Theological Society

Christmas and Easter Terms, 1972-73

The first meeting of the season was a tremendous success: the

Stephenson Room was packed with people wanting to hear Mr. Rigby,

Mr. Depledge, Mr. Daniel and Mr. Cummin talk about their own beliefs.

There was certainly a wide range; Mr. Rigby believing that this life's purpose was purely to prepare oneself for afterlife; Mr. Depledge being indifferent about the possibility of life after death, but believing that somebody can experience mundane hell or heaven by being out of harmony or in harmony with the essence of existence; Mr. Daniel believed that life was followed by no afterlife—he could not believe that such an abstraction as life after death could be the result of the end of organic existence; Mr. Cummin believed fully that there was a God at work in the Universe. He quoted from Marx who said it was clear that the history of the earth's economic structure could not have been as it was if man had controlled it alone—it was influenced by a force that strengthened its coherence. To him, the inspiration of man was evidence of God.

The second meeting had as its subject "A Modern Miracle"—Mr.

John Mitchell, of St. Olave's, gave a talk on Dorothy Kerren, the famous faith healer who was herself healed by faith—in 1911 she was stricken by diphtheria and had been bedridden for five years. Suddenly, after a fortnight in which she had been totally unconscious she was healed and found after several hours to be in perfect health by her twenty-eight doctors. Mr. Mitchell's fascinating talk left many utterly convinced that there is a God at work in the Universe.

The third meeting featured a talk by Brother Raphael, the Franciscan

Friar who was visiting the School. His talk gave insight into the running of a Friary and the nature of life lived there. He considered his personal life a paradox—while apparently opting out of society, he was really opting in, for by abandoning the ties that come with life in society (family, formal job for instance) he could be free to visit all ranges of people in society.

In January, 1973 the Hare Krishna consciousness group conducted a unique programme in the Memorial Hall. It began with chanting (designed to establish an awareness of the spiritual presence of God) and continued with a lecture by Rebatinandan Swami—an ex-American student who had become a sectional leader within this country's group. Starting in the

Asiatic countries, this religion has spread throughout Europe and America within six years. Principally, they believe that to maintain a consciousness of God is the supreme human profession; society has failed because people have forgotten and lost their real selves; without the soul the body is merely chemicals; true happiness cannot be achieved through material things, and that Spiritual life is finding what "yourself" is. After the lecture, the enormous audience sampled their vegetarian food— interesting!

The next meeting was on 9th March, and it featured a talk given by

Mr. Verma, of York University. He is a Hindu. Two very interesting facts were expressed—the Hindu's belief in pacifism, for they believe in 1.,Christ's words "Love thy neighbour as thyself", for the simple reason 19