The Labor enquirer., 1886-03-20
THE CHURCH AND SOCIALISM.
A Truthful and Sensible Look at the
Causes of Their An-
tagonism.

every denomination Sermons, discourses
and essays OF, Socialism bv prominent
preachers are now getting to be quite
common, and notwithstanding many OF
them-as reported In the newspapers
are sorry attempts to clear the public
mind of prejudices already formed, and
but Indifferent expositions of Soc1alistic
principles, yet they show a disposition
upon the part of the clergy to no longer
ignore questions which are pressing
themselves to the front, and which must
soon be settlel. This evidence of inter-
est in radical IDEAS by prominent public
instructors VIC regard with satisfaction,
for we feel certain tnat the public, once
aroused to their Importance, will speedily
grasp our ideas and seek solution of
these burning questions. >...-.
1t has been stated. by church people
that the attitude of Socialists toward the
church has been artagonistic that we
are unbelievers and atheists, scoffers at
religion and btasphemers that we omit
no opportunity to ridieule clergYmen
and those wha attend church services.
We are also charged with ridicullng
their attempts to better the condition of
the masses ty doing out aims, by char.
liable organizations, and bv preaching
confluence, frugality and thrift.
That most Socialists are free-thinkers,
and antagonizs the modern church, we
will not deny, That they are prone
to ridicule clergyman and congregation
is also true, and perhaps not wholly
without reason. That true Socialists
look with contempt upon all schemes for
improving the condition of the masses
under the present social and industrial
systems is quite certain, since :ese so
called palliativee of social evils are but
the bulwarks Of an unnatural and unjust
system.
Let us find &. reason for this enmity of
Socialists to tile church. We shall not
have to seek far.
For more than 1000 years the church
has been conservative force. 1t has
always opposed new ideas that we're not
in accord with its own doctrines. 1t has
opposed progress. 1t has set itself in op-
position to the irresistible march of sci
ence, art and philosophy. 1t is just as
conservative now as it has been in the
past. Ancient dogmas and customs oi
former ages are only set aside when it is
found that they cannot longer serve
their ends. The doctrines of infant
damnation and vefitable lake of fire
and birthstone for the ungodlv have only
yielded to the growing intelligence and
humanity of the great mass of people
outside the church, brought about by
heretics and unbelieYers.
No institution which clings with death
like teracity to old customs and worn
out creeds car be expected to welcome
new and progressive ideas therefore it
is not strange that the church should
have fought against Socialism so bitterly
and determinedly, nor that it should still
seek to crush out movement of this
nature; for Socialism is opposed to
nearly everything Which the church up.
holds, The latter Is the bulwark-nay,
the very foun1ation-of society as at
present organised. 1t is the chief sup
porter of the laws of Ehe land. 1t is the
fortifcation of capital, and owes its very
existence-speaking materially to the
wealthy classes. The church fosters AID
affects to guide our commercial system,
faVors rent, interest, and private owner
ship in the mesns of flife. Socialism on
the other Misunderstanding Socialism
is an uncompromising foe to all privilege,
would abolish rent, interest, commercial
greed, and private ownership of the
means of life, Socialism is direct
enemy of nearly all that modern bour-
geoise society holds dear. Laws, customs,
prejudices must give vav, and nothing
short of an entire remodeling of society
will satisfy the demands of the true So
cialist.
Here, then, is partial reason for the
antagonism>of Socialists to the church.
But there Is another, more personal
reason. Socialists are but human, and
it is human nature to retaliate upon a
foe. Even Christians do not usually
turn the other cheek" to receive a blow.
Surely we should look for moderation
and federation among the followers of
the humble Jesus. If not, then where
shall we find these virtues? But it is
fact which cannot be disputed that the
clergy and members of the Christian
church have ever been the foremost in
denunciation of the Socialists. Their
contempt and hatred have been mani.
ested in choict, epithet, in false accus :
tlons, in misrepresentation, and in cries
for our e1tirpation. / once heard a
minister of the gospel of the mild Jesus