The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-08-19
RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE

vile C6urier-Journal 1t was written
before the infuriated Methodists
preacher at Birmingham, Ala, shot
and killed the Catholic priest for ofiici-
ating at a marriage uniting his daugh-
ter to a member of the Catholic
church.
It is inconceivable why there should
be SO much intolerance among relig-
ious denominations in this country
where every one is supposed to have
perfect freedom in worshiping God
according to the dictates of his own
conscience and especially as the
Good Book" says: Behold, how good
and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity"
The question is a most puzzling one
for the world to solve when the church
itself should set the example of char
ity one towards another. Let us hope
that it will not always be SO.
The Courier Journal says:
Judea gave the world religion-the
concept of unity in the Godhead.
Greece gave the world philosophy
"all philosophers are disciples either
of Plato or of Aristotle
Rome gave the world institutional
ism.
Spain inherited, and in the days of
its power, illustrated the Roman idea
of dominion.
France gave the world sense of
beauty unexcelled since Attic days.
England gave the world a concep-
ton of orderly liberty wisely regu-
lated by law
What distinct contribution has
America made to the world civiliza-
ton?
Popular education? In sense,
yes. The democratic ideal that RE-
spects not merely what is thought to
be respectable but only what is re-
spectable?" In sense, yes. Other
things thought to be peculiarly Amer
lean may come to mind.
Americas unique contribution to
the net sum of human progress. how
ever, is religious tolerence
The first amendment to the Ameri-
can Constitution had this point in
view.
Jefferson enforced the idea in his
fight to disestablish the church of
England in the State of Virginia
On his tombstone, his epitapth, writ
ten by himself, includes the statute
of religious liberty in Virginia., as
one of the three things he wished to
be known as the author of, the two
others being the Declaration of In
dependence and the University of vir-
ginia.
Is this precious deposit of Ameri-
can faith religious tolerence being
properly safeguarded?
Are Americans as religiously toll
erent as once they were, or as men
like Thomas Jefferson would have
them be?
Not religiously liberal but relig-
iously "tolerent?"
The American boast is that Jew.
Catholic or Protestant may, in Amer
lea, profess and practice without re-
straint or criticism the religious faith
that pleases his conscience.
Is the boast justified by fact?
Propaganda aspersing various re-
ligious faiths is abroad in the United
States.
Basically, the purpose Of this prop
uganda is political
Through religious prejudice certain
vicious men seek horsepower at
the expense and sacrifice of America
institutions and in clear violation Of
the constitution of the United States
each American citizen is obliged to
obey and defend.
The point needs not be either ar
CURED or demonstrated 1t is recog-
nized by all soberminded Americans.
The thing to do is to reason with
it promptly and intelligentIy.
Enemies Of the American spirit Of |
religious tolerence work coyertly.
Friends of American institutions
and Of American laws. to combat sue
cessfully this insidious propaganda,
- =.