COMMUNISM AND SOCIALISM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 145, 1 April 1948, Page 6

COMMUNISM AND SOCIALISM

“Are They Christian ?” ADDRESS AT BAPTIST CHURCH There was a good attendance at the Baptist Church last evening when Mr Gordon E. Rowe, LL.B., of Palmerston North, gave an address on the subject “Communism and Socialism—Delusion and ■ Counterfeit Religion—Are They Christian?” The Rev. J. Browning presided. Mr Rowe began his address by pointing out that Socialism, Communism, Fascism and Nazism were all based on the doctrines of Karl Marx, and that there were really no major differences in the aims and objects of the four systems. The only respect in which some of the parties differed was in the methods by which they attempted to achieve their ends. Communism, Fascism and Nazism adopted the revolutionary methods of achieving their ends. Socialism, on the other, hand, preferring the evolutionary method, generally desired to produce their ends' by legislative methods if feasible, but if they could not succeed in that democratic way, they would resort to coercion.

Mr Rowe went on to say that Christian people, who had learned in whatsoever state they were in therewith to be content, might be little concerned with the political regime under which they lived. Pleasure or suffering might not concern ‘them greatly if they were willing to endure trial for their testimony’s sake, but they were concerned when, subtley or openly, an attack was made against Christian fundamentals and the Christian way of life.

Quoting from the writings of Bebel, Belfort Box, Robt. Blatchford, Bernard Shaw, H. D. Lloyd, French and Philip Snowden, the speaker showed how both Communism and Socialism were diametrically opposed to Christianity, both being atheistic in all their forpis. In a striking appeal, Mr Rowe appealed (iO all Christians to take an aggressive stand against these forces in the cause of righteousness and freedom. The Christian duty so clearly expressed in the words “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name (on behalf of) of the Lord Jesus,” should leave the Christian in no doubt as to what course to take. Spiritual and moral' standards which were at stake would weigh more heavily than a very temporary material gain whch these systems offered, and they must always ask themselves the question, “what would Christ do?”