Bolshevism and Religion.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 134, 8 June 1931, Page 6

Bolshevism and Religion.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —I am sorry I know little about Association football, having played only Rugby in my unregenerate days! As for “ the shooting of bishops and clergy ” by the Soviet Power and “ for what offence,” that I can perhaps answer to some extent. The death penalty in general is abolished in Russia for such cases as ordinary murder, but is retained for banditry and “ counter-revolutionary activities.” Bishops and clergy are no more immune than any other citizen. The cloth, confers no privileges. On the contrary, religion is, to Bolshevists, “ the opium of the people,” meaning that by bidding men look forward to a heaven after this life, the priest “ drugs ” them to forget to find a paradise in this one. Religion to the Bolshevik meant the teaching of the old Orthodox Russian This was counter-revolutionary up to 1927 and caused the execution of “ several score bishops and priests, the exile or imprisonment of one-third of the hierarchy.” This Church after the revolution excommunicated the Bolsheviks and declared its loyalty to the old Czarist regime. The struggle came to a head in 1922, when the Soviet Power seized the Church treasures for famine relief. The resistance cf the clergy ended in the Metropolitan, Benjamin, in Leningrad being shot along with several priests in Moscow. The struggle over the Church treasures led the old Orthodox Church to split in two and a new “ Living Church ” broke off, which supported the Soviet regime. In 1927 the old Orthodox Church itself came to an understanding with the Government. In spite of this political struggle the churches themselves remained open for congregations to worship and follow the religious customs of baptism, marriage and funeral rites. When the revolution occurred, “to ensure for the workers genuine liberty of conscience, the Church is separated from the State and the schools from the Church; and freedom of religious and anti-religious propaganda is assured every citizen.” Today, however, only anti-religious propaganda is allowed. For further information consult Heckers “ Religion Under the Soviets” in the Vanguard Press, New York. —I am, etc., N. M. BELL. St Albans, 6.6.31.