PROBLEMS OF BELIEF

New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 725, 5 June 1953, Page 14

PROBLEMS OF BELIEF

OME of the problems that worry sincere doubters in religion will be discussed by a psychiatrist and priests of different denominations in a series of three programmes from 4YC entitled Problerns of Religious Belief. The programmes will be chaired by Philip Nevill, grand-néphew of the former Bishop of Dunedin, and the psychiatrist, who will appear in each discussion, is Dr, Geoffrey Blake Palmer. The other speakers are the Rev. Fr. L, T. McArdle, O.D., who is in charge of the construction of the Dominican university students’ hall of residence in North Dunedin, the Rev. Fr. F. W. B. Perkins, O.G.S., warden of Selwyn Céllege, and the Rev. J. G. Matheson, minister of Knox Presbyterian Church, The first programme, to be heard at 8.0 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, from 4YC, will discuss the problem of "Sin and Punishment." The speakers will attempt to answer the question, Is man really morally responsible for his actions, and if not, how can we reconcile the punishment we are told he will receive for sin with the idea of an allpowerful and all-loving God? Fr, Me-

Ardle and Fr. Perkins will discuss this question with Dr. Blake Palmer. The second programme, to be heard on the following Saturday, will discuss "The Problem of Suffering." This is perhaps the most common stumbling block to religious belief. The question will be, Why does an all-powerful and loving God allow the pain and suffering there is in the world? Mr. Matheson and Fr. McArdle will discuss this with Dr. Blake Palmer. The third programme discusses "Inequality of Native Endowment." Thé appatent randomness of creation is the point at issue here. Why does God create people with physical and mental handicaps while making others génitises? The speakers, béside Dr. Blake Palmer, will be Mr. Matheson and, Fr. Perkins. Another programme on the problem of belief soon to be broadcast is called Belief in God, in which a. rationalist argues with a minister of religion. The speakers are Professor G. E. Hughes, Professor of Philosophy at Victoria University College and a priest of the Church of England, and John Bowden, J.P., of Sydney, a well-known Australian rationalist. The chairman is A, K. Turner, Q.C., of Auckland. The programme is the first of a planned series called Argument, which has been desighed to bring together widely-differ-ing opinions on questions of ultimate personal thinking. The broadcast date of Belief in God will be arnounced later.