WIRELESS AND THE CHURCH

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21417, 8 March 1935, Page 10

WIRELESS AND THE CHURCH

POSSIBILITY OF STATE CONTROL The possibility that through its control of broadcasting the State might eventually control the expression of religion was the subject of comment by Mr H. Sturge, the chairman, at last evening's session of the annual Assembly of the Congregational Union in New Zealand. Mr Sturge said that many people held that the advance of broadcasting would finally do away with church-going, and that the microphone would replace the pulpit. I 1 that ever did occur it would mean that the State would control religion, or at least the expression o. religion, said Mr Sturge. "And 11 * that does happen." lie said., nia. God help us!" A Although the view he had state" had a fairlv wide acceptance, » l Mr Sturge. he himself did not tie lieve it. There would, he hoped, a' wavs be that impulse for people uassemble so that in unison tne might assist each other in the a' tainment of spiritual welfare. , was only by the assembling ° people in the churches that l Church could grow, and failure o the people to assemble could ie<» only to spiritual atrophy, decay a>death.