Evening star., 1947-02-20
Infer-Faith Committee
Urqed in Alexandra
Social Survey Report
By Robert c. RoIIinqs

Organization on an inter-faith
committee in Alexandria Is recon-
mended by the religious relations
section of a social survey report re-
leased today by the Council of So
cia1 Agencies.
Comprising two clerical and one
lay representative from each of the
three major religious groups
Roman Catholic, Protestant and
Jewish-the inter-faith committee
would have the following as its chief
functions:
/. Reduction Of Misrepresentation
of one faith by another and assist
ing informally, all church and syn
agogue projects in inter-faith edu-
cation.
2. Preview of all community well
fare projects of an inter-faith scope
and co.. ordination of joint action
among faiths.
The report finds that the three
major religious groups suffered
some misunde defStal1dings in the past
which led to q stalemate In their
relationships. >"
This situation developed in part
out of a confusion of the two areas
of faith and order and life and
work. andain part out of an un-
conscious tendency of the Protestant
majority in the community to domi-
nate policy and projects Of inter-
faith scope" :"
Lack of Proper Agency Cited.
Both of these misunderstanding
developed, the report states, not
from any deliberate religious ami
mostly, but largely from the lack
of proper agency through which
to clear such issues.
There is every reason to believe
that with joint recognition of this
fact, the religious groups in Alex
andria are now prepared to de-
velop a proper relationship and
move together on matters of le-
gitimate inter-faith nature"
Suggestions for Planning Offered.
Another recommendation is that
co-ordinated project for extend
ing community relationships of the
three religious groups be developed
through the Inter-Faith Committee
and that the following suggestions
be considered in planning the prof.
ect:
l. Appropriate representatives
from groups in each church be des-
ignated as representatives on social
agency boards in the community
and on special study committees set
up by the Alexandria Council of So
cial Agencies.
2. That the representatives par
ticipate with their clergymen in a
carefully planned" series of trips
and meetings, developed through the
Inter faith Committee in co-opera-
ton with the Council of Social Agen-
cies, to give them a closeup view of
the special problems and the COM
munity serving agencies in Alex
andria.
3. That representatives meet every
few months with their clergymen to
plan to use most effective what
they have learned in order to educate
the local parish or congregation in
the social problems of the COM
munity.
Other recommendations.
Terming the issue of religious
education in the public schools par
ticularly pressing" the report rec
ommends:
That the original proposal for es-
tablishing program of religious
education in the public school build
ings be modified to provide for a
program of released-time religion
education. In such program, chill
dren with parental consent would
be released from the schools for one
period to attend religious education
classes, held in cooperative church
centers convenient to the schools.
"It is particularly recommended
that the project be promoted entire
/ ly outside of the school buildings,
the report declares.
A. "a -