A lesson in communication
Sir: In his article, 'A reply to my critics,' (7 June) Mr Ludovic Kennedy has com- municated to me, very successfully, that he is arrogant, much given to half-truths, and over-impetuous in making generalisa- tions from his own limited experience. The violence of his attack on the Church sug- gests also the possibility that he is suffering from guilt and fear. In spite of the unfortunate experience of compulsory attendance at school chapel, and the lack of regular attendance subse- quently, it appears from this article and the previous one (9 May) that a good deal has been communicated to Mr Kennedy by the Church in the course of his life: the trouble is not lack of communication, but that he has rejected what was communicated.
In his consideration of the raison deire of the Church, the arguments are almost too facile to deserve comment. He points out that good works are now done by non- denominational organisations like Oxfam and Shelter: has it not occurred to him that such organisations, however un- or non- denominational, are largely supported by the denominations—of which the Church of England is one? He suggests that we can propagate the teachings of Christ by Bible-
reading: can he not see that the Christian life needs more than factual knowledge? —a fact borne out by years of agreed sylla- bus teaching.
He roundly asserts that 'we are all a good deal less lonely, guilty and afraid than we were.' This may be true of himself and his immediate acquaintances; but how can he make such a general assertion? How does he account for the growing demands on the 'Samaritan' organisation, the growing inci- dence of mental illness, suicide, resort to drugs?
Mr Kennedy concludes by referring to the Church drowning in a sea of yawns and snores (a remarkable metaphor!): I have seen yawns in church, and on one occasion heard snores. But if Mr Kennedy could see and hear the yawns and snores around millions of television sets, he and other TV communicators might be a little more humble.
We have received an exceptionally -large number of letters on this topic: a selection will be published next week.—Editor, SPECTATOR.
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