HIS-Press-Service, 1977 (2. évfolyam, 5-8. szám)
1977-06-01 / 7. szám
HIS Press Service, June 1977 Page 6 These studies have earned a good reputation for the researchers on an international level. In speaking about them, the head of the team of researchers said: "They have indirectly aided in clarifying various general questions connected with the Marxian understanding of society." (Világosság, 1975/4) This team, whose concern was the sociology of religion and which was founded in 1960 within the framework of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, began a revolutionary (even on the international level) study of religious consciousness. According to the plan, which was set at 15 years in 1971 (Magyar Filozófiai Szemle, 1971/5-6), the aim of the research team is a study of the following topics: developing a scientific basis for church-political praxis, working out practical forms of upbringing in line with the materialistic philosophy of life which are applicable both within and outside of the schools, and discovering possibilities for practical cooperative efforts by believers and non-believers in building up socialism. The suggestions developed by the research team have already often been taken into consideration by the government in church-political decisions of the State, in a more differentiated atheistic propaganda, and in the dialogue between Christians and Marxists. The Concept of a Dialogue between Church and State It would net be correct to assert that an extensive dialogue has already begun in Hungary though important political and Church leaders have recently spoken about their ideas on this topic. János Kádár, the First Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers Party, said in "Some of the Experiences (Gathered) in Building Up Socialism in Hungary" (Népszabadság 23 January 1977): "We have learned that it is not only in difficult situations that one should look around for allies or appeal to the masses, but also at times when everything is going well ... Cooperation between persons holding differing philosophies of life is being achieved. This political cooperation has not forced the Party, however, to relinquish its Marxist-Leninist views. The complementary prerequisites (for such a mutual effort) are political cooperation with ones allies, theoretical discussions aimed at clarifying views and positions, solving problems openly while taking into consideration common interests, and a constructive exchange of ideas. Our patient political approach, which nevertheless remained true to its principles, has convinced even Church leaders of the importance of cooperative efforts. In addition to the fact that socialism's program also contains the essential interests of believers, it has acted as the basis for regulating Church-State relations in Hungary." György Aczél, Hungary's Vice Prime Minister, said in his article, "On the Socialist
