The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-04-22
Regarding Moral Ideas


termine whether modern moral ideas
such as those of democracy and sci
ence are Christian it is necessary "to
distinguish between the inner spirit
of the churches" said Prof. f. S.
Ames OF the University of Chicago in
an address here today before the Con-
gress of Disciples of Christ Christ
ian Church). "Christianity is recog-
nizing the moral obligation of coopera-
ton and experiments in this direction.
The church founds schools. and when
the Kentucky legislature recently con-
Sidered prohibiting the teaching of
evolution many clergymen and other
Christians vigorously opposed the
measure"
Speaking of the moral courage re-
Guired by science, Prof. Ames said, "it
required real bravery to follow the
lead of the facts which showed that
the earth is round and not fiat, Just
as it demands conviction and fearless
ness now to express the opinion that
the present economic order is not lust,
that college football is an overdevel
oped and over CONNIE Realized sport
that cities are healthie, than the coun
try, that whales do not swallow JON
ais, and that the doctrine of the Trim
ity is nCn-essential cf the Christian
religion"
Prof. Ames asked if the world was
growing better or worse, continuing
that this question is t. be approached
in terms of modern science, democra
cy and the hunger Of this age
Science requires moral courage,
pati> >Hce, d.siltcres .e,ness and rever.
ence. Science has given men the cour
agr to overcome r,"ny fears-the
fea- cf Superstition, of tyrannous
authority, of certain diseases, and of
the doubts which lead to new expert
ments. The quacks and pretenders
and the incompetents are exposed to
intelligence tests. The world is still
in the process of creation.
democracy, too, has had it's heroes
and martyrs. The industrial revolu-
ton is still going on and it is achiev
ing the liberation of man from many
forms of drudgery. Ultimately it will
free the masses from economic want
if guided by the essential principle
of love and good will. The basis of
true democracy is respect for every
human being and the extension to him
of the rights Of man.
The third characteristic Of the age
is it's self-c0nsciousness. This involves
restlessness, criticism and more or
less cynicism. Novels like Main
Street and IF Winter Comes show
the confused cropping after improve
nent."
Are these morale ideals Christian ?
Jesus taught love for ones neighbor
and that is democratic idea 1t is
extending the suffrage and changing
the life of the laborer. The golden
rule is foundation stone of good
government.
at is not so obvious that the moral
ideal of scientific thinking is equally
Christian. But Christianity keeps re-
peatng the saying, 'Ye shall know the
truth and the truth will make you
free The acceptance of science re-
quires the reversal of some ideas
which have been very common in re-
lgion, for example, the depravity and
original sinfulness of man.
"The age has been restless under
conflicting scientific and social theo
ries but there are signs now of more
constructive tendency. Wells Outline
of History is good symptom. Philo-
sophers like John Dewey are begin
ming to feel that the age is moving, by
means of the scientific and democratic
spirit, toward the development of a
new poetry, new art and a new ex-
preston Of religion"