TALKS ON RUSSIA
Sir-A.B.C. speaks of my "timid treatment of religion in Russia." I wonder what he expected or wanted me. to say. Was it that I saw secret police listening in at services of worship or that priests told me harrowing tales of oppression, etc.? Perhaps it was not clear that I spoke only of what I saw myself or was told in interviews and conversations. I refuse to be dishonest and do otherwise. My talks were a record of a personal experience, not a collection of other people’s writings on the subject. : There were some aspects: of religion in Russia which give cause for rejoicing and thankfulness on the part of Christians everywhere, including A.B.C. Should I be "timid’’ and suppress those things? Other aspects gave cause for concern and I listed them also. Incidentally, I find that my comments are more critical than those reported as being made by other Christians who have visited the ‘U.S.S.R. recently, both’ before and after my visit. These include some very responsible people in England, Anglican, Baptist and Quaker. A.B.C. says that I "probably believe that religion is something private, and must under no circumstances be allowed to intrude in public. life." He doesn’t know me. Just how can a Christian believe that? I believe that Christianity is a very personal matter, and, because of that, we must be concerned with the whole of mankind and his affairs. Our Christian conscience and love must ‘make us so. Christianity hasn’t been tried yet. That is why we nted a more positive philosophy than we have-just anti-Communist and placing our strength in military might. The Communists have an idea and it is sweeping the world. What have we got? Obviously my comments were directed particularly to the level of national actions and policies. Surely A.B.C. doesn’t suggest that the Western world, as represented by its leaders and policies, is Christian? Russia — Communism -is not our enemy. It’s right here, complacency, selfishness, greed, ignorance and all that goes with our "way of life." Yes, Christianity is a positive philosophy. Now let us see and have something better than just talking about it. ©
NORRIS
COLLINS
(Christchurch).
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19540820.2.12.1
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 787, 20 August 1954, Page 5
Word count
Tapeke kupu
361TALKS ON RUSSIA New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 787, 20 August 1954, Page 5
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in