Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume. 33, Number 10. 8 July, 1970
Attitude to other religious groups
Attitude to other religious groups
The attitude of the Exclusives towards other religions is generally arrogant and intolerant. The Church of England, Wesleyan, Methodist and Presbyterian churches are the least offensive; Jews and Roman Catholics are regarded with greater distaste as the Jews do not acknowledge the birth of Christ and Catholics worship the Virgin Mary. More serious deviants are sects such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientologists. Pagans are forgiveable if they have never had an opportunity to see the true light. But the Open Brethren or Plymouth Brethren are the worst offenders of all because they have seen the true light but have chosen to ignore it. They hold most of the beliefs of the Exclusives, but offer a far more relaxed type of religion that takes advantage of most worldly pleasures. Open Brethren, and other offshoots of the Exclusives, are very antagonistic to Exclusives, but anxious to hear all the latest edicts and draw to their side any ex-Exclusives. As many Open Brethren have relatives who are Exclusives, there is always a certain 'leakage' of information—to the Exclusives' chagrin.