THE OXFORD UNION

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 9

THE OXFORD UNION

Students Spring Surprise On Debated Motion

RETURN TO RELIGION (“Dominion” Special Service By Airmail.) LONDON, February 22. The Oxford Union, the university debating society that is the cradle of many of Britain’s statesmen, has surprised Oxford with another debate which reveals. a complete change of university opinion. Formerly attracting public attention by its resolution that “This house will not fight for King and country,” the union has now passed by 256 votes to 90 a motion that “A return to religion is the only solution to our present discontents.”

A student of Balliol College, Mr. Head, who proposed the motion, said that all our problems could be traced back to selfishness. Selfishness was inherent in human nature, and human nature must be changed if our civilization was to be saved. “But,” he continued, “you cannot change human nature without the aid of religion.” Man-made remedies dealt with the symptoms. A man-made remedy based on a policy of self-enlighten-ment might last for a generation or two, but the time Inevitably came when that policy became all self-interest and no enlightenment. Only a change in human nature could break the historic cycle. Other civilizations had crashed because of the increase of luxury and decline in morals. Britain was in this position today. The house must not think that a return to religion would be an easy and cheap way of getting back their luxury; rather it would involve a change in the aims, ideals and direction of each individual’s life.

Concluding his speech, Mr. Head said: “I beseech this house to act before it is too late.” Both the secretary and the treasurer of the union spoke later on behalf of the motion.