Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-30

UClAC1os
The fact that those who
protested against hool
prayers are q small minority
is no excuse for violating
their rights. Although we be-
lieve in rule by the majority,
we should respect the rights
of minoritieS, especially when
restricting minority rights
would do the majority no
good.
Andrew C. Teter.
We are, or at least profess
to be, a Christian nation.
As a regularly communing
member Of the Christian
faith, I cannot but shudder
at the decision Of the United
States Supreme Court rul-
ing prayer in our public
schools unconstitutional. No
Christian can possibly In
dorse a way Of life in which
he is asked to divorce his re-
ligion from any Of that life.
I strongly feel it is not my
obligation to remove my
children from the tax-sup-
ported schools and place
them in a private church
school where they will be
permitted to practice their
religious teaching. Rather.
such removal of their chill
dren from the public schools
is the privilege Of those mi
nority groups who find the
Christian practices common
to the overwhelming major
ity Of Americans offensive.
I think this first step to-
ward a Goddess social exist
ence is the cue for all Chris
tians to militantly oppose
those minority elements
which would impose their
will upon the Nation in the
name Of civil liberty" or
constitutional rights" I,
for one, am certain that toll
erance and Christian charity
do not extend to compromis-
ing or denying the tenets Of
my faith-tenets upon which
history proves this country's
democratic principles were
founded.
Walter L. VOsburgh.
"The point for considera-
tion," says Mr.. Justice
Douglas, as VIII e ther the
Government can constitution
ally fina nce q religious
exercise"
Unitarian, Universalist,
Jewish, Ethical Society, and
other non Orthodox sky pi-
lots are expressing Joy over
the decision to the effect
that the Government cannot
finance a religious exercise.
No doubt these same sky pi-
lots will contemplate with
satisfaction the extension of
this principle to its ultima
ratio: the complete abolish
ment Of the Chaplains' Corps
in the Armed Services.
There is another ultima
ratio, however, with regard to
which the principle may not
be quite so enthusiastically
supported. There is a very
extensive body Of legislation
which requires that I and
other irreligious taxpayers
substitute each and every one
Of the groups mentioned-by
paying additional taxes to
make up for the tax exemp-
lions they enjoy.
If this is not the financing
Of religious exercises by Gov
eminent, what else is 1t?
The Washington Ethical So
ciety is opposed. on principle,
to anything which smacks of
the financing Of religious ex-
ercises by Government. Yet
this same Society was at con-
siderable pains, a few years
ago, to have itself judicially
declared a religious body
for the sole purpose Of ensur-
ing that I and other non
members pay the taxes which
it would be required to pay
If 1t did not enjoy religious
tax-exempt status.
Come, my friendsl Let us
see you grasp this opportu-
nifty for demonstrating that
your principles come before
your pocketbook! Few Of us
will lose any skin over the
adjustment of public-school
prayer-but the adjustment
Of that religious tax gravy
will hurt. Show us the ex-
tent to which you are willing
to become real martyrs to
principle.
Edmund A. Gibson.