Evening star., 1948-11-22
Communism
Continued From First Page)

what it has already done elsewhere
and has said it will do here at the
first opportunity"
If Communism should come to the
church,
You would have to choose at once
between church and communism
If you should choose the church
then prepare for persecution.
What would the Communists d.
to churches and synagogues?
Take them over and put an enc
to the freedom now guaranteed by
Sentence One, Article One in the
Bill of Rights of the Constitution
Would the Communists destroy
the Bible?
Every copy they could find. And
they would Jail anybody trying tc
print new copies.
Could be married In the church:
Not legally.
Gould my funeral be held in the
church? a,-s~
Not legally.
Could my child be baptized os
christened in the church?
At the risk of prison for parent
and pastor.
Would my child 80 to Sunday
school?
Not only would Sunday school be
illegal, but also your child would
be taught to report you to the police
for trying to send him.
State Would Own Churches.
How would my child learn his re-
ligion, then?
Only through what you might tell
him at home, to Offset the positive
atheism he would learn all week 1t
the government school.
Could give money to the
church?
Yes, If the Communist system
would allow you any; but then
most OF 1t would go for staggeringly
high taxes, rent, and other fees
charged by the government to dis
courage church operations. Any
thing left could go to feed the
preacher, who would be little better
of than a beggar, anyhow.
Who would own the churches?
Under Communism, churches
and synagogues could no longer
own their own property. free, clear
and untouchable, as they do in the
United States today. Church prop
erty would become government
property. Congregations could only
use such small rooms or buildings
as the government might license to
them on concession.
The fees and charges for this
would be heavy and all use would
be subject to strict Communist
control. review and supervision.
How about my own church-go-
ing?
You could try on your own time
if the Government happened at the
time to let you off work on holy
day. Otherwise, only at night,
when and If you got the chance.
Would I be allowed time of for
religious holidays and celebrations
as now?
Not a chance.
Could 1 help, out with church
charities and welfare work?
There wouldn't be any. All church
schools, hospitals, orphanages, asy-
lums and such things would be
seized by the Government. Religion
would be denied any say in their
use or management.
What about missionary work?
Illegal. Forbidden.
How about my church mems club,
ladies aid society, or young peoples
group?
Out. There is no freedom Of as
sembly under communism.
Seen as Rival for Power.
What could my pastor do?
In the pulpit, he could lead the
congregation in acts of faith and
deliver sermons, with the Commu-
nists checking on every word.
Out of the pulpit, he would be an
official target for abuse, ridicule and
scorn, under constant suspicion, and
in danger of his life.
Why?
In him, the Communists see a
rival to their power over your mind
| Imagination and will. The faith
your pastor taches Is communism S
deadliest enemy.
What about Russia?
Let's flash back. The number o1
congregations has dropped since
1917 by more than rs per cent. That
any have remained at all is q
triumph of survivsI against, relent.
less, cruel and powerful persecution
Is the Roman Catholic Church
restored in RussiN?
In no way. sOne priest is allowed
to stay in Moscow for the benefit
of foreigners there, but the church
is entirely shut of from the pee-
pie of the country as whole.
How about the Jews?
The same. Hebrew, the sacred