The Indianapolis times., 1930-04-28
Intolerance
Is Sign of
Ignorance
BY MARTHA LEE

Love does not wait on religious
persuasion, neither does it depend
upon religious creed"
Thus spoke a minister, who was
before an ecclesiastical court, be-
cause he had married a woman OF
faith different from that whose
teachings he upheld from the pulpit.
The outcome of the case has been
entirely gratifying to those who be-
lieve that religious tolerance is one
of the fundamental signs of Chris
tianity and civilization.
After several days of argument,
presentation of facts and a plea by
the minister himself, he has been
acquitted. He will be allowed to
retain his parish. And his wife may
continue to attend her own church
and still remain his wife, without
fear of retarding her husbands
career.
There is a worldwide lesson to
be learned from this case, which has
held front page space in newspapers
for the last few days. There also
is evidence, since it was a front
page story in every section of the
country, that people are becoming
more and more cognizant of the
fact that in order 20 have peace and
happiness, it is absolutely neces-
sary there be tolerance.
Intolerance is sign of ignor-
ance. 1t is sign of a lack of cuI-
ture. It is sign of an un-Christian
attitude.
In order to be tolerant one need
not take hands with all races and
nationalitieS. 1t is only necessary
to realize that all mankind has not
been cut off the same bolt of ma
terial and over the same pattern.
Why, the very fact that people
are different, have different ideas,
different ways of saying and doing
things makes life interesting. But
why the fact that two people have
different ways Of doing things
should prevent them falling in love
is more than one can understand.
And why, after they have fallen in
love, they should be requested, and
often commanded to fall OUT Of
love, is deeper mystery.
Many a real love match has been
relegated to the discard simply be-
cause the faiths of the two were
not identical. In these cases, it
usually is the interference of the
parents. And I have no doubt at all
but such as these have lost faith
much quicker than they ever would
have in having mate who said
prayers in other churches.
For those parents who still hold
that "miXed" marriages bring un-
happiness, it would be wise that they
guard against every pitfall by seeing
to it their children meet only young
people of their own faith
Because, as the pastor SC &ptly put
it, when he was defending his mar
riage before his jury of ecclesiastics.
love does not wait on religious per-
SuaSion.
1t probably is best If an agree
ment can be reached where religions
are apt to cause serious dissension.
because Of the fact that one or the
other of the parties are fanatically
intolerant. But, after all, every hui
man being has a right to his own
convictions regarding such matters.
If he can be persuaded to believe
another way, all very well.
But if he can not, why ruin his
life and happiness because he has
another way to worship God? And
why, above all, stone him with in
tolerance becuase he has been cut
from another pattern, off of a differ
ent bolt, than we have been?
If we would be Christians and in
telligent, we necessarily must be toll
Grant.