Religious Tension Found Growing in U.S.

“An increase of racial and religious tensions throughout the world, which have had their repercussions in this country,” was reported by Dr. Everett R. Clinchy, executive director of the National Conference of Jews and Christians, at a meeting of the executive committee. In his semi-annual report Dr. Clinchy said: “The forces of intolerance here have been stimulated by developments abroad. Anti-Semitism is reported by observers to be more widespread in this country, although there is no yardstick with which to measure its extent. Anti-Catholic feeling is also reported as growing, as has Catholic mistrust of certain Protestant contentions.”

“While the trend of events is giving concern to many, including the officials and staff of the National Conference,” he continued, “it must be emphasized that the main stream of American thought continues along democratic lines. The great majority of our people still give wholehearted allegiance to the natural rights of American freedom. So much so, in fact, that the past six months have hardened opinion among the American masses against the totalitarian systems of government abroad and have developed a revulsion against their attempt either to annihilate or to make the religious societies of Catholics, Jews and Protestants instruments of the totalitarian states.”