METHODISM AND WAR

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 12

METHODISM AND WAR

SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS CARRIED KEEN DEBATE AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAII.) DUNEDIN, February 28. The attitude of the Methodist Church towards war was keenly debated at the annual conference today. The discussion was a long one, and two extensions of time had to be granted. A number of resolutions was before the conference, and many speakers, representing two fairly distinct attitudes of mind, were heard. After a good deal of discussion the conference adopted the following declarations submitted for consideration by the Auckland Synod:— 1. War is contrary to the spirit and purposes of Jesus Christ, as revealed in His teaching of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, which is the divine ideal for human society, and God's Kingdom can only be realised in the world embracing the brotherhood of mankind based on righteousness, love, and peace. 2. The Christian Church accepts as an integral part of her redemptive mission the duty to promote peace and prevent war. 3. We rejoice that the best elements in the nations are moving towards the acceptance of this ideal. 4. We believe that war is a crime against humanity, and must be utterly repudiated as a method of settling international disputes, and we pledge our support of every endeavour to make these pacts and pledges effectiva 5. We declare our resolve to refuse to support any Government which refuses to submit the cause of a dispute with another government to the appropriate international tribunal for a peaceful settlement.

6. To this end we urge as a necessity that every individual in our church should consider his or her attitude to this all-important question of peace, especially as there is still a possibility of war. Should this come, we realise the grave de cision that will be demanded of us. 7. Meanwhile, we press for worldwide reduction of armaments limitation and control of their manufacture and sale. 8. Finally, we declare that we will

readilv co-operate with other Christian communions in the pursu" 01 those necessities, believing that « less the spirit of war is removea that spirit will kill any civilisat cmWe recommend that communua tions be opened up with o~ichurches in order to secure torn mon action.