DYNAMIC CHRISTIANITY AND WAR

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 9

DYNAMIC CHRISTIANITY AND WAR

TO THI KDITOft Of THB PRESS. Sir As a fellow-Methodist and friend of the Rev. Percy Paris, I cannot but deplore the misinterpretation of facts by "G. 8.5.," in "The Press" of Friday. "G. 8.5." has so changed the facts of the statements of Mr Paris as to wholly alter their significant meanings. The Rev Percy Paris, one of the most progressive Christian thinkers, did not give Socialism as a remedy for any ills or war. Christianity, on the contrary, calls for individual liberty. Therefore, the fconomic order, which has as its purpose the supply of individual needs, withdUt hindering personal development or character, is tfce aim of the Rev Percy Paris. That is why he attacked war so vigorously and also (which is of paramount importance) the cause of war—the present ghastly monetary system, the regulator of individual righs and privileges. Too long, Mr Paris as the mouthpiece of seriously-thinking Methodists has urged that Christian principles have been avoided in economics. Too long has the present monetary system been bowed to with all the mystery and inexorableness of a God. It has become the slave-master of us—as "G. 8.5." would also have the State. We are puppets in its hand. Our personal individuality is being blown to shreds. Mr Paris has revealed the monetary system to us as the ruling evil of the world, the father of lies, the creator of.wars and'human misery and bitterness, the destroyer and restrictor of God's natural gifts to man. He has ably and correctly revealed it to us as an inhuman, ghastly monetary system which is starving and degrading millions of God's children with its unchristian and inhuman treachery, robbing millions of their natural heritage of civilisation, their physical comfort, and access to everything that they have the individual quality to develop and enjoy. "G. 8.5." would be well advised to study fully all of the utterances of Mr Paris, that he might become a trup champion and disciple of personal liberty, and peace and goodwill, and the attacker of the present monetary system. Finally, might I urge that, everybody who would become a better

Christian—a champion of his brother •man (and, incidentally, God) would be well repaid with a study of monetary reform.—Yours, etc., LIBERTY. Waimate, February 25, 1938