THE CHURCHES, RELIGION AND SOCIALISM.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 66, 14 June 1912, Page 4

THE CHURCHES, RELIGION AND SOCIALISM.

I have Teceivcd a very nice letter from 9.T.. saying he is a regular reader of Ttte Wobkeu, but asking, as the question of a man's belief has nothing to do with the question of public ownership for tho public good, why should wo not leave religion and the churches alone in this paper. My dear S.T., we would do so gladly if wo could, but it is impossible. An Archbishop publishes a foolish travesty of Socialism, with the open and avowed object of injuring Socialism. Hia church has time and again set men apart to go

forth to fiejit against Sficiulism. Father Vaughan has just been preaching a nerios of sermons against us- The official organ appeals to the members of its church to boycott Tiik Workf.k because The Woiikku defends Socialism. The Worker is "a Journal of Industrial Unionism. Socialism and Politics," yet forsooth, when Socialism is attacked, its own paper is not to be used in defence, and this, too, at the dictation of those who never cease to attack Socialism 1 The truth is. Samuel, that, having no arguments against Socialism, they indulge, in foolish travesties, and when these are exposed they grow angry, and as a last resort shout, "Don't go to the Socialist meetings; don't listen to the Socialist speeches," and now they are trying to prevent their followers from reading the Socialist writings. Tho fact of tho matter is, they are not really-sure, of their own position. If they were, they would know that nothing could prevail against them. They are afraid of Socialism and are afraid their followers may inquire into the truth. 'Tis not our fault, Samuel. The Romish Church and most of the other churches would like to kill Socialism, but as this ia impossible, they misrepresent it, and then beg their followers not to listen to the other side. Socialists say, "Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good." Two thousand years of the churches has left the worker almost naked and defenceless; twenty years of Socialism would abolish poverty forever and make possible the application of those ethical principles for which the churches are supposed to stand, but which they have failed to carry out. When the churches cense from troubling, Samuel, we can drop these matters. In the meantime, let us all remember — "Tho' the cause, of evil seem to prosper, 'Tis truth alone is strong." If we aro wrong. Samuel, wo shall fail; if we are right, we shall surely win. So let it lie. We cannot please everybody, Samuel, and remembering tho old man with his donkey, we don't try. Not long ago I met a very old settler in Now Zealand who has prospered hero. He shook mo by the. hand and said: "Sir, I am proud and pleased to meet you. If you had doite nothing in New Zealand hut write your reply to Archbishop Redwood, you deserve- well of the people of New Zealand. I hope you will write a good deal more on the same lines. I like jour motto, 'Let the truth prevail.'" You will see our difficulty, friend Samuel. We sco yours. I was not a member of a church for over 20 years for nothing, and I know how tender are the religious prejudices of people. I also know that if they onco begin to think about other matters they aro likely to think on religious matters, fn which event most, of t tho creeds and dogmas fa*lo into insignificance. Tho essential elements of religion are all rk'ht. "Live righteously," but it is impossible to live righteously in a wicked and unjust state of society. Socialism will alter this and make real religion a possibility.