THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Evening Star, Issue 11892, 21 May 1903, Page 3

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

~ A * a noting of the Tapanui branch of the Otago Educational Institute the follow mg resolution was adopted:—" That this branch of the Otago Educational Institute are of. opinion that the introduction of the Bible into the State schools would be opposed to the best interests of education, of fu « if te " and of reli '- , '°n itself, and for the following reasons:—(l) That the'syllabus is already overloaded. (2) It would lead committees to reject teachers who, for con scienrious reasons, were not prepared to take charee of the Bible lessons. The Institute hold that relieious beliefs should he no bar to State employment. (3)'lt would lead to a distinction being made in our schools between Protestant and Catholic children. In our schools all pupils should meet merely as children of the State, and the Institute believe that their ability so to meet for over twenty-five years has been of very great advantage to the State. (4) Tt would tend to establish the authority of the State to interfere in religious affairs, an rnterference which, m the opinion of the Institute, history plainly shows to have had evil results on both State and religion. (5) It would be a serious injustice to our Cathohc fellow-citizens, inasmuch as they would be compelled to pay for that which they cannot conscientiously approve of. (6) That fche Institute are of opinion that religious education should be given bv religious persons otherwise there is'a'danger of the Bible itself bein.c bron.-ht into contempt, and of a dislike" for it being created in the minds of the children." It was resolved that a copy -of. the resolution be sent to each of the branches of the Otaeo Educational Institute, with a request that, as the matter is one of great importance to teachers, the subject be discussed, and that the desirability of passing a similar resolution be taken into consideration; also that a copy be sent to the Committee of Management with a request that the subject be discussed at the forthcoming annual meeting.