PACIFISM AND WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1939, Page 5

PACIFISM AND WAR

ATTITUDE OF METHODIST CHURCH. CANTERBURY RESOLUTION ißv Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. November IG. The Methodist Synod of the North Canterbury district discussed the Church’s attitude to war today, and, after resolutions had been put forward representing opposite views. - a compromising resolution, framed by the Rev M. A. Rugby Pratt, "to harmonise the views," was passed. Mr 11. Chapman (Christchurch) had given notice of motion: "That this synod places on record that extreme pacifist views, publicly expressed by certain members of our church, are purely their personal opinion, and do not express the mind of the Methodist Church.” Mr H. Ryan (Rangiora) opposed this resolution and moved: "That synpd declares its conviction in this time of national peril that applied Christianity is the only solution of the problems of the world. It deplores extreme nationalism and militaristic statements, which are neither in accord with the teachings of the New Testament, nor with the mind of the Christian Church. It. recognises the supreme importance of human personality. and strongly deprecates any attempt to undermine the sacred rights of conscience or to prevent free and unfettered expression of moral and spiritual convictions.” Mr Pratt, connexional secretary to the Methodist Church in New Zealand, offered a resolution to harmonise the views. It read: "This synod declares j that the mind of the Methodist Church on the issues of pacifism and war is set forth in the official deliverances of the conference and not in published utterances of individual members of the Church." The resolution was ! adopted unanimously.