Hungarian Church Press, 1968 (20. évfolyam, 2. szám)

1968-06-01 / 2. szám

HCP Vol XX Special Number

1968 No 2- 160 -(07941)

state of armed preparedness# Hence disarmament and all steps in the direction of reducing and limiting armaments may significantly contribute to the effort of creating an atmosphere of mutual confidence in the international realm«

There are some other considerations which might help us to understand and resolve the complex problem of mutual trust» Disarmament ean only be accomplished by stages# We have reason to suppose that the successful completion of a stage will generate that measure of mutual confidence which will be enough for making the next step» Effective controls are important for they may reduce the area in which mutual confidence is the only foundation to build upon« (We speak only of controlling the steps specified in the eventual agreements; any additional aontrols would hardly be conducive to mutual confidence)# Moreover) the partners may possibly find ih every successive stage some speoific measure of -which it can be assumed that it is in the interests of both partners, or involves relatively leBs risk for both partner s)o

7) At last, we must emphasize the significance of public opinion* Since there are no absolutely insurmountable technical, economic or legal obstacles in the way of disarmament, its realization is a task of primarily political nature» Prom this we make now orily this inference: just as in all political matters, thus in the matter of disarmament also, the voice of public opinion is very significant* iW this reason, one of the important ports of the exertions in the interests of disarmament is the task of shaping public opinion. This task, it seems, will have to be discharged in two directions# First, one of the main obstacles to the progress of disarmament today is in the field of volitional factors# Significant circles of politics, science and publio opinion do not yet consider the cause of disarmament as a task which must be done and as a goal to be reached by all means# Hence further progress calls for the effort to impress on public opinion, on those making political plans and launching political ideas, the absolute necessity of disarmament# Only by doing this can we effectively work toward the solution of the undoubtedly complex and difficult problems which the task of disarmament poses to us, and this is also the way of ensuring the beneficent pressure of public opinion to further the progress towards the ultimate goal which is a world without arms*

The néw international ethos can only be infolded and made strike deep roots if its requirements permeate public opinion* Both the shaping of the adult minds and the education of youth on this matter are needed# It is only in this way that mankind will be oapable of the moral exertion which is required to build op a just and peaceful world order#

g) The Task of the Churches

What is the bask of the churches concerning the cause of disarmament? This question raises all the problems which concern the peace service of Christianity#