The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES." GISBORNE, MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1947 CHRISTIAN INFLUENCES IN THE WORLD TO-DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22281, 17 March 1947, Page 2

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES." GISBO RNE, MONDAY, M ARC H 17, 1 947 CHRISTIAN INFLUENCES IN THE WORLD TO-DAY

JN recent times a new and stronger interest in religion lias been noticeable. One phase of ibis is a greatly increased production of what may be called religious films. Probably it is ad part of the revival of attention to the relationship between religion and the arts. Some time ago the British Broadcasting Corporation planned a series of discussions on the subject covering the field oi music, painting, literature, architecture and the cinema. Novelists such as Feuchtwanger and Thomas Mann lately turned to religious topics and a large number of thoughtful people have been attracted by the Dorothy Sayers religious drama of the life of Christ-—“ The Man Born to be King.” Encouraged, perhaps, by the success so far achieved by its efforts to stimulate stronger public interest in the faith which many people believe is destined to save mankind, the 8.8. C. has now announced that it intends to inaugurate a gradual and experimental broadening of policy to include religious controversy in broadcasts. “Broadcasting,” says an official statement for the corporation, “has a responsibility to meet the need of millions of people who to-day are hungering after information on. spiritual issues. This must involve broadcasting coniiieting views, but affirmations of belief or unbelief can be conducted so that controversy, which is bound to be incidental to tlm primary purpose, shall not wound reasonable people.”

Elimination of Apathy.

This is a bold move on the part of the 8.8. C., but .when we remember that this eminently sound British organisation invariably proceeds along any given course with wisdom and circumspection there is reason for confidence in the outcome. The churches need never fear any trespassing on their domains by institutions, whether the cinema or the radio, which have gained popular attention and which could well be the means of overcoming the disturbing apathy of the past few years. Controversy creates interest in the human mind, and it is likely that a series of carefully conducted broadcast; talks and debates would solve for numerous people problems of mental and spiritual conflict, thus removing barriers that may be standing between them and regular participation in church activity. To attract young people to the church is a matter of particular importance. The pressure for organised teaching of religion.in schools is gaining ground, though admittedly there are difficulties which will require time and tactful perseverance before they are overcome. Youth itself is more careless and thoughtless in regard to religion than contemptuous of it. Self-consciousness in matters spiritual and a disinclination to give publicity to innermost thoughts hamper complete self-expression. The time is surely coming, however, when the practice of religion in its broadest and most humane aspects will have no difficulty in winning back the ground Christianity may have lost through narrow strictures, intolerance and some of the more glaring examples of un-Christian conduct by professed Christians. If there is a need for renewed faith in religion, there is also a need for a renewed public faith in some of its most zealous exponents.

Application to World Problems,

.Christianity as applied to a solution of the world’s grave problems has recently been mentioned by more than one distinguished visitor to New Zealand, among them Rear-Admiral Richard Byrd, the distinguished polar explorer. It is evident that Admiral Byrd is very much of a Christian philosopher as well as a courageous man of action. “Man finds that his greatest trouble is man himself,” he declared last week. “Bis own human nature is making it nearly impossible for him to fit himself into the dangerous environment he has created with his genius in the material sciences

.... Now the atomic bomb has made a world organisation for peace based upon justice even more desperately needed. Probably the only way to save freedom and Christianity is to begin to practise Christianity. However, a potential enemy must, also practise Christianity and until he does freedom must make itself firm and strong.”

In the minds of some people—not necessarily Admiral ByrdSoviet Russia is looming up on the horizon of civilisation as a potential enemy, and the forbidding mantle of anti-Christ is being placed upon her. This feeling, of course, originates from the earlier days of the Bolshevik revolution and the bitter organised attack on all forms of church worship. It would be wicked and harmful to believe, however, that, the Russians arc a Godless people. There is reason to think, on the contrary, that at heart they arc deeply religious and that, whether or not their Communist leaders are prepared to admit it, their political creed contains some practical Christianity.

In recent years, so it is reported, there has been a gradual softening of the official attitude towards religious education in the Soviet Union, the. one adamant official ruling being that religious instruction must not violate the basic principle of separation of Church and State. Altogether the signs of a new faith are not discouraging, and when the influence of it is more widely felt, especially among some of the satellite States, fresh hope will dawn for the safety and happiness of the world.