Cinema: Protestants & Legion

Last week at its midwinter meeting the Presbytery of New York (representing 35,000 Presbyterians) plumped cautiously for the Legion of Decency. First the clergymen voted down (40-10-30) a proposal to commend the Roman Catholic Church for launching the Legion. Then they unanimously adopted a resolution which simply commended the Legion, "while not agreeing in all details" with its program. The Presbytery recommended that lists of approved films be posted on church bulletin boards, as is now done in Catholic churches.

Last week the National Lutheran Council, an organization representing seven major Lutheran bodies, became the Legion's first important Protestant ally. Speaking for 2,000,000 Lutherans, the Council met in Manhattan, heard a report praising the Legion, urged Lutherans to boycott "degrading" films.