CHURCH AND DANCING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 9

CHURCH AND DANCING

CLERGYMEN'S APPROVAL "INNOCENT RECREATION" That the ballroom of each old homo in Brisbane acquired by the Church had been converted into a chapel must be interpreted rather as a' matter of convenience than as implying any opposition to dancing, es.id the Roman Catholic Archbishop 06 Brisbane, Dr. J. Duhig, recently. Ha was speaking at the blessing of a. new; temporary chapel in ICedron Lodge, Kalinga, an old Brisbane home. The Church, Dr. Duhig said, believed that dancing, kept within proper grounds, was an innocent recreation, and an admirable exercise, sanctioned by the immemorial custom of all races, civilised and uncivilised. It was only by interesting herself in the social as well as the religious life of youth thab the Church could keep fully in touch with the growing generation and make them the worthy citizens and faithful followers of Christ it desired them to be.

"There is not the slightest harm in dancing. If t were not so old and stiff, I would danco myself," said tho Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. D. F. Brandt, when opening the new buildings of the Presbyterian In-« stitutional Church at Pyrmont, Sydney, lately. Religion, ho added, wsjs not a moral policeman, nor was the Church a killjoy, forbidding people to do this and that. _____