Religious life in N.Z.

Press, 8 November 1980, Page 17

Religious life in N.Z.

Religion in New Zealand Society. Edited by Brian CoHess and Peter Donovan. Dunmore Press, 1980. 215 pp. $14.95 (paperback, $11.95).

(Reviewed by

Maurice Brown)

Well-edited collections of papers from symposia are hardly the stuff I rush to buy; mostly they are indulged in as nostalgic reminders of an enjoyable or profitable conference. Seldom do I buy old conference notes and "Religion in New Zealand Society” hardly inspires me by its title. This collection might well be left on the shelf for the odd religious observer who wishes to' delve into the cerebral stirrings of a few professional theologians and-this would be a pity; here we have a religious panorama which presents not only a broad sweep of religious life in New Zealand today, but carefully researched and documented material which has not yet had time to become dated. We are encouraged to contemplate the various contributions made to religion in New Zealand, not only by European moulded traditions, but through the Maori religiqus movements, Judaic contributions, and Indian oriented religions. Colin Brown of Christchurch

examines two major contributions to the future of religion in our society through the ecumenical movement and the charismatic revival. He addresses himself to the question of how significant these movements are, and how they have succeeded or failed to make a vital and permanent contribution. Lloyd Geering’s contribution is as penetrating as one would expect Professor Geering to be and he looks at pluralism and the future of religion in New Zealand. lan Breward asks us if we have moved out of our colonial nursery room, and E. H. Blasoni looks to see where Roman Catholicism • contributes to indigenous New Zealand religion. For the student of religious movements and comparative studies, as well as the person in the pew, this collection of papers with its vast bibliography is helpful in gaining a new perspective on religion in New Zealand today. With our increasing proliferation of sects and para-churcn movements, not to mention the diversification within the established orders, we need to stand back and try to see the wood through the rambling jungle of church growth. I am grateful to this book’s contributors for their honesty and clarity.