Medford mail tribune., June 18, 1963, Image 2

J
7'
1
t
4
-.1
MEKpectdTdQvismde
Scbdol'P rayeir Decision
Decision Draws
Criticism From
Some Lawmakers
Washington (UPO Any ef
forts In Congress to override
the Supreme Court ban on re-
ligious exercises in public
schools appeared doomed to
day despite sharp criticism of
the ruling by some lawmak
ers. Congress and the state
legislatures could overrule the
high court by enacting a con
stitutional amendment, but
no one really expects they
will do so.
The Supreme' Court, In a
long-awaited decision, ruled 8
to 1 Monday that use of the
Lord's Prayer or Bible read
ing in public schools fur de
votional purposes violated the
First Amendment to the Con
stitution, which prohibits gov
ernmental "establishment of
religion."
Justice Tom C. Clark wrote
in the majority opinion that
the government must main
tain strict "neutrality" be
tween man and the worship
of God. He held that laws in
Maryland and Pennsylvania,
which were challenged by
parents of school children,
violated the neutrality doc
trine. , . -
Justice Potter Stewart dis
sented, as he did last year
when the court ruled uncon
stiiulional a state - written
prayer In New York schools.
Stewart accused the majority
In Monday's decision of tram
pling on the constitutional
guarantee that there shall be
no governmental prohibition
on the free exercise of re
ligion. The new' court decision
brought angry reaction from
some members of Congress
and immediate moves to try
to overturn it. Several such
amendments were offered
last year after the New York
prayer , ruling, but nothing
came of them.
. If last year's reaction Is a
guide, it seems likely that
' members of the House and
Senate will fume publicly
about the decision for several
weeks, Introduce proposed
const Ituttonat amendments
and then forget about it.
To overturn the Supreme
Court ruling, the First
Amendment would have to be
revised. This would requlra
" two-thirds approval of both
the House and Senate and
then ratification by three
fourths, or 38, of the 80
states,
In addition, rewriting the
First Amendment which
provides for basic freedoms of
speech, press, peaceful as
sembly and petition as well as
religion, could be a most dif
ficult task. Even If a serious
effort were made to overrule
the court's decision, this prob
lem could derail it.
Church, leaders were spilt
In their reaction to the rul
ing. Several hailed It as a step
that might ' encourage more
meaningful religious practice
by individuals both at home
and in their churches. But oth
ers criticized the decision.
The Rev, ,Slla G. Kcssler,
moderator,' And the Rev. Eu
gene Carson Blake, slated
clerk, of the Presbyterian
church, said in a joint state
ment that "responsible Amer
icans will abide by its deci
sion in good grace.
But Bishop Fred Pierce
Corson, president of the World
Methodist Council, said ' in
Philadelphia that Uie ruling
. would "penalize the religious
people who are very definitely
in the majority in the United
States."
In Congress Sen. George D
Aiken (R-Vt.) questioned
whether the opening of the
Senate and House sessions
with a prayer would be legal.
i. .
MAIL STUDIED Mr. and Mrs. Edward L, Schempp,
Abington, Pa., with the help of their children, Donna,
17, and Roger, 20, go through some of the more than 500
letters" they received In the past five years. The couple's
legal action star ted in a Philadelphia federal court
against compulsory Bible reading in public . sehools
resulted In Monday's Supreme Court decision to baa such
activity. (UPI) '
Door Seen Open for Objective Study
Of Religion in Schools of Nation
Editor's nois What it the
significance of iha Supreme
Court's decision that religious
exercises in public schools art
unconstitutional? Hera is an
naysis by the UPI religion
tdttor.
By LOUIS CASSELS
Washlngton-WPI) - In baiv
nlng devotional exercises in
public schools, the Supreme
Court went out of Its way to
encourage objoclive study of
religion as a rcgulur part of
the school curriculum. .
The ; court majority thus
took a stand very similar to
that adopted earlier this
month by the general board of
National Council of Churches.
Monday's 6 to 1 ruling was
unequivocal in saying that
public schools may not contin
ue the widespread practice of
opening each school day with
a religious exercise which us
ually Includes the recitation
of. the Lord's Prayer and the
devotional reading of a pas
sage from the Blblo.
Surveys Indicate that about
half of the nation's public
schools now follow this prac
tice. It Is much more common
In the South and East than
in the Midwest and West.
