CHRISTIANITY AND MARXISM.

Evening Star, Issue 22452, 24 September 1936, Page 15

CHRISTIANITY AND MARXISM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It is indeed difficult to comprehend what prompts such bewildered correspondents as “ A.B.C. ” and “ X.Y.Z. ” (in the last two issues of your paper) to exhibit themselves in print, for each portrays the most lamentable ignorance of the subject he has undertaken to castigate. Both these correspondents speak much the same language, and must surely have been hibernating together. Much of “ X.Y.Z.’s ” letter is really not worthy of response, as it is obvious that ho is confusing Communieln with the Klu Klux Klan‘ or some such “ society founded to contuse the works of Almighty God.” However, when he recommends other correspondents, with ah air of patronising beneficence, to read a particular book, “ close it, and contemplate,” I am constrained to suggest that both “ X.Y.Z.” and his friend “ A.8.C.” might well improve their time by doing likewise. There is a splendid little book in the Public Library called ‘ Marxism,’ by MiddletonMurray, John Mac Murray, and G. D. H. Cole, containing the following, written by the first author, which, I feel, may be of value to these correspondents : “ For my own part, if I were a Christian, I should take very good care to be a Marxist as well. If I believed that Jesus of Nazareth was to judge me on my earthly record, I should be mortally afraid of his asking me ‘ Why was I not a Marxist? ’ For I do not see what reply I could give that would not he completely damning to myself. Unless, of course, I had the conscience and the courage to reply that J was a Christian. Since I cannot easily imagine one who would have the courage to make that reply to his Master, and since that seems to me the only possible reply in the situation that would not' leave one self-convicted of unworthiness, I should take care to be able to answer that I was a Marxist. For, assuredly, it is the next best tiling. “ I think it is more than this. I think that acceptance of Marxism, as far as it goes, is the acid test of Christianity that is not humbug in the world to-day. And the only point on which I can imagine the sincere Christian and sincere Marxist at issue is on the question of violence. I do admit that for the sincere Christian non-violence may he an absolute, ns it cannot be for the man who is Marxist and nothing more. I?ut there is so much to bo done before that question becomes actual that it really cannot divide them now. And [ am convinced that there is nothing else in the whole doctrine of Marxism that the sincere Christian cannot wholeheartedly accept, and is not, to tho extent of fho sincerity of his Christianity, prepared for. The fight of Christianity against Marxism is. alas, not the struggle of one religion against _ another, but the struggle of unconsciousness against consciousness, of inertia wminstT activity, of privilege against equality. Anti-Marxism turns out, inevitably, to he anti-Christian. And I would ask those who doubt it to ask themselves whether the true spiritual condition of Christianity is not in-

finitely better in Soviet Russia to-Jay than 'it is in Nazi Germany.” When your correspondents have read this book, then perhaps wo may be able to advise them a little further. 1 am. etc., L; Envoi! c. September ‘23. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The saddest defence of our present system is that God made it so. God did not make man rich and poor, high and low. If we had remained as God ordained all would have had a share in the earth’s goods and opportunity. Greed, not God, evolved our present system, and to hold up this deformity and say it is of God is like adulterating good food and selling it for the real article. It is taking the name ot God in vain, which we are expressly forbidden to do. When the command, “Thou shalt not covet was given, the Israelites were beginning a new life with every man his share. The command was not obeyed, hence the present state of the world. To want what is rightly one’s own is not to covet. Also, to seek the B°°°* things the earth provides is not selfishness, but to seek them at the expense of others is, and that is nhat Capitalism encourages and Christ and Communism denounce. Though no Government can make a man good to order wc all know that a plant grows best when the weeds are kept down, and Christianity and Communism both aim at keeping down the weeds of greed and selfishness and _ inspiring growth by love and hope. It is a common argument that if all men were to start equal in tho race of life some would soon be away ahead. But what is the race of life? Not for bread, for that is our birthright. If for honour, then let it be paid in honour, and let the next generation begin at the beginning again,'not -where their fathers left off. as in a relay race, for only in that way can all have opportunity He have surely lived long enough and learnt enough* from the centuries to know that the good of each is the good of all.—l am, etc., Presbyterian. September 24.

