The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-12
Religious Freedom! Fewer Serious Complaints of Persecution Regis- tered in U. s. Lately-Catholics, Jews Suffer in Certain Localities = Divergent Views Held on
 Certain Matters.
Certain Matters.

That restraints upon religious ob- servance in the United States are slowly giving way to larger free- dom is the conclusion of survey of current and past restrictions just completed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Published today in a 48-page pamphlet entitled "Religi- ous Liberty in the United States To- day." 1t carries foreward endors- ing moves for religious tolerance signed by thirty-four prominent religious leaders, educators and edi- tors of various denominations in twelve states.
 Tn setting forth the present-day infringements on religious liberty, the survey calls attention to phases commonly neglected by defenders of democratic rights" Its announce cd object is Ito counteract the in- tolerances which restrict our religi- ous liberty outside the field of law and to win support for remedies in law or by court decision in achieving religious freedom"
 Fundamental Conflict
 "The fundamental struggle around which religious liberty is always fought the right to obey the dictates of God against the dictates of the state--is still in part with us, declare the signers of the pamphlet.
 While limitations upon religious freedom appear in the constitutions of many states, as yet freedom of religion has not been read into the 14th amendment guaranteeing citi- zens against oppressive state action, the study points out.
 Tn the light of court decisions, encroachments upon the religious rights of Americans are difficult, but attempts will doubtless be made in one state or another to violate them under pressure of local intolerance. Since he 14th amendment limits the powers of the states, 1t IS likely that future battles for religious liberty will be waged chiefly in the federal courts under It's clauses"
 Appraising restrictions on religious denominations the pamphlet states that "Anti-Catholic feeling, wide spread in many sections of the United States, still operates against candidates for public office who be- long to the Roman Catholic cof1l- munion, and, in sections Of the country against the appointment of Catholics as teachers in the public schools. Outside the issues raised by the public and parochial schools, these are the only restrictions upon freedom of religion for Catholics to- day in country overwhelmingly Protestant"
 Anti -semitism
 Discussing Jews in America, the survey points out that while anti- Semitism, intensified in recent years, restricts employment of Jews, their entrance to higher educational institutions and their appointment to public office, 1t has not taken the form of interference with their re- ligious practices"
 Of the minor sects, Jehovah's Wit. nesses doggedly resist interference with their right to distribute their literature, which has aroused Cath. olic and Jewish opposition in many parts of the country. According to the survey, scores of members of Jehovah's Witnesses have been ar- rested and their tracts confiscated.
 While Bible reading in the schools is accepted as Q matter of course through much of the United States, 1t is objected to as sectarian where there are many Catholic and Jew ish children, the study reveals. For children to be compelled to listen to Bible reading to which their par ents are opposed constitutes a de- nial of religious equality" Reli- gious instruction during school hours, outside the school building, has the combined endorsement and support of Protestant, Catholic and Jewish denominations, but is op- posed by the Freethinkers.
 As to the teaching of evolution in the schools. the survey reports that