The court said that such ex
ercises, whether compulsory
or voluntary, violate "the
command of the First Amend
ment that the government
maintain strict neutrality,
neither aiding nor opposing
religion."
Departed From Itiua
But the majority opinion,
written by Justice Tom C.
Clark, went on to speak of
the "exalted" place which re
liglon occupies In American
society. And it departed from
the specific Icgul issues before
It and ottered schools and
students these words of ad
vice:
"It might well be said that
one s education Is not com'
plete without a study of com
parative religion or the his
tory of religion and its rela
tionship to the advancement
of civilization.
"It certainly may be said
that the Bible is worthy of
study for Its literary and his
toric qualities.
"Nothing we have said here
indicates that such study of
the Bible or of religion, when
presented objectively as part
of a secular program of edu
cation, may not be effected
consistent with the First
Amendment."
. The Court's strong plug for
objective teaching about re
ligion was warmly welcomed
by a number of religious lead
ers, i
J. Irwin Miller, president of
the National Council of
Churches, noted that the coun
cil's policy making general
board, meeting In New York
on June 7, adopted a pro
nouncement opposing "devo
tional use of the Bible" in
public schools, but asserting
that "the full treatment of
some regular school subjects
requires the use of the Bible
as a source book."
The council, statement said
that "no person Is truly edu
cated who Is not aware of the
vital part played by religion
in the shaping of our history
and culture, and of its con
tempo rary expressions," It
suggested that information
about religion be taught In
schools as as essential part
in courses In social studies, lit
erature and the arts.
The Rt. Rev. William F.
Creighlon, Episcopal bishop of
Washington, said the court de
cision "clearly opens the door
for an Increased emphasis
upon our religious heritage
as a regular part of the public
school curriculum."
Stocks Show Improvement
On Moderately Active Trading
' M... V... limit o i. i ..ii. ... i.. i . .
New York - IUPD - Stocks domestic sales of Zigzag auto-
showed signs of improving
early today on moderately ac
tive trading.
Some electronics and to
baccos brightened. IBM and
Texas Instruments were up
about lVi and 2, respectively.
However, Singer Manufactur
ing continued to weaken after
a Supreme Court reversed a
lower court decision that
Singer attempted through
patent deals to monopolize
mntlc sewing machines
Both Philip Morris and Lig
gett & Myers moved higher in
the tobaccos.
DOW JONES AVERAGES
New York - UNI - Dow
Jonas final stock averages:
30 industrials 718.21, off
3.82; 20 railroads 170.11. up
0.32: IS utililiti 139.87, up
0.24: 65 stocks 256.45. oil
0.58. Sales Monday were
Foreign Briefs
WEST BERLIN MOB HALTED BY WATER
Brlin-iiri-A mob of Watt Bsrllnari who tried to march
to tht Communist border wall disptrsed early today alter
thay war doud by Wtitarn police water cannon and by
a light rain. The marchers were an unruly olfihoot ol
100,000 West Berliners who gathered in front of city hall
to mark the 10th anniversary of the East German revolt,
CHRISTINE KEELER IN AUTO ACCIDENT
London-ilTlk-Chrlttine Keeler, the party girl involved In
the Prolumo scandal, was in a minor automobile accident
Monday night, it was reported today. The Daily Express said
no one was Injured.
prices
SAN FRANCISCO
LOWEST
ROUND-TRIP
FARES
West Coast Airlines
r
about 3.51 million shares
compared with 3.84 million
Friday.
Monday's
Mocks:
Alum Co Am
American Air Lines
American Motors
a t tk t . ,
Amerlcnn Tobacco .
Anuconda Copper
Armco
Bcndix Corp
BoctnK Air
llruimvlck L '.
Cntcrpillar Corp
Chryaler Corp ..
Cora Cola
cn.s. ,'
Columbia Gas . .' '
Continental Can .
Crown Zellrrbach .
Crm-thle Steel . .
Curtiai Wrlsht J
Dow Chemical
Du Pont i
Knstman Kodak
Flreatone
Ford
General Electric
General Foodi
General Moturi ..
General Portland Cement
Georitia Pacific
l.rcvnound
Gulf Oil '.
HoineMtaae 4
mniiii i-owcr ,
IBM
lot Paper
Johna Manvllle
Kenneeott Copper
Lockheed Aircraft . ...
Martin
Merck ;
Montana Power .. ..