TO THB EDITOR. gi r I have read with considerable interest the correspondence on Hie subject ‘ls Communism Christian. Comparing the letters one is immediately struck by the paucity of sound reasoning and general Jack of knowledge displayed by the opponents ot Communism. Nowhere is this more apparent than where they obvlousy confuse Communism with Bolshevism. Particularly amusing, 1 thought, was the letter of “ X.Y.Z.” fhe would consult his Bible he would find but little support for his views, and, attei all, the Bible is the Authority. 1 hear many discussions on these things, and one cannot help noticing the number ot people who admit that “ Communism may be all right, but why must it be brought about by violent means. This is the point at which many worthy people stick, and rightly so. And yet these same people will quite readily admit that real Communism brought about by Christians is a splendid ideal. I think that Mr Herring, who has written some consistently splendid letters on this subject, puts the matter very accurately in describing real Communism as “ applied Christianity. Christian Communism, 1 maintain, is the one thing that can make New Zealand or any other place “ God’s own country.” I have been reading these matters a long time and have studied many points of view, but have yet to find an advocate of “ Christian Capitalism.” Can this be significant.' In matters of this kind I have been taught to look to my church for guidance, yet I have searched your columns iu vain lor an expression ot opinion by the clergy. Wby ? Can they not face the question? i hear that a few of them have faced the question, but must be discreet, I have sent my young family to church and Sunday school for a considerable time. I and my wife also attend church, but when 1 think these things over I sometimes wonder if 1 have the right to contribute to the support of these robot leaders any longer while so much else needs doing. I wonder how many people realise that the best safeguard against Bolshevism is Christian Communism. Just imagine! If our Labour Government goes out, as the Jim gusli Labour Government did, a Government much the same as the last one would almost certainly take its place. We would bo told to tighten our belts again: there would be cuts, retrenchment, all sorts of hardship. This is the point where Bolshevism becomes a real danger. Christian Communism will not leave room for that. It a Christian Communist movement were started here I believe it wou.d find wonderful support. Where would our clergy stand regarding that? There is another splendid body ot people in this city who call themselves “ Groupers.” I invite them to reflect on this subject, and compare the principles of Christian Communism with their own. If then; ideals were realised the result would, I believe, bo practically Christian Communism. What have they to say?—l am, etc., Spear Head. September 24. TO TUS IDITOK. Sir —lb has been asked why I as a Christian Communist should support the Communist Party which is anti-Chris-tian. First, allow me to state that i have not written in support of a party, but in support of Christian principles. Second, it has yet to be proved that the Communist Party is anti : Chnstian. I am utterly opposed to anti-Christian elements wherever they are found. J am forced to the conclusion that any anti-Christian element there may be m Communism is comparatively small to what is found in the system under winch the workers exist even to-day. ineie is also the anti-Christian element in the Christian Church, which holds her back from more glorious achievement lor the uplifting of humanity. Whatever ma> be the faults of the human beings who preach it, the Gospel of Christy is magnificent in its simplicity, purity and power. Modern men, like men of old. must all confess that they find no fault with this Man Christ. The, fault is with the anti-Christ element, which !• nitrates even to the House of God and all too often keeps God’s messengers silent when they should condemn glaring evil. For year's thousands of workers have been robbed of a just living, women and children have died from under-nourish-ment, life has boon made a burden whereas it should ho a joyous privilege, and all the time greedy and selfish folic have not only sat ou what they had, but made more, just to accumulate. Alas! that professing Christians should discredit their Lord by total indifference to their brothers’ need, or by the giving of tile crumbs of charity. 1 have been told that Communism has arisen to fight against the kingdom of God. What utter nonsense, what blasphemy, to associate God with selfishness and greed, starvation and misery. it is these Communism fights, and behind it is all the weight of Christ's teaching, and therefore upon its banners should be “Christian Communism.” —1 am, etc., G. A. II Kll It INC , September 21.