POLITICS AND RELIGION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 4 November 1925, Page 15

POLITICS AND RELIGION.

(To the Editor.} Sir, The Reform cnmlidntp for Auckland West (Mr. Oldfiel.n is reported, in your issue of 31st ultimo, as having made the following statement in the course of some remarks in favour of Bible in schools: "I believe that no man who is an atheist, agnostic, or infidel has the right to sit in Parliament to make laws for a Christian people." In other words. Mr. Oldtiold would deprive of the right of Parliamentary entrance or representation all those who are genuinely unable to accept religious belief, and who tire courageous enough to voice their objections to current creeds. What a premium would such an intolerant, reactionary measure place upon insincerity and hypocrisy. That such a narrow sectarian sentiment should be enunciated by a candidate is most regrettable, and shows, moreover, an amazing ignorance of political- history. One of the greatest Liberals in the* history of our'country (Mr. liallance) was an agnostic. Great past Liberal history-makers of the United States, such as Lincoln and Jefferson, were rationalists, and in similar manner I could go through the history of Liberalism in other lands, picking out the names of men, revered for their great ideals and influence for good, who rejected Christianity and all other forme of' Bupernaturalism. Would Mr. Oldfield deny these political giants, if now living, the right of Parliamentary membership V Would he, I wonder, exclude our present Chief Justice? The, reason advanced by Mr. Oldfield for his belief is the merest electioneering claptrap, and will not bear a, moment's serious investigation. It is that agnosticism prepares the way for red revolution. Even in theory it yet remains to be demonstrated how a man who, through ', intellectual difficulties ceases to believe in Christian dogmas is thereby converted to extreme revolutionary ideas. Iv I actual fact it is palpably false. I know personally many agnostics amongst whom are the mildest and least militant of men. Rome are even supporters of Reform. Apart from thftt, I could give a long list of outstanding names in. British science, art, and literature whose possessors have long since ceased to give credence to supernaturalism, yeto no one has so far accused those of desiring to emulate the Bolsheviks. As your correspondent B. J. Gondringer ably points out in your same issue, a man's patriotism cannot be gauged by his I religious opinions—nor, may I add, by. his rejection of them.—Yours, etc., A.E.C.