CHURCH AND WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 13

CHURCH AND WAR

METHODIST DISCUSSION COMPROMISE. RESOLUTION [BY TELEGBAFH —TRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHRISTCHUECH, Friday. ' The Methodist Synod of the North Canterbury district discussed the Church's attitude to war to-day, and,, after resolutions., had been pUt forward representing opposite views, a compromising resolution, framed by; tho Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt "to harmonise the views," was passed." Mr. H. Chapman (Christchurch) had given notice of motion that the synod place on record that the extreme pacifist views publicly expressed by : certain » members of the Church -were purely / their personal opinions .and did not | express the mind of the Methodist - Church. I Mr. H. Ryan (Rangiora) opposed this § resolution and moved as follows: "That the" synod declares its conviction ill this time of national peril that applied Christianity is the only solution of the problems of the world. It deplores extreme nationalism and militaristic statements, which aire neither in accord with the teachings of the New Testament, nor with the- mind of the Christian Church. It recognises the supreme importance of human, personality, and strongly deprecates any attempt to undermine the sacred rights of conscience, or to prevent free and > unfettered expression of moral and spiritual convictions." ; : Mr. Pratt, connetftional secretary.to the Methodist Church in New Zealand, offered a resolution to harmonise these views, which read: —"This synod declares that the mind of the Methodist Church on the issues of pacifism and war is set forth in the official deliverances of the conference, and not in the published utterances of individual members of the Church." The resolution was carried unanimously.

SOUTH AUCKLAND THEWS LOYALTY AND FREEDOM [FROM OUR; OWN correspondent] CAMBRIDGE, Friday Eleven resolutions dealing with the attitude of the Methodist Church toward war and other current problems were passed by the South Auckland Methodist Synod, which has concluded its sessions at Cambridge. Synod affirmed its loyalty to tiao Throne and to the fundamental .principles of justice and liberty on which the Empire is built, but asserted 'that such loyalty must not necessarily, be identified with agreement to every action of the political authorities. The right to express divergence of conviction without their loyalty to the Empire being impugned was Maimed. Another resolution counselled the people of the Church in the present crisis to co-operate with the authorities "so far as may bo possible without compromising their loyalty to God." It was urged that after the present conflict the final settlement between the nations should be' effected ( on truly Christian principles. Synod recommended conference to set up a committee to prepare the Church's manifesto of the principles on which a world peace can be established, based on social, economic,. and political justice, in which the rights of all nations to self-determination shall be secured, and freedom from external interference and aggression shall be assured. The right of ministers and laymen to freedom of interpretation and speech in the pulpit was reacknowledged, such freedom to be conditioned by the rules and doctrines of the Methodist Cliurch, and by the exercise of reasonable restraint. 9

VIEW ON PACIFISM WITHDRAWAL FROM OATH The Auckland Metliodist Synod passed the following resolution yesterday:— "This synod records its regret that on some occasions church organisations have been used for the encouragement of forms of extreme pacifism, particularly in inviting young people, to take the pacifist oath. In , view of -the fact that conditions have materially changed since many of them did so synod emphasises that any -who ..have signed should know that they may honourably withdraw should they so desire."