Red-faced, not Red-minded

"There is no denying the fact that the social ideals of Communism bear a striking resemblance to the social emphasis of the Christian gospel. ..."

If these sentiments had been expressed by some left-wing religious leader like Dr. Hewlett Johnson, the "Red Dean" of Canterbury, no one would have been much surprised. But they happened to be part of a committee report to the Toronto and Kingston Synod of the notably conservative Presbyterian Church in Canada. The committee took pains to make its sentiments clear:

"Russia's amazing achievements in the war . . . have proved that there is within Communism a spiritual, as well as an economic power. ... If Russia . . . has succeeded in removing forever the idle men from the market place, then we should discover her secret. If she has established justice between man and man; given cake to none and bread to all ... then let us take off our hats to her."

The Synod (either taken by surprise or not paying strict attention) approved the report without a dissenting vote. Next day, finding itself clutched to the editorial bosom of the left-wing press, the Synod rubbed its eyes and sat up. Much of Canada's press spluttered with indignant denunciations. Last week a red-faced Synod spokesman explained emphatically that Canadian Presbyterians are not red-minded. The controversial passage had not appeared in the official copy, said he, but had been interpolated during the reading by an overenthusiastic chairman.

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