Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-11-29
Amana society case Afflrmed.

Amana Society Case Affirmed.
Definition OF religion and discus
sion of what constitutes religious
society, constitutes an important and
interesting part of the decision which
was handed down by the Iowa SUI
preme court In which the standing
or the ,Amana society as religious
community is indicated, and the de-
cislon OF the lower court dismissing
the action praying the dissolution OF
the corporation and the forfeiture or
the privileges enjoyed by 1t ia at.
tirmed.
The case came from Iowa county,
where II was tried before Judge o.
A. Byington about q year ago. IL
was brought by the state OF Iowa on
complaint OF Martha Wilson, who al.
legged that, though incorporated as
religious organization, the society, In
violation of It's charter rights, engaged
In agricultural pursuits and In busi-
ness and manufacturing enterprises
for financial gain.
The questions chiefly confronting
is religion?" and second, "Is the prop
erty OF this society used for religious
purposesT
The attorney general, in presenting
his argument on the appeal from the
lower court, laid down the Issue fairly
In his definition OF religion. He says,
Religion pertains to the spiritual be-
lief and welfare of man as distinct
from his physical wants and necessi-
ties. IL relates to the ethics OF life.
to hope and belief In Immortality.
Secular pursuits, on the other
hand, and those pertaining to the ma
terial and physical wants OF man are
clearly distinct from things spiritual
and holy. They relate to temporal as
distinct from holy interests; not im-
mediately or primarily rescepting the
soul, but the body"
The attorney general based mis- ar
gument on this ground, to the effect
that the Amana society was not purely
religious body. as Incorporated.
In It's answer to this definition the
decision Of the court says that while
the statement OF the attorney general
may perhaps be theoretically correct,
the practical and religious cannot be
so easily divorced In every day life
"The anticipated advantages OF
nearly every religion or creed are
made dependant In the life It's ioi-
lowers live and the criticisms oftenest
heard are that the exalted doctrines
or righteousness professed are too
frequently forgotten In the ordinary
pursuits OF life and that the contests
for wealth, In some circles. are waged
with the capacity OF beasts of prey.
| Surely scheme of life designed to
obvlate such results and. by removing
temptation and all Inducements of am.
billion and avarlce. to nurture the ylr-
tues OF unselfishness, patience. love
, and service ought not to BIO denounced
MS not pertaining TO religion when its
deotees regarded It as an essential
tenet Of their religious faith"
The court holds that the Amana So
ciety Is founded for such purpose as
outlined. finds that no speculation ia
permitted In It's real estate transac1
ton, and that there Is no effort to
secure an income greater than tha
needs Of the organization.
II discounts the argument that snch,
q communal settlement Is dangerous
to American Ideals and politics and In
| conclusion holds that the society has
not exceeded Its powers as a religious
corporation and afIlrms the decision
OF the lower court.