RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE SOVIET UNION

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 10

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE SOVIET UNION

Sir,—l must thank Flora W. Gould and “L.S.’’ for making an opportunity ■ for aie; to draw attention to the popular fallacy that ; because the people of the Soviet Union are permitted by law to/hold religious services automatifollows that they enjoy religious freedom. Need r repeat that , although if is’fortiiddento issue any local laws or regulatiotis restricting' or limiting freedom, of or establishing privileges or preferential rights of any kind based-upon religious profession Ofariy.persbn.yet membership of the Comumnist Party, the only authorised political , party, is confined to those who repudiate, belief in God? Does this hot penalise the believer in God despite article. 2? Has the. believer rights and privileges equal to those en- ' joyed by me non-believer? The believer has to sacrifice either his God on his political rights, does he not? No . person who believes in God can bring Ms influence to bear on the gov- « eminent of the covmtry, no matter hgw - sound his ideas may be. Does not this give the atheist preferential .rights? ' Ahd' : thls,:is what , ‘L.Si-” calls religious freedom." Unfortunately, there are in New Zealand many unwitting accom- > rilfce&’bf the Bolshevist ■lnternationale » and rid charges "of anrogarice will stop. me, .from striving to help my fellow , cduntrymen to clarify their concepts of ■thlt. religious freedom which is to-day ;;• ■ j.n.o. : *)August;l9, 1941.