RADIO AND CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1935, Page 4

RADIO AND CHURCH

FEAR OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

EXPRESSION OF RELIGION.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night.

The possibility that through its control of broadcasting the State might eventually control the expression of religion was comment made by Mr. H. Sturge, chairman, at this evening’s session of the annual assembly of the Congregational Union.

Mi*. Sturge said many people held that the advance of broadcasting would finally do away with church-going and that the microphone would replace the pulpit. If that ever did occur the State might control religion, or at least the expression of it. “And,” said Mr. Sturge, “if that does happen may God help us.” Mr. Sturge added, however, that he himself did not hold the view that the people would- give up church-going to listen to broadcast services. There would always be an impulse for people to assemble to worship. Only by the assembling of the people in the churches could the Church grow, and failure by the people to assemble could only lead to spiritual atrophy, decay and death.