The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1953-12-25

seven months survey of the effects
of war and communism on the worlds
religions for a book Harper's will
publish this fall. Among DR.. Bra
denis books are "The Worlds Re-
ligions," "Man's Quest for Saliva
tion." "These Also Believe" and
"Modern Tendencies in World Re-
ligions.'
Recently l concluded a journey
around the globe to study the eff
fects of war and Communism on the
religions of the world: Inevitably
formed many impressions not directly
related to the basic theme of the
book | am writing-and | am de-
lighted to share them with fellow
readers of THE PROGRESSIVE.
My first impression was relative
freedom with which | could discuss
Communism in every country | visit
ed save one-Iraq | found nowhere
anything like the near-hysteria so
common in America. | was eager to
discover how Communism was affect
ing religion in Japan, so one of my
first questions to the committee which
met me at the airport was: May
freely discuss Communism here? The
men looked at me in something APP
preaching open-mouthed wonder as
they replied, "Well, why not?"
Here was Japan, separated by only
a short sea barrier from Russia and
Chinese Communism, but there was
no Jittery fear among the people !
There was no lack of Communist
propaganda. Indeed, 80 policemen
were injured in Communist rioting in
Tokyo during my stay. Yet there was
a calmness on the part of the peo-
plea general feeling that Japan |
just wouldn't fall for Communism, |
that stood in sharp contrast to the |
state of mind in America. | found |
more concern about a possible re-
vival of the military control if re-
were forced upon them
than concern that Communism would |
triumph.
! found Formosa alert and ex-
tremely careful about admitting any
one who had come recently out of
China. This was natural enough in
the last stronghold of Free China
whose people had suffered so much
at Communist hands. But there was
no hysteria among any of the many
Free China leaders | interviewed,
u among the citizens generally as
net and talked with them. Even in
within shooting distance
II Communist China, exposed physic-
lily to invasion which could be car
led out successfully at will by the
Communists no one seemed at all
,anicky.
recall once in India talking with $
distinguished Hindu religious lead l
II about the Hindu attitude toward t
Certainly there is no t
ack of open propaganda for Com e
nunism all over India. | committed t
he indiscretion of saying to him: t
Isn't Hinduism rather complacent
n it's attitude toward Communism" v
knew Immediately that | should s
ever have used the word compla t
ent. At once he bridled. S
NO" he replied, 1--WE are not at c
II complacent about the matter, but t
re certainly are not insane about it =
ither," limiting by his tone that g
e thought Americans were. n
Even in Iran, which borders di- d
ectly on Russia, there was no evil q
ence of hysteria. There was con- Il
ern, certainly, among responsible q
,aders, but nothing more tense than u
lat. Only in Iraq, which had just
anged four Communists, did | not
nd people talking freely and frank e,
of Communism. n
Everywhere else, however, | was T
;ked constantly, "Why is America b.
} hysterical about Communism sc
A second impression was that, on B
lie whole, Communist propaganda til
I'd the advantage over that of the OF
zee world. The Red line seemed to 81
ach people more effectively. Com tn
unist printed matter-newspape st
agazines, pamphlets, books-was st
sale everywhere, often attractive ly
printed, and at ridiculously low er
ices. Evidently it was heavily sub pl
lized But also there were the NOV
4 IL 4 L | 4