Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17th., 1930. ANTI-GOD CAMPAIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1930, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17th., 1930. ANTI-GOD CAMPAIGN

T HB protests against the Soviet’s savage treatment of those in Russia who desire to worship God, are arriving at the point when words must give place to action, if there is any sincerity in the expressed indignation. It is not a matter of one particular Church being victimised, as although the Orthodox branch is dominant in Russia, and is, therefore, the main sufferer. Soviet persecution is directed against all who refuse to deny the existence of God. Nor is it a question of Christianity only. Jews have also felt the harshness of the Soviet decrees, and indeed, the Russian Communists are quite frank in their determination that because they disbelieve in God, and because the Churches’ teachings are opposed to Communist materialism, religious worship must be wiped out. The Soviet has issued a challenge, and must not lament the consequences if the outside world accepts it. For many months now, charges of almost incredible brutality have been reported from various Russian centres. At first, these were thought to be isolated outbreaks, and the details perhaps exaggerated. The evidence, however, to the contrary is now overwhelming, and none can accuse the Church leaders of acting in a. burry. When men like the Pope, the Anglican Archbishops, the Free Church leaders, the Chief Rabbis, and the Greek Patriarchs state that after investigation they are satisfied that martyrdom for religious belief, is prevalent in Russia, these statements must be accepted as fact, and civilised communities should respond to any appeal made to them to stop these outrages. It is not a case of interfering with Russia’s “domestic concerns,” and any attempt by Moscow to connect the Churches’

righteous indignation with capitalism, can be dismissed as ridiculous. Nor can it be established in the least degree that any one of the Christian Churches is seeking to enhance its own prestige. Indeed quite apart from any question of religion, the Soviet savagery should be checked, solely on the ground of common justice. The idea of the Soviet attempting to abolish belief in God, is absurd, as such creed will exist for all time. This can be said without attempting any theological discussion, which is outside the province of a [secular newspaper. But, meanwhile, I the victims in Russia are being murdered, maimed and robbed, and not only Russia, but the whole world is the poorer for the wanton destruction. It is no answer to the Churches that in bygone ages their adherents did similar things to compel people to be Christians. Circumstances, as they exist to-day, are alone to be considered, and religious toleration is now practically world-wide. The Soviet’s replies to the charges are evasive, and terming murders and robbery as propaganda” and not persecution, is I characteristic effrontery.' The world’s remedy is not aggressive war, but severance of all relations, .unless the Soviet amends its way. Should that not have the desired effect, then help should be given to those in Russia struggling to be free. The Soviet has been given plenty of chances by the Powers, but seems determined to continue its nefarious tactics. There is scarcely a country that has not been victimised, and the forgive-and-forget policy is not producing the betterment expected. It is hard to believe that if all the Christian Powers were to make united official protest to the Soviet, that the latter would be adamant in its persecution of non-materialists, and although the latter’s life would be far from happy, the worst excesses would not be repeated.