SOCIALISM AND CHRISTIANITY.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 17266, 16 September 1919, Page 9

SOCIALISM AND CHRISTIANITY.

Sir, —While correspondents are trying to pursuade the public that Socialism is . I not anti-Christian the " Official Journal ; I of the New Zealand Labour Party and a journal of Socialism," the Maoriland ; j Worker, is publishing most bitter attacks ; lon the Christian faith. The Worker of ] I September 3, 1919. is making a plea for more Socialist Sunday-schoole. Here are some extracts: —"It is a tremendous, handicap to allow orthodox. Sunday-schools ! to capture the bairns and indoctrinate , them with their religious narcotics. A ; training in this spiritual cocaine makes '' straight for Dubbism (cont-entedness) in the adults." Further, "'the whole ot their creeds and superstition rest upon a fallacy." and " have no Bible-teaching, and put Socialist, teaching in the place of I relic-ions teaching." The Worker says ; further. " That Catholics and Protectants I are dubious about the prevailing superI stitions " A special edition of tno Auck- | land Labour News of December 16. 1916. contained the following:— ' The wowser churches are infamous dens administering chloroform and dope." The following is taken from a "Red" hymn book: — Onward Christian soldier?'. Duty's way is plain! Slay your Christian neighbours, or by them be slain : Pulpiteers are spouting effervescent swill, God abovf» is calling you to rob and rape and kiH, Onward Christian soldier' Rip and tear and smite! Let the gentle Jesus bless your dynamite. These line* are taken from an I.WW. ! .sons: hook who are comrades in arm? with Socialists: both organisations are aiming at the one goal. I believe Revelations 1 vi.. throws much light on the Russian debacle, and what it would mean throughout the world. Under the symbol of the " red horse and his rider," which is the. socialist's colour, we are told " they shall kill one another with a ereat sword." which seems to set forth internecine strife too awfil to contemplate. Is it any wonder Socialists say: " If we could only tret that cursed Rook out of the way we would make progress?" Wesley Rich Anns. 1 P.S.—lf Mr. Langstone did not receive ' a copy of Ingersoll's works from the i Labour Party his quarrel is with the i Labour News of July 1, 1919. There is no mention of him having received, anv i other book,—W.R. 1