BROADCASTS AND RELIGION

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 8 March 1935, Page 7

BROADCASTS AND RELIGION

MICROPHONE AND THE PULPIT

fßy Telegraph— rress Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 7. The possibility that through its control of broadcasting the State might eventually control the expression qf religion was comment made by Mr. H. Sturge, chairman, at this evening’s session of the annual assembly of the Congregational Union. Mr. Sturgo said many people held that the advance of broadcasting would finally do away with church-going and that the microphone would replace the pulpit. If that ever did occur the State might control religion, or at least the expression of it- “And, said Mr. Sturge, “if that does happen may God help us all- ’ . Mr Sturge added, however, that fie himself did not hold the view that the people would give up church-going tc listen to broadcast- services. There would always be an impulse for people to assemble to worship. Omy by t.ie assembling of people in the churches could the church grow, and failure Lr the people to assemble could only lead to spiritual atrophy, decay and death.