Arkansas State press., 1949-08-05
LIFE AT A GLANCE
BY David Bethea


Organized religion throughout the world is facing its bit
teest test since the middle ages and there in being
dslusoned at believing the struggle against letting up
And unless the spiritual leaders grid themselves
ees of the prophets and lash boldly those preach
brotherhood but do not practice the younger generation will
find less comfort in the church than ordinary fantace of
life
Here in the United States where Poitico-Economc sys
tenn founded upon christian principles of spiritual
holiness is Obvious There much hypocrisy the
whole strata of leadership the churches and there is lack
OF whoeheaedness in their manifestation of unity true
human relationship, which much needed the world to-
day. They have failed dsmaly their effort to establish a
thory in their dealings with social problems There
lack OF mutual unity among them and If they together
then organized religion must be weakened
Why has religion failed to take the leadership in this in
dsnansd age? The be up in two words:
Segregation and Prejudice Right here in the United States
where all familiar with church and religion prnc
PIES society has yet to recognize that all men whether black
or white are brothers Since white ohurchmen are bound to
pattern OF nonrecognon of their brohern e idea
Of brotherhood in the church loses much Of It's full mean
ing.
In 1914 the bitter controversy between sections over the t.
sue OF slavery reached such a stage it disrupted religious
bodies The southern members of the Methodist church sepa
rated from their broern in the north and organized the Me-
thodist Episcopal church. south In that same wear southern
Baptist church was formed and years later the Pros
byerans split in two groups The conflict of opinion in
tese religious groups the question of whether 10 accent
Negroes as brothers Therein lies the great trouble with orra
nzed religion Prejudice sl prevalent in the church as
1t was in the days of slavery
MIS- Agnes e. Meyer in stirring article in the August 2
issue of Look Magazine entitled "Why Poestants Need To-
wake Up SAID The Negro in the north the south is still
banishcd to a church of his own"
We hae come long way The days of slavery but re-.
ue'on here In s country has risen above the spirit Of Jim
crow TIE churches have failed in their mission IN make Ms all
brothers OF one another instead they have become an ezprs
sion OF class distinction ard Jim Crow They have done indie
To close The gap between the doctrine Of superiority and eco.
monte maladustmcnt
Throughout The country whenever a rrirhborr1rd r,es
] vhig
i'r the whites hen reeg1cd the level of Jim Grow for
Negroes Tie striking thing about this practice is that there is
no section OF The country free from this subtle prejudice
If the churches are 10 become force in the si7plo ror
better world TO live n they must accept the fact thai ,r
men are brothers They must accept the principle and practice
/ IT,.
Will be as harsh truth, and uncomproniisinp as
justice on this subject do wish TO think or sneak M
write with moderation Tell whose house is ON fir
to give moderate alarm but urge to use moderation
in cause like the present earnest will not eou,oca