N.Z.B.C. Help In Church Programmes Criticised

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31215, 12 November 1966, Page 16

N.Z.B.C. Help In Church Programmes Criticised

“If it is true, as claimed, i that this is a democratic coun- 1 try and that there is no state ' religion, by what process of justice and reasoning can the privileged status granted to the National Council of Churches by the N.Z.B.C. be 1 justified?” asks the president of the New Zealand Rationalist Association (Mr P. Campbell). “I was interested to read the report of a statement made by the Rev. J. E. Simpson, of Wellington relating to the presentation of religious programmes on television," says Mr Campbell. “The press report stated inter alia, The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation makes men available to assist the National Council of Churches with productions and they are always eager to help, but this is not enough.’ The report further states that the radio and television committee of the church has decided, That the purpose of religious programmes should be envangelistic.' “That the churches’s position is privileged is apparent when cognizance is taken of the fact that according to own testimony, they repre-

sent only one out of every 10 of the population. Further, the allegiance of many of that tenth is in all probability only nominal.

“Again, if it is contended that the churches are allowed this favoured position to provide worship for those who cannot attend a church, then by what method of reasoning does the corporation permit so much time for straight-out evengelising. The situation is reminiscent of some of the best Gilbert and Sullivan antics. “In the cause of mental health, if not democratic freedom, surely it is time the N.Z.B.C. considered the great number of other religions not included in ’the main stream’ of Christianity together with philosophies such as humanism and rationalism.

“In this secular age of ‘Christian atheism' it is appropriate that the N.Z.B.C. should review its attitude to the National Council of Churches and consider following the example of the 8.8. C. by recognising a Humanist Advisory Committee comprising members of organised rationalism and other secular bodies,” says Mr Campbell.