RUSSIA AND RELIGION

Matamata Record, Volume XVII, Issue 1589, 24 December 1934, Page 2

RUSSIA AND RELIGION

NATIVE'S VIEWPOINT

Lady Missioner’s Statement The attitude of the Soviet Government of Russia towards religion was ' described by Miss Natalie Grushenkova, of the Russian Missionary Society, during her address in St. Andrew’s Hall, Matamata, on Wednesday. Miss Grushenkova stated that just/ after the revolution they had great religious freedom in Russia. They could hold church meetings, Bible Classes, etc., but later on persecution of Christians began. The Government had many schools well run —hut there was no religious instruction. Athiestic teachings were compulsory and God was not recognised by the Government. Anyone possessing l a copy of the, Bible was deemed to have committed a crime against the Government. Religious freedom existed on paper, but not in practice. Some 70,000 churches had been closed and turned into cinemas, stables for the horses of the Red Army, etc. It was true that not all churches were closed. In Southern Russia, especially, were churches functioning. The last official decree of the Soviet on this question was that by 1937 they wished to do away with churches and religion. Religious meetings could be held if special permission was obtained, but a minister could only work where his own church was and no outside minister could be invited to assist. If a minister was arrested he could not be replaced. This was one way adopted to get rid of religious workers and close the churches. Churches were not allowed to give material assistance to their members, or to hold group meetings, such as sewing classes. Christians were deprived of their food tickets, had no right of voting and could not join trade unions. In spite of all this the speaker believed that the Government would never kill the faith in God which was in the heart of every true Russian. There was something in the hearts of the people which prevented them from joining the Godless army. No Bible could be sent into Russia either privately or otherwise, yet among the millions there was a great longing for the Light of God. Many of those in power had never heard the message of God, especially the younger ones, and while not forgetting this, they should appreciate all the more the great blessings they had in the freedom of this country.