Dr. L.V. Rex, member of the Dutch Reform Church synod in the Transvaal, denied today that the synod’s recent statement that its members should judge a candidate for public office on whether or not he is of “good Christian character” was a plea not to support Jewish candidates.
In an interview with the newspaper Die Volksblad, in which he commented on the decision of the South African Board of Deputies to seek clarification of the synod’s position, Dr. Rex declared:
“I can well understand that the statement could be interpreted in the way the Deputies think. But I want to give an assurance that it is not aimed against Jews at all. The matter of the candidate’s faith was not questioned at all.” He added that the synod’s proposal was aimed at the “behavior and character” of a candidate, not his religious faith.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
