Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-24
PASTORS RENEW
WAR ON SUNDAY
MOVIE SHOWS
EVANGELICAL and Methodist
Ministers Associations Meet
to Plan Their Fight.

AZ
~. evangelical Ministers Association
buttons denouncing the moving pic
- man and declaring that the idea
- swing "philanthropic" shows On
s.,r5av is but a subterfuge, to be used
~ opening wedge for general vio-
's.;,r If the Sabbath, were unani-
.,,,,sIv adopted. The resolutions adopt
:. hr the Methodist ministers embod-
"a call for a meeting of the Atlanta
Stewards Association, when further
Sans 70 fight the Sunday picture shows
I'm hs formulated. The ministers de-
,,.5 that they were fighting for bluer
Sunday. ~
notion offered by DR.. Robinson,
,sa+ committee from the Evangelical
.ssocis.jon wait upon the city council
IA acnuaint that body with the action
,,lan this morning, was withdrawn
orsr DR.. John E. White, chairman of
the resolutions committee, said he
u.ould be personally responsible for the
snread ding of the tidings. The associa-
,ion voted unanimously to take no steps
f,r,her than the adoption of the reso-
,,yiors until another conference can be
bs15 with the moving picture men:
Resolutions Adopted.
The resolutions adopted by the
Evangelical Association follow:
First. That this association in pro-
testing against moving picture theaters
N Atlanta on Sunday is not seeking to
force upon the public any so-called
.nuritanical blue law prejudices' on the
subject of Sabbath observance, but are
resisting an organized combination OF
commercial enterprises, which is seek
ing to force upon the public peculiar
and alien customs of Sabbath violators
contrary to the established customs and
convictions of the people of Atlanta and
~ the South. We are meeting an ag-
grassive attack upon the Sabbath day
which is founded in the conscience and
civilization of Southern people as day
Of rest from labor and commercial ac-
tivities engaged in making money. In
law and In the religion of our people
our Ideals Of this day are fully con-
frned and established. We are pro-
testing against an innovation, which is
contrary TO the spirit and letter Of our
laws and subversive of a divinely or
dered institution ordained for mans
economic, moral and religious welfare.
Second. The Evangelical Ministers
Association has not made. and is not
making an attack on moving picture
shows az SUCH nor on the proper use Of
picture films and stereopticons for gen.
uine religious and educational purposes
1e ,hn nd
commercial philanthropic organi-
cations, Our protest is against the
movement of the motion picture thea
ters which have adopted a palpable
subterfuse under the guise of charity,
whose real aim and hope. as admitted
TO this committee by their spokesman,
Is 10 create a situation which may give
them an opportunity to make money
for themselves on the Sabbath day. We
also have reason to know that other
commercial enterprises of most doubt
ful character are in the background of
this movement, hoping with anxiety to
take advantage of the situation the
moving picture theaters may create in
Atlanta. The main argument presented
by the spokesman of the picture show
proprietors to your committee was that
they felt that they were being discrimi-
mated against because others were max
ing money in Atlanta Sunday. and THAI
they therefore ought to be allowed to
do also.
Thank Labor Bodies.
Third. The Evangelical Ministers
Association extends to the representa-
yves and members of the labor organi-
cations in Atlanta our appreciation of
lnelr sympathies, with our protest
against the opening wedge of Sunday
moving picture theaters as a danger
GUS movement against the laws of the
state and against the principles of
'ner organizations. which are seeking
IN every way to save the working man
us DAY of rest from toll We pledge
10 these labor organizations our earnest
support in every effort they may make
.o reduce Sunday labor genuinely with
IN the terms of the law.
Fourth. We are convinced by the
'idence in hand that this movement of
me picture show theaters to break
"o"n public sentiment in favor of Sab
oath violations is doomed to a natural
ana timely death. The great mass OF
me substantial citizenship of Atlanta is
nahltestly opposed to all efforts ia
o'Ihs about a condition in our city on
sundays that prevails in Jacksonville,
Heinphts and New Orleans There are
Uouotiess hundreds, and possibly thou
SANDS who have responded to the ex-
''ement of a questionable attendance
upon the picture theaters during the
past TWO Sundays, but the greater part
VI mem have no deep or abiding inter
ISL IN the movement A dwindling
pubic attention and attendance is the
Inevitable result in this city when the
real issues involved are understood by
-'lHeTs and mothers and good citizens
n"o appreciate the value and the sane
NY OF the Sabbath day free from such
puohc excitements. in which the ulti-
nate aim is selfish and dangerous to
,"s moral well being of the people We
'ieVe, therefore. that should the NOV
'ts plCTuTa Sbovr- r,vov,-;a+or- in