VIEWS ON DANCING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 27 November 1936, Page 4

VIEWS ON DANCING

METHODIST SYNOD. (Special to “Standard.”) HASTINGS, Nov. 26. That young people of the Methodist Church should lie warned of the subtle evils associated with dane hails was the view which was expressed at the concluding session of the Hawke’s BnyManawatu Distirct Synod, which has been sitting in Hastings. The report of the \Velfare of the Church Committee, which was submitted by Rev. A. Blakemore, dealt with junior church membership and the problem of leisure. The question of dancing raised a long discussion by the meeting. There was a divided opinion as to whether dancing was morally wrong or not. There was general agreement on the idea that the church should provide outlets for adolescent emotional energy. There was a division of opinion as to whether the Church could arrange and control dances so that they would be morally safe for those who engaged in them. It was urged that the young people should be warned in Bible class discussions and personal talks of the subtle evils associated with some dances.

The synod supported the Church’s law which prohibits dancing on church property, and advanced the proposal that the conference instruct the Youth Board to consider the whole question o finiproving the standard of young people’s socials from the points of view of decorum and attractiveness.

The following resolution was passed: “We are of the opinion that such are the moral and spiritual dangers associated with mixed dances, that to recommend that no alteration be made in the Church’s law on the matter.”