The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-12
BY JEROME DAVIS
Written Especially for The Times and
NEA Service


NEA Service
Russia is a great laboratory OF re-
ligious experimentation today. Hi
dreds of religious sects are Compel
ing for allegiance of the people and
all have to go up against the Lenln
cult and the worship of Communism
as a religion. =
Never since Christianity first was
struggling with the pagan patriotic
faith of Rome has it been so chal-
lenged as by Bolshevism.
Never before in the history of the
world has a great government con-
trolling one-siXth of the land sur
face of the earth proudly proclaimed
itself atheistic.
Today Russia is attempting to dis
place religion by science. 1t is not
only a negative but positive at
tack. They would not only Danish
the gods from the skies, but usher
in Communism on the earth.
Churches Stay Open
The Bolsheviks are too wise to
close churches. The metropolitan
bishop of Leningrad told me that no
Just criticism could be made against
the Bolsheviks for interfering with
the worship of God.
Indeed, he admitted that the Boil
sheviks encouraged the church to do
welfare work, some times even CIV
ing it financial aid. The various
Protestant missionaries accorded
high praise to much of the Bolshe-
vik policy.
Under the car they did not have
the right or organization. At pres
ent they are enjoying full freedom.
National religious conventions are
regularly held and converts are be-
ing numbered by the thousands.
There are also religious groups
such as Dukhobores, the Evangelical
Molokams, and the New Israels who
accept Communism while retaining
their faith in God.
New Laws Are Ininical
The Soviet government aided
these people TO return from exile in
Canada, the United States, and
South America.
Such friendship by the Soviet for
religion seems strange. What have
they done which might be consid-
cred hostile?
They have passed new laws. The
church is separated completely from
the state and the school from the
church. 1t is forbidden to teach re-
ligious doctrines in any educational
institution, public or private.
The Greek Orthodox faith, the
universal Russian church, has been
hit badly. Some say it is dying,
others that it is being revolutionized.
Everyone knows it is changing.
In the cities where the specula-
tors, the new rich, and the former
educated classes are beginning "to
come back" the services are
crowded.
In the villages there has been a
notable falling off in attendance.
The children as a group have de-
serted the religious services.
The children themselves seemed
to think it queer that an intelligent
individual could still believe in God.
They said, eff there is God, show
him to u.s." "Why do we need a
God?" 1--WE can raise wheat without
Him better than with Him."
Strict orders have been given that
the $4,000 teachers who are non
Communists shall refrain from
using religious propaganda in ne
schools. AS a result they sometimes
even fear to answer questions hon
eStly.-
In order to find out the govern
ment's attitude toward religion ]
interviewed the Atheist.
He has had long record of revo-
1utionary activity and now stands
very close to the powerful Com
munist leader, Stain.
Cites Three Factors
an the first place." he said, "all
ideas of God are pure superstittious
myths without scintilla of evil
dence behind them.
I'm the second place, religion has
been a kind of political agitator
lifting on the head of every >op-
r 'essed man with promises of fu-
ture happiness
I'm the third place, religion Is
always used as to tool by autocratic
power, whether czaristic or capital
istic. The priesthood and the min
listers always support the dominant
crowd.
May Be Church Boon
In this great clash between what
the Bolsheviks believe is scientific
truth versus "blind" belief, they are
so confident of the victory as to
affirm, There is no living God, re-
ligion is self-delusion; the truth
will finally emerge in the fires Of
Communistic criticism"
Christians will share this optim-
ism about the eventual triumph Of
truth, but to them God Is truth.
It is quite possible that the Boil
sheviks in fighting religion have
done the Russian church a greater
service in decade than the cars
autocracy did in substituting it fol
ten centuries.
Under persecution hypocrisy is
laid bare and sincere, devoted fol-
lowers Of the Christ are born:
TOMORROW: What Americans