Can There Be Religious Peace?
Rothwell, Bernard J.
CAN THERE BE RELIGIOUS PEACE ? By BERNARD J. ROTHWELL Recent editorial comment drew the attention of Commonweal readers to the discussion of religious misrepresentations which was sponsored in...
...The first meeting, on November 12, was completely filled...
...the confessional...
...They were also fortunate in securing the assistance of Mr...
...His article will serve, we hope, to stimulate interest in, and lead to further discussion of this important subject.-The Editors...
...Summaries of the discussion were transmitted by the Associated Press to newspapers throughout the United States, and brought many letters from distant sections: in a very few instances, sceptical, but mainly expressive of interest, of approval and of desire to see the movement spread...
...the different forms in which there had been cooperative effort of Catholics, Jews and Protestants...
...CAN THERE BE RELIGIOUS PEACE ? By BERNARD J. ROTHWELL Recent editorial comment drew the attention of Commonweal readers to the discussion of religious misrepresentations which was sponsored in Boston by the Calvert Round Table...
...It was argued that group separation in political matters sometimes results from the personality of the leaders, and sometimes is promoted deliberately for selfish ends...
...Round Table 2, which was the one most largely attended, discussed Misrepresentation of Religious Beliefs and Practices...
...that Catholics, Jews and Protestants were employed without thought to their faith...
...In some industrial cases, the disadvantage of interruption of operation because of the strict observance of religious holidays was cited as a reason...
...It also facilitated full and prompt attendance at the opening of the afternoon sessions...
...That such sincere differences are matters of conscience between the individual soul and its Creator and therefore are entitled to universal respect...
...This committee a short time later reported that such an organization would be highly desirable, and advised that it consist of IOO laymen, in approximately even proportions of Catholics and of various other denominations, including Jews...
...Inspiring addresses were made by President Lowell, Rabbi Harry Levi, of Temple Israel, and the Reverend Michael J. Ahern, S.J., of Weston College...
...Here again the report from Table 2 proved to be the one in which the largest interest centered, and here again, through the able manner in which the chairman of that table, Professor Elliott, concentrated the discussion upon the more vital questions, delicate subjects were discussed with good-will, such slight departures as occurred receiving no encouragement from the audience...
...The right to preach everywhere what either believes to be the truth was conceded, but attempt to lure away those of any faith, especially children, by material inducement of whatever nature, was disapproved and condemned...
...and that, if the principles stated in the declaration were put into practical effect in our daily contacts, the result would be most pleasing to the Almighty and of incalculable benefit to the individual, the immediate community and to the nation...
...It was further decided that The motives of The Calvert Round Table of Boston would be purely patriotic...
...It was stated that in many cases antagonism was not wholly based upon religion, but also arose from racial habits or customs...
...the definition of morals when the Catholic Church asserts papal infallibility in matters of faith and morals...
...That discrimination-political, social or economic-based solely upon religious prejudice and intolerance, violates both the letter and the spirit of the constitution and is fraught with grave peril to the security of the republic...
...The sentiment generally expressed then and since was that similar Calvert Round Tables ought to be established in every good-sized city and in the larger towns, especially in college towns among the students...
...authority versus individual interpretation, etc...
...Discussion focused upon the increase of bigotry and intolerance, religious and racial, during the previous few years, which reached its climax in the several months preceding the recent presidential election...
...The seminar was held in the Fogg Art Museum building of Harvard University...
...The alleged tendency in community politics to support or discriminate against candidates primarily because of their faith, met with general condemnation...
...It was stated that Catholics and Jews held aloof from community social service movements because of fundamental religious differences...
...At the second session, the various questions regarding the faith of each group were taken up by the representatives of that faith, answered calmly, clearly, concisely, and to the apparent satisfaction of the questioners...
...Rothwell to review the Harvard conference in more detail...
...Officers and an executive committee were elected, and an advisory committee provided for whose duty would be to consider the principal causes of religious animosity, their sources and their effect, and from time to time advise the executive committee as to the most effective means of promoting the aim of this organization...
