Fraternity-Testvériség, 1967 (45. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1967-03-01 / 3. szám
^\jJouth tSpeahs: CONFLICTS IN OUR WORLD by Don Swanson The author of this article is a high school student and member of the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He delivered this short sermon on one of the Youth Sundays. We are glad to give publicity to his views because we believe that they represent those of the majority of our young people. Let’s hear the voice of those young men who are rarely in the news since they do not demonstrate, are not delinquents and do not burn their draft cards. (Eszenyi) I’m going to talk about conflicts in our world. There are two major conflicts in the news, but I’m sure you could name many more. The two to which I refer are the war in Vietnam and the civil rights movement. The present top news stories are the death of the astronauts and the end of exams, but the war in Vietnam and the civil rights movement are in our minds as American citizens. Although these conflicts aren’t directly affecting you (except your pocketbooks) they are for the betterment of mankind, and as far as I am concerned, the improvement of people’s lives is worth more than money. But is it worth the lives of others? This question is involved in the current debate on Vietnam. This debate is in part political and therefore I know little about it. However, the war in Vietnam, I feel, should be supported because it is, in a broad sense, a war between our democratic way of life and a communistic way. Whether you think there are other motives is for you to decide. One thing we as Americans don’t realize is how lucky we are to live in the United States, a land which developed the idea of democracy in the modern world. The very people who demonstrate against the war in Vietnam would be the first to complain if our country became communistic. These demonstrators are the ones who say that the Vietnamese War is immoral. While they haven’t been there, and in some cases refuse to go, American soldiers can’t understand why the demonstrators feel as they do. I’m not saying that war is right, but there are many things wrong with the world and to single out the Vietnamese War is wrong. If war is necessary to keep the greatest amount of peace in the world, then we should take these steps, even if it means to do something that some declare to be unchristian. For as Paul said in his Letter to the Ephsians: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities; against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness; against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Now, from Vietnam to our own shores. Yes, there is conflict here, too. One of these conflicts is not headline news today, but throughout the past few summers it has been an important news item. I am, of course referring to the civil rights movement. It might be described as a minority group speaking out on what they feel is wrong. It is found in the North as well as the South, in the East and the West. We in the suburbs don’t see too much demonstrating, but it is brought to our attention in the newspapers and in magazines. But what is the present position of the American Negro? At least in our general area. Negroes have the same rights as we do, but are looked upon as a lower class economically. Those who demonstrate seem to be the radicals or those influenced by “Black Power” groups. However, most Negroes I know, which are very few, are the best natured people I know. They are able to bring some humor into this sometimes dull and dreary world. Negroes aren’t usually as well dressed as whites, but they certainly Introduction Of Our Field Force This is to notify the members of our Field Force, including our Branch Managers, that we are in the process of compiling the biographical data as we promised to do. Since this work takes longer than anticipated, we will begin publication of them in the next issue. However, to proceed as planned, I am again requesting that those, who have not yet sent in the questionnaires and pictures, do so immediately. aren’t looked upon as menaces to society. Most negro students are well liked because of what they are and not because of what they own. Whether it be singing, dancing, or athletics, they are able to show what they really are by using their own talents. But as far as prejudice goes, there is strong resentment against Negroes in many places in the United States. This has been shown in Mississippi and Alabama, as well as in Chicago and Los Angeles. This so-called “white backlash” may have been created by the enormous amount of legislation passed recently. This has raised the hopes of the Negro in our society. These laws have given the Negro as well as many other Americans the possibilities for a better life. Of course laws aren’t enough. The only time when the American Negro will really have “civil rights” is when his fellow Americans don’t just tolerate him, but accept him as their fellow man, and feel that he is an equal, and not an inferior. Only when white people shall feel a brotherly love for Negroes will our country really be the democracy imagined by our forefathers. I have presented only two conflicts among the many that exist in our world today. These ideas are constantly in my mind along with my personal problems. That statement may sound like I think all the time, but I really don’t. What I am saying is there are both good and evil and mixtures of the two in the world. As Christians, we are caught between these two extremes and decide between them. Journey s l searched the world for calm content; The search led high, the search led far; It led to where a baby lay Beneath a radiant star. I searched the world for living truth; The search was broad, the search was long; It led to Him beside a sea Before a listening throng. / searched the world for perfect love; The search was deep, the search was wide; It led me to a wind-swept hill, To One they crucified. I searched the world for joyous faith; Into a garden led the way, l found it at His empty tomb On Resurrection Day! —B. S. Bays. 9
