The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-22

Q-Whst is meant by the term
Conservative Judaism2
A-ConServative Judaism is one
of the three main branches Of
Judaism in America. the other
two being Orthodoxy and Reform.
1t stands for the maintenance Of
Jewish tradition in its historic
continuity, loyalty to tradition
through observance OF the Sab
bath and the dietary laws, the
preservation of hope for IsraelS
restoration, maintenance of the
traditional character of the litur-
gy, use Of Hebrew as the language
of prayer, the fostering of reh-
gious life in the home, the study
of the Hebrew language and liter
allure as the key TO the true un-
derstanding of Judaism and as a
bond holding together the scat
tered communities of Israel"
Conservative Judaism differs from
Reform Judaism in that it rec
ogniZeS as authoritative many
principles and observances hal
lowed by script. code or custom.
1t departs from Orthodoxy in
that it recognizes the principle
of development and the fact that
laws and practices vary in the eX-
tent to which they are to be re-
garded as vital and essential to
Jewish life" The United Syna-
gogue is the federation Of Con-
sentative synagogS
Q-What is the attitude of Cath
olics toward Father Coughlin?
Am eminent Catholic priest
answers AS follows: The social
teaching of the Catholic Church
is concerned with principles rather
than detailed programs 1t dis
sentS on the one hand from mere
economic individualism by insist
ing that economic problems are
ultimately related to ethics and
religion. and that society has the
duty of helping all its members to
gain a decent livelihood. 1t is OPP
posed on the other hand to any
form of the absolute state. since it
uphoidS. within limits, the rights
of private property, and in general
regards the state as existing for
the good Of its members, rather
than vice-versa. In the concrete
application of these principles.
however, Catholics differ Many
believe that in such matters as
the reconciliation of silver, the
payment of the soldiers bonus,
and opposition to the World
Court, Father Coughlins opinions
can find no support in Catholic
principles. Other Catholics, like
many non-CatholicS, more or less
thoroughly agree with Father
Coughlin. 1t is important to note,
however, that he is in no sense
speaking as an official representa-
tive of the Catholic Church.
GA Honolulu (HaWaiD Buddhist
asks: What attitude does the aver
age Jew and the average Christian
have toward a follower of the
A-The average American Jew
or Christian practically never sees
a Buddhist and so is scarcely con-
scious toward followers of the
Buddha. If an average Jew were
questioned he would doubtless
readily acknowledge religious
truths and values in all other re-
ligionS. He would hold that Juda-
ism contains certain ethical and
spiritual inSights constituting a
message for the world; but he
would not attempt to proselytize
and would live in religious peace
with BuddhistS The average
Christian would acknowledge the
charm and loftiness of Buddha'S
personality. the value in much Of
his moral teaching, and the range
of philosOphic thought stimulated
by him. But he would doubtless
take the position that Christianity
is unique and superior to Bud
dhism to such a degre that it
should be superseded entirely.
Christian enlistment would invlove
complete remuneration of former
religious allegiance since Ito this
average opinion) Buddhism con-
tains no unique and permanently
needed values.