EVOLUTION IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 185, 3 May 1929, Page 11

EVOLUTION IN SCHOOLS

Sir, —“Evolutionist” evades my point regarding the teaching of evolution in our State schools. My point is this: The secularists opposed the Religious Exercises Bill because, so they said, it violated the principle of State neutrality in religious matters. Therefore, if they have any respect for consistency, they ought to support the protest of the fundamentallists against the teaching of evolution by the authority of the State, as such teaching would quite obviously be a violation of neutrality. “Evolutionist” recognises that evolution'flatly contradicts the creed of the fundamentalists. He admits that it would be a departure from neutrality to teach it in our schools; but he contends that neutrality “in an absolute sense does not, and cannot exist.” This means that he has no use for neutrality, except as an anti-religious weapon. For him, neutrality does not exist when its existence will not fit in with his personal opinions. Has no one but a secularist the right to have a conscience? A statement by the Minister for Education on this question of “evolution in schools” would be welcomed. It is overdue. It would also be interesting to have the opinions of the secretary of the Educational Institute, and of Professors Hunter and Mackenzie. Why are they all so silent? It is not necessary for me to comment on “Evolutionist’s” obsolete mid-Victorinn views regarding science and religion. They are quite irrelevant. —I am, etc., x NORMAN BURTON. Auckland, April 30.