PUBLIC OPINION

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 December 1950, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION

(Letters lor this column should De oriel i The views expressed are the views of th* | writers, not of this newspaper. Where a non ‘ de plume is used lhe wntei must enclose name and address, preferably on a separate sr.eti of paper to that on which the letter is written. On no account will letters over a nom de plume be published unless the name and < address of the writer is furnished to tht editor. Brevity and clarity are the two main < essentials looked for In this column). i ] Car Parking And Buses 1 There was a letter in this mornings paper re bus stop. I think the writer of that letter 1 a very selfish individual who expects ; to motor to wherever he or she 1 pleases in the city and have no opposi- : tion. ! Why should the writer expect old i people frail people and mothers with I little children to walk all the way 1 to Taupo Quay where there is no • shelter, to get a bus, while he parks ( his car in Ridgway Street. It is not every one who is fortunate enough to possess a motor car. I am etc. INDIGNANT CITIZEN. Religious Outlook Sir, —I read with interest your leader of December 16 on the “Religious Outlook.” One can find little to question in your remarks, and I specially note that you have recognised the right of the laity to express an I opinion on that elusive subject “reli-l gion.” The issue regarding Church] union has, I believe, no basis but that of property, position and ecclesiastical politics. There is no basis of compatability in theology and the religious temperament. Union would be a suicidal move for superstition has bent and holds the minds of millions. Reverting to the subject, religion founded as you st 1 by Jesus, Peter and Paul (a naive presumption, 1 think) has provided its experts the priesthood with great tomes of controversial literature. Its popular presentation, apart from ritual, is by argument from the pulpit and comes right within the grasp of the ordinary listener. I presume we are discussing popular religion as expressed in worship, beliefs and ecclesiastical formula. Ethics and morality are a thing apart; they are an expanding consciousness in human nature and have their roots in antiquity, yea, In the soul’s origin. Popular religion is not based on philosophy, spiritual law or human reason, hence any alert mind can ask hundreds of embarrassing questions. Archbishops, as we have recently noted, enjoy argument. I The old incentive to church attendance of 50 years ago of “a soul to save from the wrath to come” has vanished with the years. The clergy are limited and can do little to enlighten the world; they are bound by bonds of their own priestly weaving. The. public is no longer attracted by theories that seemingly have no correspondence to life s phenomena. Re-1 liglon will never save the world, but the inherent and growing spirit of altruism will save and reorientate religion—a religion that will materialise and glorify the imminent and divine in nature and mankind. When fac- ! tions forget their sacred fossils, spell binding formulas and cast systems, theologians will, if true seekers, dis- ' cover the lost Word—the Arcane Wisdom. Men will then flock to hear 1 the real glad tidings. There is little ' room for the sceptic and agnostic to- ; day, for he can easily discover enough ’ information to silence his ignorance. 1 I am, etc. OLD PAGAN.