Education and Crime

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 9

Education and Crime

Sir, —In his question on the above, “Frank White” raises an issue of grave importance when he asks why the best seller, the Bible, is banned from the State schools.

The public school, as a State institution, supported by the taxes of all the people who have equal rights in their management is, despite the fact that the promotion of Christianity is the best way to ensure morality, not the place for Bible readings, for the children are from the homes of Protestants, Catholics, Jews and people of no religion at all, who differ and are often hotly antagonistic in religious matters. Therefore the Bible could not be introduced without infringing the equal rights of some, or with perfect justice to' every citizen for. though it is the Word of God, and should be accepted by all, many refuse to accept some of its plainest utterances and object to their children hearing such—which is their right so to do. Those who advocate the Bible in schools presumably believe its teachings. Who, does it say, should inculcate morality? Deut. vi. 6,7, plainly states; “These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, ete.” The words referred to were the ten commandments quoted in chapter five. The instruction is explicit and unequivocal and shows that the teaching of the Scriptures to their children at home, be it noted, is the parents’ duty, whether they perform it or not: and it is inconsistent for them to plead lack of time, ability or inclination in this their most important duty. It is the business of the chufieh and its leaders to promote morality in Bible ways and not invent some new wholesale way of saving souls while neglecting known duties and shirking untransferable responsibilities. There was religion before there were State schools and it can thrive without their assistance still.. The ungodliness and crime in this world is because parents themselves have ceased to be truly pious. The State may educate children to be citizens but not saints — that is committed to other hands. —I am, etc., H. 0.8. Wellington, October 13.