The Need of Consistency

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 17, 1912

The Need of Consistency

It is comparatively easy to see a departure from right principles in the other man. This is illustrated by the attitude of some Protestants toward Roman Catholics. Nearly all Protestants have opposed the wearing of the religious garb in the government schools on the ground that it was a violation of the American principles of separation of church and state; but at the same time, they favor certain things done by Protestants which are a much greater violation of the same principles. This savors of unfairness, and works to the disadvantage of those who occupy this contradictory position. Protestants ought to be consistent in their warfare against Romanism, and not allow in themselves the things which they condemn in Roman Catholics. The disadvantage at which they have placed themselves in doing otherwise is clearly shown by the following criticism:—

“They are criticizing the Catholics for their attempting to do precisely that which all the Protestant sects have been doing ever since the establishment of the republic. Wherever they can bring it about, they have Protestant religious exercises and Bible reading in the public schools, using the King James Version, which is accepted by neither Catholics nor Jews; and every effort to make the public schools non-sectarian, so that there shall be nothing in the routine to offend the religious beliefs of the parents of any of the pupils, has been fought by the Protestant clergy and their following with the utmost determination and with every weapon at their command, in the churches, the newspapers, the courts, and even by intimidation of office-holders, candidates for office, and teachers.

“Nor have they stopped there. They have have the paid chaplains in the army and navy, in all correctional, reformatory, and public charitable institutions. Congress and all other political sessions are opened with Christian prayers. All Protestant leaders and judges, even some of those on the United States Supreme Court bench, insist that this is a Christian country and that Christianity is a part of the law of the land, and demand Sunday and sumptuary legislation accordingly. The Guardians of Liberty are hardly in a position to criticize the Catholic Church and its adherents for their alleged political activity.

“What all good citizens should strive for is secularism pure and simple in all branches of the government and courts and in all public educational institutions, leaving the inculcation of religion to the parents and the churches, and giving the greatest possible facilities to all of them, and special advantages to none.

“And above all, no man's religious belief or unbelief should be considered in selecting the candidates for public office or employment in any private capacity.”

— The Chicago Israelite, Oct. 5, 1912.