Presbyterian Church And Communism

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1948, Page 5

Presbyterian Church And Communism

Press Assodation)

(Per

WELLIXGTOX, Xov. 5. The attitude of the church to communism, was detined in a statement contained in a report presented to the (leneral Assembly of the Presbyterian Chuivh tonight. ' ' The word communism has become a red rag to .Tolm Bull," said the Rcv. J. 8. Somerville, "and we have therefore tried to define the term as well as defuie Ihe church 's attitude. "The theorv often called Communist ideologv, is plainlv in conflict with Christian teaching/' the statement read. ' ' It denies the very existbnee of ( tod, it repinliates all absolute standards of ethies and morality, it repudiates the very idea of justice and acfopts a view of man- whieh is in conflict with the'Fhristian view of man as ereated by God fallen through sin and rcdeemed in ChristT' ' The staten'ient continued that. while Ihe th'eory of communism mus,t be opposed to Christianity, there were points in the practice of communism whieh w-ere in line with Christian principles.. The keen desire to secure justice for those wThom they considered were being denied it and the stand taken against racial discrimination, wero instanced as points where the Communists' actions eould be condoned. A lengtliy and vigorous debate folloived a motion that the Assembly adopt the statement and with the movers ' consent, Ihe' statement was referred to the presbyteries for further dlscussion, to be referred back to the public questions •committee before the next Assembly. |