The chaplains on the hospital ships, and those closest to the men in the trenches, who saw the carnage close at hand, had no illusions about World War 1. The further away from the actual action they were, however, the more ministers and priests glorified the war. War and religion! A new generation of historians is gradually coming to terms with this, highlighting, for example, the reconciliatory role of the early missionaries, and noting the turn, post World War 2, of the churches to a more critical and prophetic role. Until, however, the damage done to veracity and humanity by their religious rhetoric in World War 1 is openly recognised, the credibility of the churches will probably continue to dwindle.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 24, 2018 17:03 UTC