R.R. Clark in Greensboro News
“One thing I never could account for is the venom and hatred of people with very strong religious convictions,” remarked Mr. Darrow, speaking for the defense in the Tennessee case. That attitude of religionists has been a puzzle before Mr. Darrow’s time and will remain one, seeing that the religion of Jesus of Nazareth is based on love and His followers are enjoined to pray for those who despitefully use them. But theories are not lacking to account for the hatred, the venom, so often manifested. There is more downright viciousness in a religious row, for instance, than in any other sort of disturbance. But it is possible that the good haters who are credited with strong religious conventions have the convictions without the religion. Or it may be that their hatred of sin is so intense that it unconsciously extends to the sinner, notwithstanding the divine injunction to “love your enemies.” Moreover, sinners of the Darrow type are often given, out of sheer deviltry, to the baiting of the believers, and one would have to be a little more than human if he didn’t show some of the human emotions when unbelievers arrogantly assail all he holds dear and taunt him with ignorance and bigotry. All of which is offered as an explanation, not as an excuse.
And it must be remembered, too, that while hatred has no part in the religion of the Nazarene, righteous indignation has. The Great Exemplar manifested that on numerous occasions and His denunciation of evil and evil doers would be called “fierce” in the language of today. No doubt the Chicago lawyer thinks he is very broadminded, but in true agnostic style he arrogantly and offensively assails religion whenever opportunity offers, and then he is surprised if resentment is shown. Perhaps the religionist should turn the other cheek, but sometimes that is more than flesh and blood can stand. The trouble with Mr. Darrow and his kind is that the assailing provincialism, narrowness, they are frequently as narrow and as provincial as the most remote ruralite, but they are so conceited they can’t vision their own short comings.
From page 3 of the Concord Daily Tribune, July 21, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-07-21/ed-1/seq-3/
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