National Council of Churches

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32700, 1 September 1971, Page 16

National Council of Churches

Sir, —South African apartheid is demonstrably immoral, and on this central issue the churches have “The Walrus” firmly on a hook. The more frantically he wriggles and tries- to direct our attention elsewhere the more obviously he is on the hook. His basic, position is that those who are not white are not fully human beings and do not deserve equal political, social, and educational rights. Consequently, force directed downwards is divinely right but force directed upwards is as rank ungodly rebellion as ever was. This being in the material interests of the rulers is just another example of a happy union of virtue and blatant self-interest. “The Walrus” has only one recourse and that is to try to create a diversion by yelling bloody murder and communism, communism, communism. What a hope he has.—Yours, etc., J. DUGDALE. August 31, 1971.

Sir,—Stuart Payne is out of town, and therefore not available to answer “The Walrus.” “The Walrus” cannot resist smear. For instance, what has “pulpit safety” to do with it? The church leaders have joined open discussion. Another example was the categorical statement about “terrorist” in his last letter, later admitted to be interpretation, not fact. I am a Christian who believes killing is nonChristian but there are many who believe otherwise. I am prepared to wager that

, “Vulcan” and “The Walrus” i believed in fighting in World , War ll—on one side or the I other—and that thev con- > sider themselves Christian. If f they consider it is right to . fight for their beliefs, then > surely it is right for others > to fight for their beliefs and , lives. Since when has might . been right?—Yours etc., . B.K.R. t August 31, 1971.

Sir, —I resent the suggestion of N.C.C. supporters that people of contrary opinion must not use anonymity as their defence from a New Zealand version of terrorism. I happen to oppose apartheid, but I would more strongly oppose a theory that human dignity comes before human life. Both dignity and life are sacred. And one kind of dignity you, sir, kindly allow, is that one can present an unpopular view in defence of, say, South Africa, and not suffer ostracism by having to state publicity something as irrelevant as one’s names.— Yours, etc., TOLERANCE. August 31, 1971.