The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-04-17
Analysis of Religious Prejudices
By Benedict Elder
Assistant to Chairman Of Knights Of Columbus Commission
Religious Prejudice
By Benedict ELDER

other fighting the Church because he
sees 1t is the strongest bulwark Of the
order Of society that he seeks to over
throw.
These two classes direct their ap.
peals to a third and exceedingly
numerous class, those who do not
understand the meaning of religious
liberty or who do not know the teach
ing of Catholicity as it affects society.
This third class is honestly and sin.
cerely prejudiced against the. church,
not hatefully or bitterly, however, but
as one normally is prejudiced against
anything when actually educated
against it from infancy-with a calm.
fixed prejudice, which, however deep,
does not exclude federation. Left
alone, this class would not harm Cath.
olics, socially, commercially or politi-
cally. It is prejudice against our
church. not against us; and against
the church as a religion, not as an Or
ganization. Considering their birth,
environment and training, considering
the unsearchable mysteries of our
holy faith, considering that even those
who walk with Christ" did not be-
lieve "by flesh and blood" but must
needs be given the great gift, it is not
unnatural for members of this class
to be prejudiced and to them their
prejudice seems altogether reasonable.
Hence, the distinction they make be-
tween the church and ourselves ap-
pears consistent with their viewpoint,
and it evidences a spirit of fairness
that does not go unappreciated.
So long as this distinction is made
we all live together in harmony and
peace, extending to one another that
liberty of belief and worship which
the constitution SO clearly prescribes
and which the American spirit of free.
dom and fair play so forcibly demands.
But when the other two classes come
along and spread about their scandal
GUS inventions, bitter feelings are
aroused and freedom and fair play are
forgotten. With the growth of these
exciting influences there arises kind
of effervescence of human passions in
which the dregs of human nature
work up to surface. Unless some
quieting influence be brought to coun-
teract this ferment it will steadily
grow more violent and finally it's con-
tent of base passions will boil over
like fiery crater, spreading blight
and disaster on everything around.
It is with this large class whose
members are sincere and honest that
the commission proposes to treat.
With this class we hold many things
in common-a Christian heritage, free
citizenship, love Of country, respect
for laws, desire for peace-which can
be secured, not by lies and false pre-
lenses, or scandalous writings and
shameless speech, but by honesty and
fair dealing alone. The sum of these
things form a common basis upon
which we can, and as sensible men,
must, preserve harmonious relations
among ourselves and prevent our chill
dren from growing up with bitterness
and hatred for one another in their
hearts.
The reason for this commissions ex.
istence lies in the firm conviction of
Catholics that this can be done, not
suddenly, of course, nor without great
painstaking and greater patience, but
nevertheless, certainly. This is not
to say that we expect or hope to blot
out prejudice in the hearts of men.
That antipathy toward Catholic teach
ing which is the very essence Of
Professionalism (as the name implies),
cannot be rooted out except by a
miracle of grace. But it is a far cry
from Professionalism to fanaticism. 1t
will be sad day for Professionalism
when it is carried away with fantati-
cism, aroused my materialists and
scoffers or by hypocrites who pose as
Christians while they strive with viii
LITIGATION and falsehood to stir up
strife among honest men.
Seriously rejecting Professionals do
not uphold these disturbers of the
peace. They do not consider it credit
able to themselves or to their religion
that such characters exploit their
venal mendacity under the false pre-
tense of advancing the cause of Prot
estantism. We have evidences of
this coming from all denominations
and from all sections of the country.
Nor is this attitude of thinking Pro.
testants at all surprising. Their re-
ligion teaches, as does our own, that
one of the great commandments is to
love our neighbor and it is libel on
all that is good in Professionalism fol
those who stir up bitterness and ex
citement by their scandalous inven
lions to couple their name with the
cause of any Christian belief.
With those who appraise the un
Christian and un-American character
Of these persons at its true value, we
can make common cause, to the end
that peace and friendship shall con
tinue to exist in all communities