STORM RAISED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 85, 10 April 1943, Page 7

STORM RAISED

PROFESSOR'S VIEWS

RELIGION AND EDUCATION <0.C.) SYDNEY, April 7. A big argument was caused during I the week-end by remarks concerning religion and education delivered at the New Education Fellowship by Professor John Anderson, Professor of Philosophy at Sydney University. Declaring that teachers should resent the introduction of religion into the curriculum, he stated: , v , "Religious doctrines are a direct attack and assault upon a child's common ;sense. When religious instruction ■• is combined with other instruction the effect can only be one of uncertainty. The child either becomes credulous, without a proper; appreciation of evidence, or he becomes cynical and given to humbug. In any case, religious instruction prevents the . child ,£rom becoming a solid and critical thinker. If a child is forced to swallow doctrines of a religious nature, it will undermine his understanding of things in general. "The teaching of religion has an important political character, because it promotes an extension, of credulity, which is a very desirable thing from the point of view of the ruling order. It spreads the habit of submission, which induces people to accept authority without questioning." The N.S.W. Minister for Public Works, Mr. Cahill, who as such, of course, is not concerned with education, said he would "use his influence to ensure that this man, holding a position in a State subsidised university, is not allowed to affront public opinion." Arouse Public Debate In reply, Professor Anderson said: "I have before now combated the view that in making grants to the University the State purchases the opinion of University teachers. It is the business of a university to see that all views, orthodox and unorthodox, get a hearing, and are critically considered. I may add that it is peculiarly the business of a philosopher 'to affront public opinion,' or, as Shaw has it, 'to call the righteous to repentance.'" "Yes, I am an atheist," said the professor in reply to a question. The matter was debated in the State Parliament yesterday on an urgent motion by Rev. D. P. Macdonald, Independent, member for Mosman, who until he went into Parliament was Presbyterian minister there. On his motion Parliament unanimously carried the following resolution:—"That Professor Anderson's statements are a travesty of the Christian religion, and are calculated to undermine the principles of the constitution of the Christian state. That this House should bring the statements under the notice of the University Senate." Mr. Macdonald said: "The recognition of Almighty God is definitely laid down in the Commonwealth Constitution. Any remarks subversive of our Christian constitution demand repudiation by this House. The.Opposition Leader (Mr. Mair) and the Countrv party Leader (Mr, Bruxner) also bitterly attacked Professor Anderson. "Prejudice and Repression" Replying to this last night, Professor Anderson said: "It was a pitiful performance, unworthy of the pettiest rural council. It was motivated by prejudice and the spirit of repression. This is the body that some think should" have greater control over education. It has no conception of the spirit and* conditions of education "Most contemptible of all are the sentiments of Mr. Bruxner. With the whole apparatus of orthodoxy on his side, he fears the influence of one man. Nothing better could be expected of the U.A.P. and the U.C.P. It is extremely regrettable that Labour should cringe before the religious vote, and go back on the principle of freedom of discussion." In an editorial this morning, headed "A Witch Hunt in 1943 A.D.," the Daily Telegraph says:—"The Leader of the Opposition has never been so eloquent as when he asked for the sacking of this professor. Some may wonder why, in the cause of Christian principles, Mr. Mair was so much less eloquent, when in office and since, about the surely equal enormity of slums. * "The Appeal to Reason' 1 "But. the point at issue is whether in New South Wales a man may still speak what is in his mind, even though every other man in the community may disagree with him. Professor Anderson expressed an opinion. Opinions are a subject for debate. If they are false opinions, debate will demolish them. That, anyway, is the theory of democracy, which substitutes for the rack of the Inquisition, and castor oil, the concentration camp and economic terrorisation of the totalitarian State, the appeal to reason. "When teachers are afraid to-open their mouths for fear of offending orthodoxy, and orthodoxy is defined by the clique of politicians who happen to have a majority at the moment, we will certainly bid a lasting farewell to freedom—of speech, thought, action, and religion as well." The committee of the New Education Fellowship, last night issued the following statement: —"Professor John Anderson's lecture, Press reports of which have been the subject of attacks made in Parliament to-day was one of a course of four lectures on m Education.' Our committee strongly protests against any attempt to attack Professor Anderson's civil rights, under a democracy, of expressing his private views in a private capacity to a voluntary audience of thinking people. This he has courageously done, and for this he is no more to be censured or victimised than writers like Wells, Freud, or Einstein, who have expressed similar view in writing." Sydney University Senate decided to ask Professor Anderson to submit a full account of his statement.