Evening star., 1960-09-16
LETTERS TO THE STAR
The RELIGIOUS Issue: For Better or Worse?

and return to thoughtful
consideration of the solution
to the primary issue.
L. r. Evans,
Protestant for Nixon,
Springfield. Virginia.
The practice of substituting
counter-charges for answers
to charges is not a suitable
approach to settling a con-
troversy.
AS a constructive approach,
I would like to suggest that
the recent statements Of the
two Protestant groups be
examined point by point by
suitable members Of the
hierarchy of the Roman
Catholic Church and the
error or truth of each point
be established and COM
municated to the public.
F. E. J.
In deciding how to vote in
our next presidential election
I am thoughtfully consider
ing the religion of Senator
Kennedy-iS it an asset, or a
drawback, or Of no conse-
quence at all? For doing this
I am being called a religious
bigot. But I think a candi-
dates religion should be con-
sidered if there is the possi-
bility Of a shadow of inf1u-
ence or conflict between re-
ligious convictions and pres
Sures and the carrying out of
duties of a public Office. One
would think long and we'll of
the religion of a Christian
Scientist before appointing
or electing a Christian Sci
enlist as head of a health
department; and the religion
Of a Jehovah's Witness who
because of his religion is a
conscientious objector, would
be taken into account if he
were being considered as
head Of the Department of
Defense. Why then should
not the religion of a Catholic
be considered, since his reli-
gion does contain some tenets
that may unduly influence
him, perhaps unconsciously,
in conducting the Office of
President. of the United
States?
In Mr.. Kennedy's accept
ance speech. in stating that
he will reject ANY kind of
religious pressure or obliga-
ton that may directly or in
directly interfere with nv
conduct of the presidency in
the national interest" he is
in reality acknowledging
that there may be religious
pressure and obligation. The
religious presSureS and obli-
cations, and Mr.. Kennedy's
own convictions, would natu-
rally be Identical. AS Charles
Wilson felt in saying q few
years ago that what is good
for General Motors is good
for the country" a Catholic
President would naturally
think and feel that what is
good for his church and
what the church says is good
for him, is also good for the
country. E. B.P.
-
This is not to accuse DR..
George S. Reamey of being
inSincere, but to say that if
he is sincere, he is quite ig-
norant concerning the Cath
olic Church.
In the first place, there is
nothing in the Constitution
that is in opposition to Cath
olic teaching. Five hundred
years before the Constitution
was drawn up, one of the
greatest teachers of the
Catholic Church, st. Thomas
Aquinas, said THE best form
OF government is in a state
or kingdom wherein one is
given the power to preside
over all; while under him are
OF h rs having governing
power. A government of this
kind is shared by all, both
because all are eligible to
govern and because the
rulers are chosen by all"
If DR.. Reamey were to
study the true history and
teachings of the Catholic
Church, he would soon learn
that the Cathlic Church was
the first great democracy in
the world, despite the errors
of some of it's leaders
throughout the centuries.
The Popes, themselves, are,
not infallible. 1t is the Holy
Spirit Who guides them in
proclaiming the doctrines of
the Church Whom we must
consider infallible.
Catherine Gould.