Blasphemous Film
The film industry has been noted for its disregard of Biblical moral standards. However, the recent film, “The Last Temptation of Christ”, has reached an even lower degree of infamy in its blasphemous portrayal of the Saviour. It would appear that script writers of these films and-producers do not care how much they may shock the religious feelings of Christian people so long as the film gives good box-office returns. The storm raised in the United States against this film, and also in this country, is what one would expect where any Christian sentiment is retained. If the Director of Public Prosecutions sees his way to proscribe the film by giving warning of prosecution if the film were shown in this country, this would indeed be timely. Sad to say, the Film Censors have passed the film for showing. How low the nation has fallen when the showing of such a film would even be proposed. However, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. The sins of the land are reaching great heights. Where repentance does not follow then fearful judgments at the hand of God must be expected.
Sabbath Postal Deliveries
No area is sacred from the attacks of a godless generation. So far as the Sabbath is concerned large trading businesses are in the vanguard of opposition to the sanctity of God’s holy day, and regard the Sabbath as a day on which they may successfully pursue their secular business activities. The latest to join the list of Sabbath-breaking institutions is the Post Office with the proposal to introduce experimental deliveries of mail on Sabbath in the Tyne-Tees area of England. The boldness with which these proposals are put forward and conducted shows what ignorance prevails in the higher ranks of business management as to the claims of the Sabbath day. It is clear that the nation is rapidly declining into a pagan state. This move by the Post Office ought to be vigorously opposed by all who love the Sabbath day.
Ulster Killings
Following on the murder of eight soldiers in Northern Ireland, the Government has taken further steps to defeat the I.R.A. The Prime Minister indicated her resolve to defeat terrorism. The increased use of the S.A.S. for this purpose is to be welcomed as their clandestine operations do not expose them as sitting targets for the I.R.A. as other military operations do. The men of violence have to be brought down but this is not easy in a country where a section of the population and the Roman Catholic Church are sympathetic to their aims. The Protestant community has suffered much at the hands of the terrorists and it deserves the sympathy of right thinking people everywhere for the murderous attacks it has borne over many years. It is vain to look to man for deliverance in such a situation. It is the Lord alone who can deliver the people of Northern Ireland from the hands of their enemies and give not only temporal deliverance but also spiritual deliverance as well.
Buddhism in Britain
The false religion of Buddhism appears to be increasing its influence in Britain. Recently, Mr David Steele M.P. attended the inauguration of a new Buddhist temple erected at Eskdalemuir. Wearing the uniform of a Privy Councillor he unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the temple. While it is clear that M.P.’s tend to be all things to all men, surely the son of a former Church of Scotland Moderator could find better employment than encouraging the false worshippers of Buddha. The Buddhist order has also paid six million pounds for a country mansion in Buckinghamshire to further its cause. May the Lord in His mercy deliver our land from all false religion and from atheism as well.
Amnesty for Religious Prisoners
A Press report states that an official Soviet commission has called for an amnesty for the 200 religious prisoners in the Soviet Union and has petitioned the Praesidium of the Supreme Soviet to this effect. In view of certain changes taking place in Soviet policy, this proposal may have more hope of being entertained than formerly. It would be good if the Soviet state came to see the futility of religious persecution.
Baptism of Polygamists
The Lambeth Conference sanctioned this baptism of polygamists in African countries. In some parts of Africa this was already the practise of the Anglican Church. Certain conditions were laid down by the Conference in order to discourage taking additional wives but polygamists would not be required to put away any of their wives which they had already married before conversion. The reason given was because of the social deprivation those wives would suffer. It is clear that this is contrary to the Saviour’s teaching on marriage, but in high Anglican circles Scriptural teaching is so easily set aside.