The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1950-04-27
STRESS RELIGIOUS. FREEDOMS


1871, the late President Franklin o, Roos-
evelt enuncfated the statement of policy
which has been known as THE Four Free
Freedom Of speech and expression; (2)
Freedom of speech and expression; (2)
Freedom of every person to worship God
in his own way; (3) Freedom from want;
and (4) Freedom from fear
Without going into the explanation of
these freedoms, we are interested in the
concern which the United States, as a ma
ton, has taken in these detectives, with
the notable exception of item No. g There
is much talk. for example, of attempting
to solve item No. by the Point Four pro-
gram Of President Truman and everybody
gives lip service to Point l. The freedom
from fear" includes talk about disarma-
ment and the safety of peoples every
where from aggression.
In the discussion of what this nation is
prepared to do for the rest of the world,
especially in regard to the expenditure of
funds, it is emphasized and re-empha-
sized that these nations should develop
proper democratic processes. Upen No Oc-
casion have we seen statement from the
President of the United States, in con
nection with any foreign aid proposal
that the United States takes an equally
firm stand for the freedom of every per-
son to worship God in his own way
everywhere in the world"
The matter comes to mind in connec-
ton with a report of religious persecu-
ton in Colombia made by Daniel W. Pat
tiSon, an official of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America.
who recently returned from an inspection
of Presbyterian properties in South Amer
lea. He protests against the present re-
gime of persecution, citing the following
incidents:
In the environs of Cali, ten churches
have been burned, several pastors jailed,
missionary assaulted by police while
conducting worship services and we'd
ding broken up by police, who arrested
the clergyman and attacked the partici-
pants. In March, he reports, ''the last out
post" of Lutheranism in the Department
of Boyoaca was burned to the ground
These acts of persecution" declares Mr.
Pattisons might be multiplied hundred
times He says that sworn statements can
be obtained from those who have suffered
The Presbyterian official says that the
religious persecution is occurring in the
rural areas and is at the hands of the ma
tional police or mayors of the smaller
towns" The mayors are appointees of
the President and, in turn, appoint the
police. They usually represent the reac-
tionary political party which identifies
itself with the Roman Catholic Church,
but Mr.. Pattison says that ''better edu-
Gated and responsible Catholics" deplore
the acts of violence.
We call attention to these reports and
discuss the general idea of freedom of re-
ligious worship because the United States
is spending and about to spend billions
of dollars for the purpose of creating a
world in which individuals can be free
If this be the purpose of the nation, it
is essential that freedom be embraced in
full and without reservations and that
the prestige and finance of this country
be used in accordance with the ideals and
principles of those who believe in all
forms of human freedom