"IS COMMUNISM CHRISTIAN."

Evening Star, Issue 22443, 14 September 1936, Page 11

"IS COMMUNISM CHRISTIAN."

TO TOE EDITOR. Sir, —It is encouraging to note that at least a few Christian preachers are attracted to Communism as offering a solution of modern problems. It is quite a mistake to think that Communists are immoral and irreligious, or that certain bands of murdering rioters are Communists. Communism, being idealistic in its basic principles, cannot possibly oppose anything good or condone anything evil. It can best bo described as “ Christianity in practice,” or “ applied Christianity.” To think of it, therefore, as an anti-God theory is utter nonsense. Anti-God Communism, if such exists, is a mongrel type of what is in reality a sublime teaching. To be a Communist implies consecration to a cause second to none in nobility. It is a lie to say robbery and murder are advocated, for it is just the reverse, brotherhood being the basic principle, and efficiency its keyword. No shirker or parasite can live in its atmosphere. Under our present system everything must show a profit. Politics, religion, industry, and even charity and sport are exploited by those whose creed is “ what can I get ? ” There are, of course, many with the nobler outlook of “ what can I give.” _ The latter live for the community—in other words, they are Communists. Their presence sweetens the moral tone of our community ; would to God there were more. I am told I cannot be a Christian and be a Communist, and I reply that I cannot be a Christian unless I am a Communist. It seems most strange to say wo love our brotbor and at the same time remain totally indifferent as to whether he is fed or hungry, warm or cold, etc., etc. To any fellow-Christians who desire anq pray for a revival of Christian vitality I would say, let us practise our belief. Christianity is talked about, is admired, is advocated and recommended, but rarely practised. Apply it, and the whole system will change and men will change under new atmosp'Hire and environment as they did at Ponticost, the birth-place of Christian Communism, where men ceased to live for self and lived for each other. —I am, etc., September 14. G. A. Herring.