THE ENGLISH REFORMATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23224, 23 June 1937, Page 15

THE ENGLISH REFORMATION

The Reformation undoubtedly emphasised the right of individual access to God and ■of the necessity of each soul giving an account of itself; it also allowed and encouraged the reading of the Bible. But did it really, as Is so often claimed, stand for toleration and freedom? (asks Dr L. Elliolt-Binns in his book " The Reformation of England"), written in commemoration of the fourth centenary, which falls next year. Toleration is really a growth of more recent times, he asserts, and is in part the fruit of indifference; people no longer consider theological doctrines so dangerous or so helpful as once they did. The rise of natural science and the different mental climate which it has brought with it makes intolerance seem petty and foolish. Thp growth, too, of commerce has had its share in bringing about the spread of a less narrow spirit; for in a world containing both Protestants and Catho lies—not to mention peoples of very diverse religions other than the Chris tian—intolerance simply does not pa> arid only serves to set up barriers to trade. The Reformation undoubtedly suffered from the confusion and crudity which accqmpany, almost inevitably, the birth and growth of every revolution, be it political, social, or religious. But it had its better side also, and the traditional English vipw which sees in it the beginnings of national greatness needs but little modification.