BOOK CRITICISED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 218, 14 September 1944, Page 6

BOOK CRITICISED

"MAN AND HIS WORLD"

DISCUSSION BY SYNOD

Condemnation of Dr. Main* waring's work, "Man And His World" on the grounds of historical inaccuracy was expressed when the Auckland Anglican Synod continued its sitting this morning. The Bishop of Auckland, the Right Rev. W. J. Simkin, presided. Dean Fancourt moved tnat the synod protest to the Minister of Education against the inclusion of "Man And His World" in the syllabus of books recommended for secondary schools, inasmuch as the foundation doctrine of the Christian faith, the Resurrection of Christ, was stated as having arisen through a rumour. According to criticisms of the book, it was supposed to be quite harmless and the teachings of Our Lord were presetned in a beautiful way, and placed on the highest plane. It had to be remembered, however, that, without the Resurrection, the Christian faith could not live. In the divinity of Christ lay the whole of the great doctrine 'of the Atonement and forgiveness of sins, and the certainity of future life in all its fullness. Attitude To Christianity "With the war," continued Dean Fancourt, "there has come a very great change over the masses oi people. Christianity is looked upon with a more favourable eye. Deep thinkers have come to the certain conclusion that we can no longer live without religion, and the best religion is that of Christianity. Yet these men the' idea that it doesn't matter about the doctrines of Christianity and that we can have a Christianity which is more like, the Christianity of the second commandment, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,' and the Golden Rule, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There is a trend to-day to a better suite of social conditions. One of the most powerful ways of improving conditions is by education, and that is the main purpose of the book. "The education authorities nave thrown into the education system that which will cause deep sectarian feeling, whereas the Bible, which is not a textbook in the eyes of the authorities, will not cause that sectarian feeling, because there is a general feeling for the Bible in schools, and the Roman Catholics have taken away their opposition." The motion was seconded by Mr. E. G. Cowell. The Rev. D. S. Miller said he sympathised with the tone of the motion, but he felt it would be unwise to pass it in its present form. Only two or three members of the Synod had been able to procure the book. ,He did not think it within the power of the Synod to pass judgment until it had seen the book. He moved an amendment that a committee of scholars be appointed to study the book and report to the standing committee their considered opinion.

"Historically Inaccurate" Mr. Miller added that he had read most of the book, and, in his opinion, it was inaccurate and historically untrue. "This is the book of an historically illiterate man who knows nothing of religious origins or developments,", he declared. The amendment was seconded by the Rev. E. Wright, who said that the resolution dealt with one particular aspect of Christian doctrine. In making an assessment of the book and laying a protest, the Synod must be sure of the foundation for such protest. The speaker felt that the foundation in the resolution was unsound. . , . x . . Mr. F. P. de L. Willis thought that the book, as far as it went, was beautifully written. It was not a vicious book. Its limitations were the limitations of want of knowledge. On the other hand, it was an approved textbook, and much mischief could be made in the hands of rationalistic teaching. ~,..,. „ Canon R. L. Connelly said that all the speakers had acknowledged that the book was inaccurate and did not give a true conception of the history of man, yet a committee was to be set up to determine whether it was right to put- the book into the hands of children. Dean Fancourt said that he would be very glad to accept the amendment as the purpose of his motion was merely to bring the matter forward. Permission being granted to withdraw the motion the amendment was put and carried, with the addition that the standing committee take such action as it-deemed necessary. The committee to study .the book was appointed as follows: Dean Fancourt, Archdeacon Houghton, Canon Lush, Archdeacon' Partridge and the Rev. D. S. Miller.