A short time ago, a bulletin called "The Fiery Cross Bulletin" was presented to me. I was invited to write to "Box 273, Marion, Indiana" for more information, but the bulletin supplied all the information I wanted. The bulletin provided "An Introduction to the United Klans of America, Inc., Knights of The Ku Klux Klan."

Now I am not much of a "joiner" anyway, but by the time I had finished reading the bulletin I had decided the "Klan" was definitely not for me. Comments regarding the Klan would not be in order in such a paper as this, except that the before described bulletin sought to relate the Klan to the Bible.

Conditions of Membership

A membership application blank was included in the eight page bulletin given to me. It stated that I was eligible for membership "if you are a Native-born Loyal United States Citizen, 21 years old, a White Gentile Person of Temperate Habits, with Christian beliefs, and believe in White Supremacy and Americanism."

I also was informed that "The United Klans of America, Inc., is a Legally Recognized National Organization, and is absolutely Non-subversive with no criminal accusations against it. The United Klans should not be confused with any so-called or self-styled Ku Klux Klan." Unfortunately, the bulletin did not inform me what the differences are between "The United Klans Of America, Inc., Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" and the "so-called or self-styled Ku Klux Klan."

In order to be a member of the "Knights of the Ku Klux Klan," one must "believe in God and the tenets of the Christian religion," "believe that a church that is not grounded on the principles of morality and justice is a mockery to God and to man," "believe in the eternal separation of Church and State," and "believe in white supremacy." The bulletin states that the Klan does "not believe in mob violence. . ."

"What The Klan Stands For"

In an effort to induce "Joiners," the bulletin proceeded to state some of the things the "Klan" stands for, and some of the meanings of their symbols. The bulletin states that the Klan "is a fraternal order ... honest in purpose, noble in sentiment, and practical in results that should command the hearty respect of all real Americans throughout the nation." "It is an association of Real Men who believe in being something, in doing something worthwhile, and who are in all things 100 percent pure American."

Religious Significance

It was news to me that the Ku Klux Klan even claimed any religious significance. But according to this bulletin, they think of themselves almost like a church. Under the heading "Why We Burn The Cross," the following statement is made:

"Out of the wonderful story of the sacred pages of this old Book Divine comes the sad, sweet story of Calvarys rugged but Holy Cross. This old cross is a Symbol of Sacrifice and Service, and a sign of the Christian Religion. Sanctified and made holy nearly nineteen centuries ago by the suffering and blood of fifty million martyrs who died in the most holy faith, it stands in every Klavern of the United Klaus of America, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan as a constant reminder that Christ is our criterion of character, and His teachings our rule of life-blood-bought, holy, sanctified and sublime."

They state that they have taken the cross, "once a sign of ignominy, disgrace and shame," and have "transformed it into a symbol of Faith, Hope and Love." Did it ever occur to you that the Ku Klux Klan had this concept when they burned a cross to scare some poor man out of town?

Since they burn the cross, they explain its symbolism in this language: "We have added the fire to signify that Christ Is The Light Of The World. As light drives away the darkness and gloom so knowledge of the truth dispels ignorance and superstition. As fire purifies gold, silver and precious stones, but destroys the dross, wood, hay and stubble; so by fire of Calvary's cross we mean to purify and cleanse our virtues by burning our vices with the fire of His Sword. Who can look upon this sublime symbol, or sit in its sacred, holy light without being inspired with a holy desire and determination to be a better man? By This Sign We Conquer."

Have you recently heard anything more blasphemous of the true and spiritual significance of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Paul stated he could not glory, "save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14). And I might mention incidentally, Paul also said, "For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. . ." (Phil. 3:18).

"Why We Wear The Hood"

They, state that many cry "take off" the hood." But, they reply, "They don't know what they say. They do not understand why we wear it and what it means. 'If they only knew.'"

They do not admit the hood is worn out of cowardice. Instead, they affirm, "The secret

of our power lies in the secrecy of our membership. We are a great secret organization to aid the officers of the land and we can do our best work when we are not known to the public."

Further, the hood also is said to be a "symbol of Unselfishness. With the hood we hide our individuality and sink ourselves into the sea of Klankraft.... Who can look upon a multitude of white robed Klansmen without thinking of the equality and unselfishness of that throng of white robed saints in the Glory Land?" I must confess that this has not been quite my thought when I reflected upon a band of hooded men who sought to take the law in their own hands, or to intimidate by threat their fellowmen.

Their Closing Remarks

As they seek to put the "close" on a prospective member, they sound as though they might be seeking to get one to obey the Gospel, and to be added to the Lord's blood-bought Body. "Thus with our symbols we seek to emphasize and impress the sacred, sublime and holy principles of Klankraft. With God as our Father, Christ as our criterion, the Bible as our Guide, the cross as our inspiration, and the Flag as our protection, we mean to march on to a triumphant victory for the principles of right in The United Klans of America Knights of the Ku Klux Klan."

Having read all they have to say to persuade me to "join-up," I still must say "No, Thank You." Before, I had thought of the Klan as some type of terrorist organization which seeks to impose its Gentile White Supremacy by brute force and night-time cross burnings, and in some instances backed by severe beatings or lynchings. However, this bulletin seeks to dignify such lawless dealings as some type of religion, but the organization is built upon perversion of scriptural truth. One who believes in "White Supremacy" could not pay attention to Paul who said, "For there is no respect of persons with God" (Rom. 2: 11). One who believes there is special merit in being a Gentile must have forgotten statements of scripture. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6). "There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).

Rather than to seek to glorify God in the Masonic Lodge, in some denomination, or perhaps in the Ku Klux Klan, I believe I will just stick with Paul's statement in Eph. 3:21: "unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen." And to that, I add my own Amen!

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XV: 29, pp. 3-5
May 27, 1971