...As completed, the organization consisted of approximately 50 percent Catholics, 40 percent Protestants and 10 percent Jews...
...birth control...
...It was agreed that many of these prejudices were not based solely on religion or race, but on personal contacts...
...a) Are there restrictions of a religious or racial nature in selecting personnel for positions or professions ? (b) In what particular professions or occupations do members of the religious group to which you belong have the most serious difficulty in securing needed education, employment or recognition...
...The author is a well-known Boston Catholic citizen who took a prominent share in organizing the Round Table...
...that the gravest political, social and economic consequences would inevitably follow, unless it were checked effectively, the wave of religious and racial intolerance-particularly in recognition of the fact that the constitution of the United States was founded on the principle of freedom of belief...
...It was developed that discrimination, religious and racial, does exist against highly qualified individuals of certain religions, notably the Jewish, seeking positions both in the professions and in business...
...There would be no criticism of the sincere spiritual convictions of those of whatever faith...
...annulment of marriage...
...At 12:30 each day recess was taken for luncheon at which all present were guests of The Calvert Round Table at the Harvard Union...
...whether neighborly prejudices, where they existed, were due to causes religious or racial, whether they were as likely to be as marked in the rising generation, etc...
...the causes of their success or failure...
...Very many who were present stated that it was the most interesting experience they had ever had...
...The friendly contacts promptly established between rabbis, priests and ministers, who previously in many cases were strangers to each other, was a notable feature, and the resulting good-fellowship exhibited was an encouraging promise of future better understandings and mutual appreciation...
...The seminar then divided into three sections, each assembling in a separate room...
...On the other hand, heads of organizations employing large numbers stated that there was actually no discrimination in their establishments...
...Benson Y. Landis, of the Federated Council of Churches of Christ in America, and Professor Harrison S. Elliott, of the Union Theological Seminary, New York, who had demonstrated at the Columbia seminar, his ability to handle the difficult problem so as to promote the fullest discussion of controversial questions with the minimum of aggressiveness, to clarify issues and to bring about the spirit of mutual appreciation...
...Meanwhile, attention was attracted to the successful seminar held at Columbia University early in the current year-stated to have been the first of its nature on record-and it was determined that as soon as the membership was complete, the first active effort of the Round Table should be the holding of a similar seminar...
...alleged Catholic claim that "outside the Church there is no salvation...
...It was noticeable that the majority of the questions were regarding presumed tenets of the Catholic faith...
...There was throughout an atmosphere of the utmost friendliness and in several cases a remarkable expression of desire for further light...
...the policy of the Church...
...It was seconded by two Catholic, two Jewish and two Protestant clergymen, and was unanimously adopted: Sincere conviction as to the absolute infallibility of one's own faith and, as a corollary, the error or inadequacy of all other religions, involve no question of the spiritual sincerity of those who differ and who hold firmly to the tenets of their own faith...
...These were listened to with deep interest and were freely and intelligently commented upon...
...That such "agreement to disagree" as to the fundamentals of their respective faiths in no way interferes with their active cooperation in all undertakings making for the welfare of their community...
...Round Table 3 considered the question of Community Conflict and Cooperation...
...The by-laws also specified that No one active in political life or holding elective public office shall be eligible for membership...
...Lists of men and women who, it was believed, would be seriously interested in the discussions were secured from various sources, and individual letters were sent to a large number of adherents of the different faiths...
...What are the causes...
...On the afternoon of the second day in general meeting the chairmen of the various Round Tables summarized the proceedings of their respective sessions...
...It would have no partizan or personal political interest or policy to promote...
...Before the close of the final session the following declaration was proposed...
...The proposition was brought to the attention of His Eminence Cardinal O'Connell, who signified Charles L. Slattery, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Massachusetts, and from prominent rabbis...
...The question of proselytizing was discussed at length by clerical representatives of all three faiths...
...Round Table 1 discussed Vocational Adjustments, centering largely upon economic experiences as expressed in the first question: What evidence exists regarding vocational difficulties...
