ANTI-GOD SOCIETY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 856, 27 December 1929, Page 9

ANTI-GOD SOCIETY

CHURCH BELLS TAKEN DOWN CAMPAIGN AT CHRISTMAS LONDON, December 19. The dismantling of church bells is one of the prominent features of Moscow’s anti-Christmas campaign, states the Riga correspondent of “The Times.” The campaign has already begun on a large scale throughout Russia under the aegis of the Anti-God Society and other Communist organisations, which go through the farce of presenting the authorities with petitions signed by a number of parishioners. Believers are prevented from presenting counterpetition by intimidation, after which the bells are confiscated “in response to the request of the toilers,” and smelted down. The cutting down of trees for Christmas trees is prohibited under a heavy fine. Soviet labour organisations have ordered the “mobilisation of actors, artists, musicians and authors to take part in the anti-religious campaign on Christmas Day.” Owing to their previous reluctance to assist the movement. the musicians and actors are now commanded to perform in antiGod processions and performances outside the churches during divine service. Other troupes are being organised to travel by motor and train and to perform at various centres. The authors are being mobilised for public readings of anti-religious literature.