Norman Thomas

From Philosopedia

Thomas, Norman (Mattoon) (1884–1968)

America's model pacifist and Socialist leader, Thomas studied at Bucknell and had a course with Woodrow Wilson at Princeton, from which he graduated in 1905. After studying theology at Union Theological Seminary, in 1911 he became pastor in New York City of an Italian Protestant church, the East Harlem Presbyterian Church. In 1931 he demitted, withdrawing from the ministry.

Thomas opposed World I In 1918, calling it an "immoral, senseless struggle among rival imperialisms."

He led the Socialist Party in 1926, was the Socialist candidate for Governor of New York in 1924, and was the party's six-time candidate for President: in 1928, 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, and 1948.

Thomas was one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and from 1921 to 1922 he was editor of The Nation. With Paul Blanshard, he wrote What’s the Matter with New York? (1932).

Democratic socialism was the term Thomas used, and he was eloquent in distinguishing how socialism differed from communism. Like many intellectuals who had admired the Russian Revolution, he came to speak out against the communism that was practiced, resulting in Leon Trotsky's several attacks on Thomas.

Ever the pacifist, he opposed America's entry into World War II, spoke out against fascism, and was one of the few leaders to oppose the internment of Japanese Americans following the Pearl Harbor attack.

Although thought to be a Protestant, Thomas attended New York’s Community Church (Unitarian), identifying with its stand that Jesus was human and that there is no Heaven or Hell. He was present at John Dewey's funeral there in 1952.

Correspondence

Asked to go on record with his views of humanism, he responded:

Asked in 1956 about humanism, he responded:

Thomas, one of the outstanding orators of his time, shared Paul Blanshard’s criticism of Catholicism and organized religious groups within Protestantism.

BOOKS BY THOMAS

• The Conscientious Objector in America (1923)
• Socialism of Our Time (1929)
• Human Exploitation (1934)
• Appeal to the Nations (1947)
• Socialist's Faith (1951)
• The Test of Freedom (1954)
• The Prerequisite for Peace (1959)
• Great Dissenters (1961)
• Socialism Reexamined (1963)