The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1952-11-21

ity opinion il stated that 1--WE are
religious people whose inSti,u-
tions presuppose Supreme Be-
ing" and when ii declared that
when the State encourages relig
ious instruction or cooperation with
religious authorities ii follows
the best of our trad" MS"
But our best religious traditions
are not fulfilled by mere theoret-
ical acknowledgment of religion as
possible aid in solving our prob-
lens, or by perfunctory attend
ance at Sunday Gevotions. or even
by stiff bow on the part of gov
ernment in the general direction
of God If our country is truly re-
ligious, the influence of religion
will permeate every part of our ma
tional life. The State will not mere
ly tolerate religion; it will honor
and welcome it as an indispensable
aid in building the complete good
life of its citizens-much as the
influence of religion has been well
coined in our Armed Forces.
In its internal and external af-
fairs the State will uphold, and
il will expect its citizens and its
officials to uphold, that standard
of morality which flows necessar-
lily from belief in God and in Gods
law From its own officials and en-
ployees it will demand an even
stricter observance of the moral
standard than it can enforce upon
individual citizens or business in.
StitutionS In dealing with the lat
ter, the State is often using its po-
lice power, rightly restricted by
constitutional and other legal
guarantees. In the case of public
servants the State is dealing with
individuals whose public employ
ment is conditioned on their hon
esty, honor, truthfulneSS. efficiency
and their devotion to tie national
welfare and the public good.
Religion requires that Justice,
tempered by charity, must prevail
in the States legislation and pol
icy relative to economic groups. II
will also inspire and guide the em-
ployer in the fulfillment of his du-
ties towards his EMPLOYEES in the
spirit of justice and charity
In the workingman'S struggle for
his rights the religious conscience
of the nation was not among the
least of the forces that sustained
him. Now that those rights have
been largely vindicated. religion
still insists on his responsibility TO
his employer and to society in the
achievement of a right economic
solidarity.
Religion will lead nation not
only TO hold forth its bounty 20
the needy of other nations but
also. in spirit of charity and
Justice, TO do its part to alleviate
the plight of the homeless and dis,
possessed of other Lands.
A religious people IS people
which prays. If the spirit of relig-
ion has declined in our times, it is
because many, immersed in world.
ly pursuits. have ceased to pray.
Most earnestly, therefore. we urge
a return to life Sanctified by
PRAYER But prayer itself can be eff.
fective only when ii is the fruit of
calm and ordered reflection on the
spiritual realities which -underlie
our whole existence. Once the OPP
portunitv of such reflection was af.
forded largely by the reverent OBJ.
Servance of Sunday, the day of the
Lord We call upon our people TO
return TO the proper RELIGIOUS OBJ,
servance of the Lords day and the
practice of familv-praver.
1t is a cherished tradition for our
government TO call its citizens to
prayer and public worship. Toe
often the proclamation of days oil
prayer, traditional in our Country
has come to be REGARDED by many
as a piouS formality The realiza
tion of the immeaSurable benefits
we have received from Almighty
God, the further realization that
only under Gods guidance can we
hope to solve our problems and
overcome our perils will restore tC
these davS their sacred character
The truly religious observance q
such DAYS as our religious feast,
and national HOLIDAYS will deeper
and enrich the spiritual life of the
! whole nation
! The Role of Christian Faith
! One of the constant dangers I,
! the religious spirit in a Countr,
: such as ours is the tendency to re
: gard religion itself simply as thu
! fruit of pious sentiment: or [,
} hold, as the doctrinal basis of re
: ligion. what we may call the com
: mon factor in the religious opin
. ions held by various groups. or L
Y be content with the great religion
e truths of the natural order whiel
: can be known by unaided huma
z