Bishop Pike Attacks Idolatry' of Church

Bishop James A. Pike of the Episcopal Diocese of California a crowd of over 250 in Agassiz Theatre last night that "idolatry has become the roadblock of Christian religion." Churches, he said, are attempting to become the God of man, instead of teaching man of God.

Pike said that the way to reform the church is to teach truth instead of making the church an instrument through which it is "the guardian of condemnation." Pike called for a church that would emphasize the "certainty of the closeness of God, to all individuals, be they Christian or non-sectarian." As of now, Pike thinks, the church acts as an organization which simply suppresses everything.

In an effort to create this feeling of the church's need to be close to its followers, Pike asked that the stage lights be turned out so that he "could look directly at the audience and see each one of you."

In answer to a question asked shortly after his speech, Pike said that he belived the university could fulfill a great need of the world to "gain greater insights into spiritual understanding."

The search for knowledge at the university, Pike believes, eventually provide the church with more knowledge. The concept of the Trinity in the Christian religion will be important today, Pike said, "if the church will start bring to the people and stop trying to be a successful generation." Jesus Christ, Pike said, "was a free man and he his own decision to be a Messiah and to be crucified. I believe Christ was an obedient servant of God, but obedient to his own free will."

Bishop John M. Burgess, suffragen bishop of Massachusets commented after the speech that Pike "said what needed to be said in these days." Rev. Frank Lewis, S.J. of Boston said, "If he means what I think he means to say, I don't agree with him, and understand why his recent statements have caused so much controversy."