The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-24
CHRISTIANS AND THEIR
CHRISTIANITY
BY N. ID. Cochran

In reading over a page of essential extracts from
Sunday sermons find several references to the poll
recently taken by number of newspapers, in which
certain questions submitted for
While this, poll showed overwhelming belief in
God and that great majority CT the people had been
reared in religious homes, it also showed that not
nearly many regularly affiliated with any
church conducted family worship.
Probably the best expression Of opinion
across was in sermon by Lutheran preacher who
said that the returns of the religious disclosed
mot the failure Of Christianity but the failure of Chris
tians."
A Methodist preacher said: 1.-THE figures resulting
from this poll say very strange things. They say
that the heart of the majority of people
relgiousy inclined. And the strange thing which
these figures indicate is that while great majority
Of these people still believe in God Immortality prayer
Christ and the Bible the majority vitality
connected with any church and do attend church
regularly. This is confusing when find that
the majority were brought up in the church rel
gious homes and say that they would not like to live
in a community where there churches"
think the Lutheran preacher answered the
question There is nothing wrong with Christianity
but htere is something wrong with Christians;
cannot speak for other human being earth but
1 can speak for myself I raised in a religious
home. 1t was a Methodist home. 1 attended church.
Sunday school and camp meeting; and had family
prayer have never lost my belief in the Christianity
of Christ the best philosophy of life offered to
humanity stll read, FOR my own satisfaction, the
New Testament but reconcile the Christianity
or Christ with of the stories oppression
cruelty and hate find in the Old Testament
1 can't reconcile with Christianity the late World
war in which various Christian nations fought each
other to the DEATH and Christian governments taught
their soldiers to hate and to kill the boys of other
Christian governments. And was not pacfst; for
grew as patriotic and crazy with hatred as most
Americans did during the frenzed historical orgy
or hatred and murder when all rallied round the
flag.
But never lost my faith in the Christianity of
christ ana His Gospel of love- believe that there is
nothing really the matter with my Christianity but
that there is something the matter with Chris
uanlty OF some of the preachers who are preaching
the gospel Of love and practcng the gospel of hate
Anyhow, do know that have developed an an
aiding as Christian ministers. SO much ignorance is
displayed by some Of them in their efforts however
sincere to preach gospel they evidently don't under
stand that haven't the patience listen to them If
could be assured that would hear preached the un.
denied gospel of Jesus Christ would go to church.
and gladly. But won't my time listening to
some half-educated sap who doesn't know what he is
talking about and who thinks his mission on earth is
to hit everybody over the head with a policeman a
club who doesn't take a view of the Chris
tianity of Christ as he does
The church in which l was born and raised will
not get me back until its ministers get of politics
and back to Christianity And l won't go to church
until am satisfied that the pulpit will not be occu-
pied by hired political reformer who his living
out OF the AntiSaloon League lobbyist of big bust
ness.