles, and should not be countenanced by the Christian Church. 2. This conference declares that, in its judgment, preparation for war does not prevent war, but frequently is a direct incentive to war; and the aim of the Church, and especially of its ministers, should be to promote the spirit of peace and goodwill, and the education of the people in the principles of international justice as the true basis of peace, so that war shall become morally impossible, and disarmament and arbitration be regarded as the normal policy of the nations 3. This conference further declares its conviction that compulsory military training is contrary to the principles of the Covenant of'the League of Nations, and therefore should not be continued in New Zealand, which is a partv to the Covenant, and that until such' training is abolished adequate protection be afforded to all bona fide conscientious objectors. 4. This conference directs the Public Morals Committee to co-operate with the Churches' United Peace Committee and the League of Nations Union in their efforts to promote friendship and good understanding amonc the nations and the general acceptance <?f the principle of settling all international disputes by arbitration