...The committee in charge of the seminar had the privilege of drawing upon the experience of the National Conference of Jews and Christians in New York, which had successfully conducted the seminar at Columbia University...
...President Lowell and his staff showed a deep interest in the significant event and did everything possible to ensure the comfort and convenience of those in attendance...
...Attendance at the seminar was by invitation...
...its reputed influence in political affairs and its relation to political action, the Child Labor Amendment, for example...
...A simple set of by-laws was adopted, setting forth as its sole object: To uphold the freedom of worship guaranteed by the constitution, to remove religious prejudice, and to foster among all our people, of whatever religious belief, the respect for each other's sincere convictions, mutual confidence and good-will essential to the perpetuation of the republic...
...It was however asserted that the discrimination is much less than it is known to have been twenty-five or more years ago...
...In this way the ioo members representing the professions, business and finance, were soon enrolled...
...This afforded opportunity for more intimate acquaintance and interchange of individual opinion and impressions...
...A good many questions also dealt with Jewish feeling as to the historical accuracy of the New Testament ; and false reports as to sacrificial practices of the Jews on certain holidays, as well as alleged proselytizing by certain Protestant bodies, etc...
...They felt that no greater disaster could befall the republic than its division into bitterly antagonistic religious camps...
...Its methods would be persuasive rather than aggressive...
...their inalienable right to the practice of their religion, or their eternal reward...
...the extent to which they had promoted mutual respect for each other's tenets and practices, good-will, friendliness and community-mindedness...
...As thoughtful American citizens they were, however, dismayed by the wave of intolerance which was sweeping the country...
...Owing to widespread interest in this method of attacking intolerance, we have invited Mr...
...that Jews are sometimes looked upon with disfavor by private school authorities and social organizations...
...Over five hundred acceptances were received, of which approximately 50 percent were Protestant, 25 Catholic, and 10 Jewish, the remainder unplaced...
...The immediate political effect of that manifestation did not concern those present...
...With this in view a committee was appointed to consider the advisability of a permanent organization...
...It would not attempt doctrinal exposition, that not being the province of the laity...
...The head of a school placement bureau stated that in a very large card list of prospective employers, one out of every five cards reads "No Jews...
...The members present were requested to send in names of prominent laymen who they believed would be seriously interested in the aim of the organization...
...THE seminar to consider the relations of Catholics, Jews and Protestants recently conducted at Harvard University under the auspices of The Calvert Round Table of Boston has attracted country-wide attention...
...indulgences and miracles...
...It is interesting to note that more than 90 percent of those invited expressed deep interest and accepted the invitation...
...The inquiry as to the applicant's religion often printed upon employee's application sheets and upon similar sheets issued by employment bureaus was deprecated and its elimination was recommended...
...A dinner about a year ago was attended by some twenty-five Catholic laymen who were addressed by the editor of The Commonweal...
...they were not exclusively of one particular party, nor had they voted exclusively for one particular candidate...
...The initial meeting was then held and the name "The Calvert Round Table" was decided upon, in recognition of the first Lord Baltimore of the colony of Maryland-the first to incorporate in its constitution the guarantee of religious freedom...
...It was found that in many cases discrimination in selection was a matter of expediency, employers believing that it was productive of greater harmony and cooperation...
...A large blackboard was soon covered with questions of various kinds coming under this general head...
...The genesis of The Calvert Round Table of Boston, and the seminar, which is the first important step in the furtherance of its aim, is of interest...
...While there was considerable discussion of these highly controversial questions during the first session, it was, in the main, without any evidence of rancor...
...that they were often incidental to the pursuit of old-world habits and customs in the new land, many being characteristic of newcomers among immigrant groups, and tending to disappear in their descendents...
...To encourage the younger men to identify themselves more frequently and more intimately with their fellow-citizens of other religions in civic movements designed for the general good...
...that those of a particular religion who may be in public school control, mainly in smaller places, sometimes award positions to those of their own faith rather than to equally, or better qualified candidates of other faiths...
Vol. 11 • December 1929 • No. 7
