The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-02-23

We. the undersigned individu-
ais OF the Protestant. Catholic
and Jewish faiths, viewing the
present catastrophe results of
Godlessness in the world and fac
ing the fact that our country il
at war, realize the necessity for
stressing those spiritual truths
which we hold in common. We
therefore affirm the following
fundamental religious beliefs. We
believe these convictions are i'm
portant to every religious person.
and are the spiritual foundation
OF our national life.
As Catholics, Jews and
Professionals, we assert again
our abiding loyalty To our re-
spective religious convictions.
We recognize differences Of
many important beliefs. The
following statement IA. there
fore, not a profession Of faith
In he considered sufficient or
complete by any Of M, hut an
expression NJ certain basic con-
victiops which we share.
We believe in one God. Creator
and Sustainer OF the Universe.
Though we have varying views as
to the nature and content of Gods
more direct revelation. we hold
that He also manifests His Being,
power, wisdom and love through
His works and especially in the
mind. will and personality of man.
We believe that the mind of
man reflects, though imperfectly,
the mind Of God. ~and we reject,
as a betrayal of human dignity,
all attempts to explain man in
merely material terms.
I'VE believe that Gods all
holy will II the ultimate sane
ton Of human morality and
that mans true freedom and
happiness depend on his obe-
dience to the will OF God rs
known to him. We reject all
deterministic interpreta tons
Of man and all reduction Of
his moral duties to mere Gus
tom or social adjustment.
we believe that recognition of
mans dependence upon God is es-
sential to the progress Of true
civilization; that nations. as we'll
as individuals are bound to ac-
knowledge this; and that educa-
ton or social theories which would
state mans duties. standards and
happiness without reference to
God are doomed TO failure.
we believe that Gods fatherly
providence extends equally to
every human being. We reject
theories Of race which affirm the
essential superiority of one racial
strain over another. We acknowl-
edge every man as our brother.
We respect and champion his in
alienable rights. and are deter
mined to do all in our power to
promote mans temporal and spir-
itusl welfare as necessary conse-
quences of our duty to God.
I'VE believe the republican form
of government to be the most de-
sirable for our nation and for
countries of similarly democratic
traditions. Any political forms.
however. can bring liberty and
happiness TO a society only when
moral and religious principles are
accepted and prscticed.
we believe. with the found
ers of this republic, that In
diyidual rights are an endow-
ment from God, and We re-
ject, As certain TO result In
the enslayement Of man, all
denisIs Of this principle"
Among prominent signers OF the
statement were:
DR.. Luther A. Weigle. president
of the Federal Council OF the
Churches OF Christ in America;
the Ri. Rev. Msgr. John A. Ryan,
Catholic University Of America:
DR.. Louis Finkelstein, president
of the Jewish Theological Sem
mary; DR.. Daniel A. Polling. presi-
dent OF international Christian
Endeavor; Father James NJ. ellis.
editor o. the Catholic World;
Rabbi Israel Goldstein. president
Of the Synagogue Council Of Amer
lea: DR.. Samuel NJ. Csvert. gen
mt thought to the biessin