A statement condemning anti-Semitic propaganda in America was made public here today by the Federation of Churches, signed by local prominent church leaders.
“Divisiveness on religious or racial grounds is a vicious menace to American Democracy,” the statement reads. “If one group be made the target of attack today, the same spirit of intolerance may be visited on another group tomorrow and the rights and liberties of every group thus be put in jeopardy.
“We condemn anti-Semitism as un-American. Our nation is a free fellowship of many racial and cultural stocks. It is our historic glory that they have been able to live together in mutual respect, each rejoicing in the rich contribution which the others have made to the common good. Anti-Semitism is an insidious evil which, if allowed to develop, would poison the springs of our national life.
“Even more strongly we condemn anti-Semitism as un-Christian. As Christians, we gratefully acknowledge our ethical and spiritual indebtedness to the people of Israel. We believe that no true Christian can be anti-Semitic in thought, word, or deed without being untrue to his own Christian inheritance.
“Upon the occasion of the beginning of the 5702nd New Year, we would voice to our Jewish friends and neighbors our abhorrence of any attack made upon racial or religious grounds, our determination to unite in combating every tendency to anti-Semitism and our realization of the special responsibility resting upon us who belong to the strongest group numerically, to be staunch advocates of the rights of minorities, to the defense of which we pledge our best and unceasing efforts.”
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