Trip to the Moon (1969)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Buzz_salutes_the_U.S._Flag.jpg

The ongoing trip around the moon and back of Artimis 2 got me wondering if the Canadian churches provided any commentary on the Apollo 11 moon landing on 20 July 1969. I did a quick search in a denominational paper and found an editorial and letter to the editor that provide a brief glimpse of opinion.[1] I did not have time to do more extensive searches, but I have little doubt there is more to be found by an intrepid researcher.
 
What is interesting is that the commentary reflects current awe and concerns.
 
The awe is no surprise. The Cold War was raging and the race to space and to the moon was a constant concern for both sides. The Russians won the race to put a satellite (Sputnik 1) in orbit in 1957, and America wanted to save face by getting the first person on the moon.
 
The awe was in the accomplishment, deemed to be a “magnificent achievement” and a “giant leap for mankind.” It was even seen to be a success that united humanity, if even for a few minutes.
 
The concern in the editorial was that people would not look to the creator of the moon and all creation but merely focus on the great accomplishment of humanity.
 
Another concern expressed in a letter to the editor was that the money could have been better spent on issues on earth, such as poverty.
 
The images I took of the denominational papers are clear enough to post, and I will let people read the papers themselves, knowing that such commentary in church newspapers was, for some, the major source of their weekly news. Enjoy! (click on image to enlarge)

[1] “Man’s Magnificent Achievement – God’s Greater Challenge,” Canadian Baptist, September 1969; John Mortimer, “Moon Travel,” Canadian Baptist, October 1969.