The Negro's church,.

156

The Negro's Church

74.7 per cent., are in favor of general recreational activities.
When it was asked whether dancing, card-playing and
moving-pictures were approved or disapproved, 590 replies
revealed three distinctive attitudes. Dancing was disapproved
in 72 per cent. of the replies; 8 per cent. of them favored it;
and 20 per cent. maintained a neutral position. Card-playing
was opposed in 70 per cent. of the replies; 10.6 per cent.
approved it; and 19.4 per cent. assumed a neutral attitude.
Moving-pictures were opposed by 62 per cent., and approved
by 14 per cent.; while 24 per cent. assumed a neutral attitude.
Light is thrown on these attitudes by the reasons given in
228 of the replies. In 72 replies the reason stated for disapproval was the possibility that cards, dancing, and movingpictures would lead to gambling and immorality. Thirty
held that these things were against the rules of the church,
and twenty-eight that they were all right if supervised.
Dancing, cards, and movies were ordinarily either sinful,
worldly, traditionally bad, or at least worthy of condemnation.
Other attitudes, and reasons given for the positions held, suggested that they were: "a personal matter," "of no social
value," "against the scriptures," "of a nature to lessen the interest of individuals in the church," and "to be taken moderately." Others who replied, spoke of offering a substitute
for these activities; some said that the people do much worse
things; and, that they must have amusements. One reply,
which indicated complete resignation, was, "you cannot stop
them."
Obviously the church is in a period of transition in thought
and practice regarding the activities of dancing, card-playing
and the movies. That the movies are the more acceptable
seemed evident from conversation with ministers and church
people; as well as from the 590 replies, 14 per cent. of which
approved movies and 24 per cent. of which were neutral.
The attitude toward dancing and card-playing was far more
unfavorable.