THE CHURCH AND WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1934, Page 6

THE CHURCH AND WAR

BAPTIST UNION OPINIONS SHARP DIFFERENCE OF VIEWS. “ABSOLUTE OPPOSITION” MOTION. POSTPONEMENT OF DECISION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The attitude of the church to war was discussed at length by the annual assembly of the Baptist Union of New Zealand at Wellington to-night when a motion declaring the absolute opposition, of the union to war as being altogether incompatible with the spirit of the teaching and example of Christ was submitted by tlie Rev. L. A. North (Christchurch). A sharp division of opinion was manifest, and the motion was eventually referred to a committee, which will frame a further resolution for presentation to a later session of the assembly. The text of the motion submitted by Mr. North was: “This assembly declares its absolute opposition to war as being altogether incompatible with the spirit, teaching and example of our Lord Jesus Christ. It urges upon the Government the observance of the pledge given by our nation under the Kellogg Pact, and further declares its conviction that the time has arrived when the Christian church should declare emphatically and finally that it will not participate in any way by encouraging its members of either sex to participate in its prosecution, either by serving with the forces or in the manufacture of or transport of munitions and military supplies.” The Rev. J. C. Macky (Nelson) said it was all very well for the assembly to sit there, in smug security and hamper the Government in the adequate defence of the Empire. He felt the motion should be investigated very fully. He would be shocked if it wentjout throughout the land as the opinion of the assembly. What was wanted in the church to-day was a militant goodness. The peace of 100 years had been maintained because Britain was strong enough to show her teeth if necessary. The world to-day wag like a howling menagerie, and it was ridiculous to look round and expect that the nations would fall into each other’s arms and kiss each other. The hearts of the nations had not changed yet. They were not lambs but wild beasts.

“I Rave walked over the fields of Flanders and seen monuments in thousands, and how can I love war?” said Mr. W. J. Bardsley (Otago). “But if the Mother Country were challenged, are we as her offspring to stand still and do nothing in her defence? The resolution would make the assembly a laughing stock.” After other speeches Mr. North suggested a committee be appointed to draft a further motion for presentation to a later meeting of the assembly. This was agreed to. Earlier in the day a discussion arose on the appointment of a chaplain to the forces committee. The Rev. L. B. Busfield (Auckland), opposing this, said he felt no Baptist minister ought to go into camp swearing allegiance to a military authority. Further consideration was postponed till the church’s attitude to war was determined.