The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1961-04-27

has been presented the George Washing
ton Honor Medal Award for pointing up
the difference between Chris sianity and
the unique values of the American way
of life."
We are glad to see the work of the
National Council Of Churches thus recog-
niged by the Freedoms Foundation of
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, one of the
most conservative groups in the country.
IT. is fine that recognition be made
of the efforts anf the National Council of
Churches to combat Communism and at
the same time preserve our traditional
American freedoms. Too long it has been
the whipping boy for those who seek to
undermine and destroy the faith and con-
fidence Of millions Of Americans in heir
churches and the clergy = the highly paid
peddlers of propaganda who make their
living, and a good one at that, by dealing
in dirt.
These individuals and groups have
had a field day for years and their poison
has had its effect in the minds Of thou
sands of Americans who are today honest
ly confused not only about the National
Council of Churches but in too many in
stances their own denominations, church.
es and pastors.
In accepting the award for the Ma
tional Council DIR. Roy G. Ross, general
secretary, said:
Ever since its inception a de-
cade ago. the Council has affirmed
and reaffirmed its unalterable oppo-
sitiOn to communism, and the church.
es' strong loyalty to the freedoms
that they themselves helped to estab-
fish in our land and have struggled
ever since to nurture and encourage"
Chief Inspector of the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation William C. Sulli-
van told a group of one thousand clergy
men at a civic meeting held in Cincinnati,
Ohio, that the clergy has been among
~communism's most consistent and Wig
orous opponents and the country is great
ly indebted for this outstanding leader
ship and service.
1t is a "patent falsehood" says Mr..
Sullivan that the Protestant denomina-
tons have had an alarming infiltration
and influence by communists.
The FBI Chief Inspector said in
the paper he wrote on Communism and
Religion:
M From Marx to the present day,
communist leaders have dashed out at
religion, attacking it with a single pur-
pose; to annihilate religion and replace
it with worship Of the state = Commu-
nism is the antithesis of religion, being
implacably and irrevocably opposed to
religion on both philosophical and practi-
cal grounds.
MANY and varied charges have
been made concerning the extent of COM
lnunist penetration among Americas
religious leaders and institutions. The
allegations have served to create the i'm
preston among many Americans that the
Protestant denominations have been sub
jected to alarming infiltration and in
fluence.
seThis is a patent falsehood.
s"The truth of the matter is
that the Communist party has not
achieved any substantial success in
exerting domination, control or in
fluence over Americas clergy in our
natiOn and the fact is that they have
been among the most consistent and
vigorous opponents of communism"
Persons today who have been up
set by charges of red or pink" hurled
by irresponsible spokesman at the Nation
al Council of Churches from time to time
will be glad to read this public state
ment issued by the General Secretary of
the organization, DR.. Roy G. Ross, on
March Z, 1860, which said in part:
From its very first moment Of
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