Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-05-12

ing to know what is meant by the
affirmation of democracy that all
men are created equal This chal-
longing movement compels atten-
ton and demands solution. ....
"In what faith and with what
hope are we to face this problem ?
The Christian teaching concerning
the value of the individual as a
child of God consecrates human
relationships and develops fellow
ship devoid of the impulses of
rivalry and distrust. The recogni-
ton of the worth and dignity of
each individual, the value of each
human soul, freedom of conscience,
all are drawn from the Christian
revelation" 80.
"The Christian church alone can
generate the courage and provide
the guidance that is sorely needed.
Once the Christian doctrine of man
is rejected, the way is open for
mans exploitation of man, a merci-
less attitude on the part of the
strong toward the weak, savage
ruthlessness, degrading snobberies,
social confusion and racial war.
The basic assumption that one race
is inherently superior to all others
cannot be defended. No race is
superior or self-sufficient. God
created US not for independence but
interdependence. The divine law is
that we help ourselves by helping
others. 1t is not possible for US
to obscure the rights and claims
of other races without suffering
ourselves. To impair humanity at
one point is to impair it as a
whole"
"The injustices of the American
social order may not be dismissed
with a general statement. There
are acute and intricate problems
associated with them which if ap-
preached in an atmosphere poisoned
on the one hand by contempt and
on the other by resentment, may
easily be dangerous and explosive.
If, however, these problems are ap-
preached in an atmosphere of de-
termined good will and patience,
they can be solved :"
"The chief sin is nearly always
committed by the majority group,
but ofttimes better relationships are
delayed by bitterness in the heart
of the oppressed. Only the Chris
tian solution is adequate because
it eliminates the passions and pref
udices which again and again dis
rupt the human family. The whole
question of superiority and rights
can be resolved when, in the spirit
of Jesus, racial groups approach
each other motivated by respect,
trust and service" =.
at cannot be fairly denied that
the progress of the church in this
area has been slow. Some think
its attitude has been timid and con-
sentative but it is hardly possible
to imagine what the situation would
be had the church not proclaimed
the message of the rights of man as
a child of God. AS Christianity
spreads, the inequalities of man
grow less, and as the light of Christ
rises over the earth, more of free
dom, brotherhood and equality come
to His children"
"The final establishment of the
Kingdom of God will not come in
some sudden and dramatic fashion
because it is founded upon the in
destructible foundations of brother
ly good will. While waiting and
working for that better day we
must not make an armistice with
injustice and oppression. Christ
will the spirit of unity between
all peoples and calls upon His fol-
lowers to live as members of re-
deemed family which enfolds all
mankind. Our LOYALTY to Him must