CHRISTIANITY IN BURMA

Press, Volume C, Issue 29510, 11 May 1961, Page 12

CHRISTIANITY IN BURMA

Views Of Baptist Layman

If the intention of the Burmese Government to make Buddhism the state religion became law, the Christian churches in Burma would continue to receive certain aid from the Government, said Mr U Kyaw Than, a Baptist layman and associate general secretary of the East Asia Christian Conference, in Christchurch. Travelling expenses, even including air fares incurred by Christian pastors on their way to conferences called by their respective churches, would be paid by the Government headed by the Buddhist Premier, U Nu, he said.

Of much greater significance, however, was the dei veloping relationship between leaders of the Buddhist and Christian faiths in Burma, said Kyaw Than. There, orthodox Buddhism was striving to gain ground among the people and manners and benefits of Western civilisation were mingled with a will to preserve the values of Burma’s ancient culture. ~

He also mentioned the grooving interest among Christians in South-east Asia in the aims and work of the East Asia Christian Conference, an organ of cooperation among the churches and Christian councils in the area bounded by West Pakistan. Japan and New Zealand.

At present on a short visit to New Zealand for staff meetings with the Rev. A. A. Brash, secretary for interchurch aid to the East Asia Christian Conference, Kyaw Than will speak at the Theological Students' Conference at present in session. He will also speak at a rally of 4000 Maori members of the Church of England, in Gisborne.