WAR-TIME MORALS SIR,—Dr. A. E. Moore is mistaken. The Founder
of Christianity condemned unchastity or promiscuity (" fornication ") in His teaching, and He specifically accepted the Jewish teaching on the same subject. There are no fewer than eleven references (all condemnatory) of the same practice in the New Testament, and the Church has always maintained the necessity of accepting the Master's standard on the subject. It does this with good reason: pre-marital unchastity has rightly always been recognised, not only by religious teachers, but by moralists the world over, as the prime enemy of a happy married life, on which civilisation is finally built. Dr. Moore, as a medical man, presumably must know its evil reactions on a harmonious outlook on life ; unchastity is probably the principal source of neurotic disorders in their various forms. Space prevents me stating at length the various reasons for this, although there is ample medical evidence on the subject, but Christian teaching (which is dogmatic) is in harmony with modem psychological thought.
The present weakening of sexual morality must be admitted, but the world war is only in part responsible for this. The evil was deep- seated before the outbreak of war, and the cause is undoubtedly the failure of our young generation to realise that finally religion is not based on an impracticable theological view of life, but i:. in truth a revelation of the way in which the laws of life operate in human conduct. Pre-marital chastity, and faithfulness in marriage, are not optional ; they are necessary to human happiness, and the solution of the present grave evils would appear only to be found in the recognition that Christ's way of life, on which our civilisation is based, is the foundation of all good living. This standard, though sometimes difficult to begin with, becomes increasingly easy with practice, and the discipline involved is a necessary part of the creation, not alone of Christian character, but of all good and happy living. All ripe experience confirms this fact, and Dr. Moore would probably admit that our present biological know- ledge does this also. On the other hand, history teaches us that the prelude to national decadence is always to be found in a failure to recognise the moral standards that ought to govern all life.—Yours
sincerely, ANGUS WATSON. Whitewell, Adderstone Crescent, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 2.
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