HC Deb 13 October 1942 vol 383 cc1499-500
65. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of recent pronouncements by His Majesty's Ambassadors to the United States of America and Spain, respectively, when the issues of the war were defined as the establishment of Christian civilisation and Christian brotherhood and, in view of the divergent attitudes to religion held by governments of the United Nations and the fact that millions of Jews, Hindus, Moslems, Rationalists and Atheists are engaged in prosecuting the war, he will indicate to representatives of His Majesty's Government that the war and peace aims of the United Nations should be expressed in the broad and generally accepted terms of the Atlantic Charter and not as the exclusive concern of Christianity or any particular body of religious faith?

Mr. Law

No, Sir. Though the Atlantic Charter remains the authoritative expression of the war aims of His Majesty's Government, I think my hon. Friend would admit that the Charter falls within the broad principles of Christianity, as would, I hope, any other aims to which His Majesty's Government subscribe.

Mr. Sorensen

Are we to take it, therefore, that missionaries are no longer required to take Christianity to the other nations who are fighting in this war; and, seeing that we state that the aims of the war are for Christian civilisation, is it not extremely incongruous that the majority who are fighting are not Christians?

Mr. Law

I do not think that those who are fighting on the side of the Allies, at any rate, would dissent from the proposition that they were fighting for principles for which Christian civilisation itself stands.

Earl Winterton

Is my hon. Friend aware that a number of leading Moslems in many countries, rightly or wrongly, have misunderstood this statement and also statements made by political and ecclesiastical heads in this country, and that it is very necessary to make clear to them that they are fighting for truth and God and not for any particular religion? Will my hon. Friend give an answer to that question? If not, I desire to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.