MARXISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 5

MARXISM

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—"lsrael" classes me as a devil. Am I to understand that he does not love me as' much as, let alone more than, he does himself? That raises the question, Did "Israel" ever come to understand any human being by calling him a devil? It may be well enough and satisfactory for " Israel" to sit within his own religion and rail at others who are not of his ilk. But the need of the world to-day is for men, who.differ in the form of their religion, to learn to understand one another. " Israel" is a Christian. The Japanese are Shintoists. The Communists have a new religion called Communism. They present a thought-out philosophy. It may be entirely wrong, but any good Communist is as willing to give instruction to a prospective convert as is any Christian minister. Indeed, it is said that Communists take their religion more seriously than Christian ministers take theirs. My own opinion is that most Christians have no clear understanding of the theoretical similarities and differences between Christianity and Communism. I wonder if " Israel" could tell me what they are? Can " Israel" tell me, or has he any idea, under what conditions a man can love his neighbour as himself? Can he do so, for example, if he is ordered to do so, or if he decides to do so?—I am, etc., Comrade No. 1.