CHURCH AND DANCING

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 21 (Supplement)

CHURCH AND DANCING

SCOTTISH CONTROVERSY. DIFFERENCES OF OPINION. London, July 28. Scotland’s Loch Ness monster has been temporarily ousted from the Scottish limelight by a controversy concerning the sinfulness or otherwise of dancing. The. discussion arose from the suspension for six months by the . Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland of John Murray, who for 13 years was Provost at Dornoch, for having permitted dancing at his daughter’s party. At present nobody is certain if dancing is sinful. Most Church leaders are tolerant. Only the Methodists are uncompromisingly hostile. The Rev. William Younger, a former president of the Methodist Conference, said:—

“The Methodist Church definitely bans dancing. The standing orders say that dances must not be held on premises under the 1 Methodist Trust.” The Scottish point of view is obscure. The Rev. Archibald Main, convener of the Business Committee of the Church of Scotland, says there is no law against dancing.. The ban is a tradition retained chiefly by the smaller churches. The Rev. J. G. Sutherland, clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, regards the Dornoch decision as “rather puritanical;” The Rev. James Barr, clerk of the United Free Church of Scotland, says:— “There is no restriction of dancing in one’s own home, but we are definitely opposed to dancing in connection with Church life.” The Rev. M. Rowe, Secretary-General of the Assembly of the Unitarian FreeChristian Churches, says he regards dancing as a pleasant method for young people of spending their leisure as long as it is well supervised. The Rev. Maldwyn Johnes, assistant secretary of the Congregational Union, says:—“l certainly do not regard dancing as sinful.” . The Rev. Melbourne Aubrey, secretary of the Baptist Union, says:—“Many ministers believe that dancing is an excellent pastime, and allow, it at social gatherings.” The Rev. Thomas Mackay, secretary of the Presbyterian Church of England, says:—“We never objected to our members dancing.” The Church of England spokesman said he had .no objection to ordinary .dances which , were held nightly-in parish halls. A Salvation Army, official says;he regards dancing as a waste ,of time; but different rules exist outside the army. Certainly he has no objection to yoiing : people dancing at times of festivity. Ordinary, dancing by adults is as harmless as parlour games.