Evening star., 1942-02-14

Churches, asserted that religion is VI
because it is divisive in . world
that desperately wants unity.
He pointed out that religion is
set over against a group Of pseudo
religions which are dynamic and are
winning many converts from the old
established faiths. "
The representatives OF Judaism
and Christianity have been losing
the battle, he said, because they have
been concentrating on their differ
ences instead of the things they hold
in common.
The appeal for religious co-opera-
ton came on the eve of the opening
of Brotherhood Week which will be
observed February 1922 under the
auspices Of Protestant. Catholic and
Jewish groups in : communities
throughout the country. The pur-
pose of Brotherhood Week Is to en-
courage cooperation among men,
bers OF the three faiths and to COM
bat prejudice and intolerance.
Agreements Stressed.
Leaders of the Brotherhood Week
observance are aware that In the
effort to uphold the right of free
dom Of religion and the right of
all individuals to express their full
faith there has been a tendency to
place the emphasis upon differences
and freedom to maintain these diff
ferences. This. they feel has. dis
tracted attention from the areas Of
agreement among PrOteStantS,
Catholics and Jews.
Because America is at war and
in view Of attempts being made to
divide Americans along the lines
OF race and religion these leaders
believe it to be highly important,
however, that a statement be made
at this time emphasizing religious
beliefs that are held in common by
Americans of all three faiths.
They have accordingly circulated
in many hundreds of American COM
munities a declaration of funda-
mental religious beliefs shared by
Protestants, Catholics and Jews.
This statement is the first Of its
kind in the Nations history. 1t has
been signed by leaders of the three
faiths in each community and will
be made public tomorrow, the OPEN
ing of Brotherhood Week.
The statement is careful to ex-
plain that it Is not intended to set
forth the complete faith of any of
the signers and specifically affirms
the loyalty Of each signer to the
beliefs of the group to which he
belongs.
This statement. observers believe,
may inaugurate a new phase in the
movement for amity and co-opera-
ton among ProtestantS, Catholics
and Jews-an emphasis upon agree
ments to balance proper emphasis
upon the right to differ.
Missionary Advance Predicted.
The greatest missionary advance
in the history of Christianity fol-
lowing the present war was pre-
dicted this week by two Presbyterian
leaders recently returned from a
six-month tour Of mission fields in
Hawaii, the Philippines, Thailand,
India and French West Africa.
The two churchmen are DR.. Phil
lips Packer Elliot of Brooklyn, N.
Y. and DR.. Charles T. Leber, Sec
retary of the Board of Foreign Mis-
sions of the Presbyterian Church,
U. S. A.
They said that native Christians
are taking the lead ir this advance
and are setting the world an exam
pie Of INSTRUMENTATION unity,
which the American church must
follow or die"
Both leaders reported a new spirit
Of religious unity and cooperation
In India. stressing the increasing
good will and tolerance among
Sikhs, Mohammedans and Chris
tians.
Foreign Notes.
The Nazis have found a new way
to circumvent the influence of Nor
wegian bishops who oppose German
domination of their country.
Instead of issuing orders to clergy
men in the normal manner
through the bishops-the Quislingite
Department of Ecclesiastical Affairs
now issues its regulations direct to
the ministers themselves.
When the bishops registered a
protest they were informed that in
the future church affairs will be
conducted without the advice of
church leaders.
The Catholic clergy in Zagreb,
Croatia, are reported to be wearing
the six-pointed Jewish star on their
coat sleeves as a means of protest