BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 251, 26 November 1914, Page 6

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS

To the Editor of THE STJN.

Sir, —I do uot agree with your correspondent, Mr J. A. Flesher, that there is a vast amount of ignorance amongst the political candidates regarding the Bible-iri-Seliools question. From what 1 can see, most of them adopt a com-mon-sense attitude and ban the suggested referendum. , Mr "Flesher's attitude savours very much of the atmosphere of the law courts; bcause he wants a certain course pursued he would summon all opponents to the bar to produce evidence why he should not have his way. If Mr Flesher chose, he could issue a writ, against me, charging me with bigamy with violence, and I would be forced—aye, forced—to employ counsel to attend the court to refute the charge. Mr Flesher would apply the same methods to the schools and religion question. He wants the Bible there, so I must summon my forces to a referendum to prove that I do not want it. It may cost me pounds and infinite trouble to secure my support, but that matters nought to the Bible party. If they want the Bible in the schools, let them produce some evidence that it is really necessary. So far I have not seen one tittle of evidenfje in support of the movement; nothing but a series of wild screeehings that "we"want the Bible." If they want the Bible, why don't they teach it in their own homes? That is the proper place for Bible lessons. . But perhaps these good people are too busy to

worry about their children and the Bible personally. Mr Flesher can afford to send his bairns to secondary schodlir and to the university; I cannot, and ail the time my children spend at school t want utilised in the absorption of use' ful, worldly knowledge. We have' heavily endowed churches, which pay no rates or taxes, to carry on religious work, and they have their Sunday schools, where people who really desireGospel lessons for their children earn get them; so why be hysterical"about pushing the Book into the State schools,, with their wide conflict of religions?" Fancy Mr Flesher telling scriptural' stories to a class of children composed, of Anglicans, Jews, Roman Catholics,, half-caste .Chinese,, spiritualists, free thinkers, and so on' v No'.. Sir, it's like dividing 4 by 5; it can't be done. Our educational system is supposed to be' free, secular, and compulsory." It is; neither the former nor the'l'atter .just now, but for goodness' sake don't let. us burst the whole show up. Let those* who want religion imparted to their children send them to the proper place, the Sunday School-'—or teach it themselves, and not try to dodge their obligations and push them oil to the poor, overloaded State.—l am, etc.,

THE DEFEfNDANT,