Nat l Hm-uit
Northern Natural Gal
Northern Pacific
Pac Gas Elec .
Pennev J. C. .
Penn HR
aelectcd
tMI'i
"'a
Hl'a
122'.
2!l,
501,
57
51'i
331,
IS".
43',
M
!I3'j
57
3u,
52',
23',
2lJ,
., f.01,
Jill',
USi,
34 ,
331,
7'l,
at',
70-t,
21
.H'.
40
44',
439
32
41HJ
73'.
33',
19',
. 93',
.171,
. 4S
33
46
3
43'.
IS,
Permanente Cement IS
Philltn.
Procter Gamble
Srtlewav
Sear.
Shell Oil ..'S.Z...I
Southern Co.
Southern Pacific
Standard California
Standard Indiana .. . .
Standard N. J
Texaa Co
Tea Gulf Sulfur
Tevai Paclllc Land Tru.l
Thiokol
Trana America
Trail, World Air
Tri-Continent!
I'mon Carbide 107
I'nion Pacific . , 411
1'nited Air Line. At
1' S Plywood u
! 5 Rubber '. 4
t' S Steel .... ,
I'niled t'tilittea , , .' 37
Youngstown ... . .101
34',
74',
37',
90',
42,
33 '
33',
S3",
90',
7',
09',
13',
11',
24 .
31'.
17
4S
American Clergy, Laymen Differ
In Reaction To Prayer Decision
United Press International
America's clergy and lay
men differed today in their re
action to the Supreme Court
ruling banning compulsory
reading and recitation of the
Lord's Prayer in schools.
Protestants and Jewish
leaders were divided, while
Roman Catholics generally
urged support of the ruling.
In Los Angeles, an attorney
for the American Civil Lib
erties Union said he would file
suit to challenge the phrase
under God" in the Pledge of
Allegiance as a violation of
the First Amendment. ,
The National Council o f
Churches said the decision
was a "reminder . . . that
teaching religion is the re
sponsibility of the home and
the community of faith
(church or synagogue) rather
than public schools. Neither
the church nor state should
use the public school or com
pel acceptance of any creed
or conformity to any specific
religious practice. '
Others Differ
A Methodist layman from
Onida, S.D., differed.
"Those of us who believe
that prayers and Bible read
ing in school are worthwhile
have never suggested that
these things should take the
place of church and home
training,"- Curtis Johnson, a
road contractor, said.
"The real issue is not a mat
ter of separation of church
and state. It is the -grievous
mistake the Supreme Court
believes religion should be
channeled Into certain areas
of life only," Johnson saidi
'This is a tragic error." 4
Evangelist Billy Graham)
crusading in West Germany,
said he was "shocked", at the
Supreme, Court devision. ,
. "Prayers and Bible reading
have been a part of American
public school life since the
Pilgrims landed at Plymouth
Rock," Graham said. "Now a
Supreme Court in 1963 says
our fathers were all wrong
all these years. In my opinion,
it is the Supreme Court that
is wrong."
Defends Ruling
A Roman Catholic educator,
the Rev. William J. Kenealy,
S.J.,' professor of law at Loy-
Portland Church
Leaders Express
Mixed Reaction
Portland -IUPH- Church lead
ers here expressed mixed re
actions today to the U.S. Su
preme Court decision forbid
ding states from requiring
Bible reading and recitation
of the Lord's Prayer in public
schools.
The Rev. J. Lester Harnish
of the First Baptist Church
said the state could not re
quire anyone to exercise any
religious function.
"This does not mean that
prayer cannot be offered in
schools by those who wish to
voluntarily participate," he
said, explaining the key word
in the decision was "require."
Methodist Bishop A. Ray
mond Grant and officials of
the Greater Portland Council
o( Churches also released
state ments supporting the
opinion.
Dissenting Opinions
Two dissenting opinions
came from Rev. Martin Thiel
en, director of education for
the Roman Catholic archdi
ocese of Portland and the Rev,
George Macris of the Holy
Trinity Greek Orthodox
Church.
The Rev. Mr. Thcilen said
the decision is in line with a
trend to promote complete
secularization of American
public life.
. "Such a concept Is to our
mind completely at variance
with the thinking of our
founding fathers," he said.
In Salem, .lames Turnbull,
I deputy state superintendent
Ol public instruction, said he
, doubted if the decision w ill
j have any effect in Oregon.
He said he knew of no schools
which require Bible reading.
