The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-11-22


of the widespread lowering of sex
standards" including a large
amount of sexual delinquency In
volving young girls" the Federal
Council Of the Churches OF Christ
in America today appealed 10
"moulders Of public opinion" to join
in a nationwide remedial program.
Expressing the conviction that the
essential strength and well-being OF
the nation depend upon the home,
the Federal Council, which compris-
es Is national denominations with
a combined membership of 26,0OO, 900
calls for the ~uphoiding Of the high
est standards Of sex behavior as
a primary essential in the national
welfare.
Pointing out that millions of
American men and women are ull-
able to serve their country because
of the spread of venereal diseases
through sexual promiscuity and
commerciali7ed prostitution, the
statement called upon good citiz-
ems to press for the enforcement OF
laws against this treacherous evil"
Against military foes we spend
fabulous sums of money and mar
shall vast forces. We must face
the foe of venereal disease with
equal seriousness
It was proposed that those who
engage in commercialized prostitu-
ton be rehabilitated and assisted
to enter some form of service useful
to the nation.
The statement appealed to edu-
Gators, artists, authors. publishers,
the press, the motion picture indus
try, the broadcasting interests and
all other makers of public opinion,
to recognize with us great ma
tional responsibility for UNFOLDING
high standards of conduct in the
relations between the sexes"
It called upon parents and COM
munities to give special attention
to those teen-age girls in danger
of entering into promiscuous ways
or drifting into prostitution, and
urged also that men both in and
out of the service "be impressed
with their own responsibility fol
the increase of promiscuity AND
prostitution"
In conclusion, the statement
urged that understanding of fam
lily relationships and loyalty tt
family life so emphasized that ever
out of this world catastrophe Of
war, secure family life may emerge
as a firm foundation for the re.
building of the world
The complete text of the state
ment follows:
A far-seeing love of country de
man6s that we keep home tie
strong. Upon these the essentia
strength and well-being of the ma
ton depend. The Christian church
regarding marriage as sacred ant
human personality as a creation o
God, has always stood for the high
est standards in the relationship
of nen and women. We therefor
set ourselves against the wide
spread lowering of standards of Sc
behavior as degradation OF humal
personality and a threat to tn
American home.
The home is the heart and es
sense of America. Happy marie
companionship and poys Of parent
hood and family affection are nor
NAL outgrowths of the sexual driv
guided and enriched by spiritual al
lection. But the misuse of sex
one Of the greatest causes Of indi
vidual disaster, family disintegra
ton and social corruption. It is c
supreme Importance, therefore, tfs
this part Of human nature shoul
be thought of on level of under
standing and reverence rather tina
upon the level of irresponsible graf
iflcation or exploitation.
The home, the church, and tn
school should see to it that childre
and young people receive sound Sc
instruction and character trainin,
Especially is it necessary that yout
should have right teaching and goo
example from those who are NOR
mature. If the life of adults is 6
loose ends that of children Is SUI
to be disturbed.
We note the wide prevalence OF
"last fling" philosophy Of graspin