Southland Soaked
By Heavy Showers
United Pre.. International
Heavy showers soaked the
Southland today and summery
air pushed northward into the
Midwest.
The heaviest rainfall during
the night occurred in the
Southwest. More than two
inches fell at Corpus Christ I.
Tex.. Naval Air Station.
Earlier, more than four
inches hit Laredo, Tex., and
Morgan City. La., ran its 24
hour total to seven Inches
ola university in Chicago, said
"reading of the Bible, recita
tion of prayers and the con
duct of religious exercises in
public schools infringes on the
free exercise of religion on
the part of dissenting par
ents." The president of the Cen
tral Conference of American
Rabbis, Albert G. Minda, Min
neapolis, Minn., said, "We are
gratified to learn of the de
cisions . . . We believe they
will strengthen'the voluntary
religious life in America.'.'
A Jewish theologian, Rabbi
Seymour Siegel of Jewish
Theological Seminary in New
York, said, "I number myself
among those who believe that
it is desirable within the dic
tates of the Constitution to
find some way to make the in
fluence of religion felt within
the schools of our nation.
The American Jewish com
mittee said the decision repre
sented "a reaffirmation of the
historic American principle of
separation of church and
state-"
Criticises Decision
The president of the World
Methodist Council, Bishop
Fred Pierce Corson, said in
Philadelphia the ruling will
"penalize the religious people
who are very definitely in
the majority in the U.S.''
Bishop Cor son predicted
the decision would be "the
beginning of a new movement
by both the Protestants and
the Catholics - for parochial
education simply to protect
their children from a growing
secularism which now seems
INSURANCE BILL PASSED
Washington-itTP-The House
passed and sent to the Senate
Monday a bill which would
extend for another two years
liberal home financing mort
gage insurance now available
to I o w-and-moderate-income
families.
At laal! A pleaaant. relre.hins vr
to help breaJi amoklng habtL Great
Uote, seatl? BtedltAteit
to help satisfy tobacco
enmns-. At drua moim.
Regional Edition
Medford
Page 2A
JTRIBUNE
MEDFORD, OREGON, TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1963
to have invaded the courts."
In Indianapolis, Ind., Cath
olic. Protestant and Jewish
religious leaders issued a joint
statement urging support of
the court's decision.
Dr. Robert A. Cook, presi
dent of the National Associ
ation of Evangelicals, dis
agreed strongly with th
ruling. .
"The Supreme Court ruling
against prayer and Bible read
ing as devotional exercises in
the schools marks a sad de
parture from this nation's
heritage under God," he said.
For Fast,
Efficient Service
Ship It
LASHE
to or from
Oakland, San
Fnncisco, Los Angeles
and Other California
Points
Call
Jack Fitzgerald
773-7761
B3
iv Vsy f-x
fi
Would j ou be as casual when you pick insurance?
Perhaps you already have without knowing it.
When you buy insurance direct from an in
surance company, you arc, in effect, gambling
that you will select enough ol the right kind of
insurance to fully protect yourself against
serious loss. If your coverage falls short, you
may be wide open to staggering law suits.
Tn make sure you get exactly the right kind
of insurance tailored to your personal or busi
ness needs... and in the right amount, see an
independent insurance agent or broker. He
keeps your insurance up-to-date tells you
about new and better policies being developed
and assists you if you have a loss.
For insurance protection from a strong, relia
ble company. ..one that pays claims promptly
and fairly... ask your independent agent about
The Atlantic Companies.
Men of judgment buy Atlantic insurance
men of integrity sell it.
THE ATLANTIC COMPANIES
ATLANTIC MUTUAL-CENTENNIAL
Equitable Building Portland
Paci6c Division Office: 255 California St, San Francisco
Tht agents below represent not only The Atlantic Companies, but also many other well-known insurance companies.
Because these men are independent, they will provide you with tht best professional advice and service
when you buy car, home, or business insurance ... and when you have a claim.
SECURITY INSURANCE AGENCY 48 Hawthorne Avenue, Medtera, Oregon 773-7325
Your ATLANTIC COMPANY Representative
in Medford is . . .
SECURITY
INSURANCE
48 HAWTHORNE
AIL FORMS
INSURANCE
lswrt(i 1 AGENT
limy tee jCnn
T
Al Potter, Chris Barker,
Hank Mart, Bill Salade'
"Insurance is Security"
PHONE
773-7325