BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Evening Star, Issue 19584, 16 June 1927, Page 14

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The Bible in Schools Bill is not yet law. In at least two of our piimary schools, however, Bible lessons arc held daily in school time. These Bible classes are compulsory—at least,, the children have no option but to l' s l' en to the gentlemen who visit the schools for this puhposo. I refer to Caversham School and Arthur Street School. There ma.v bo others. If this 'is the case,, those responsible are guilty of a very high-hauded action. Thoy virtually arrogate for themselves an authority higher than that of Parliament. Surely in such a controversial matter they would have been better advised to wait until a decision had been arrived at. . Personally, I oppose tho Bill in its entirety. \Ve have many compulsory things in New Zealand, and now we are to have compulsory religion.. A much better scheme would bo tho introduction of moral training, not necessarily on the lines laid down in an article in to-day’s ‘Star.’ but including the virtues enumerated there. There is considerable danger that if this Bill becomes law similar ones will be mooted, till finally we have a repetition of the famous ‘ Blue Laws of Pennsylvania. Our spiritual guardians will never legislate us into heaven. That way has failed, and will fail, even ns their present method w failing. I refer to the decline of organised religion. I hope some explanation for this earn imposition is forthcoming.—l am, etc., June 14, Ccakion. [The secretary of the Otago Education Board stated this morning that nearly all the schools in Dunedin have Biblo lessons. The board’s regulations lay down that the hours for school instructions should be five hours daily for five days a week, and it is. prescribed that where an arrangement is approi ed by the School Committee for tho imparting of religious instruction one day a week the number of hours of secular instruction need not exceed four and a-half. That is to say, that on the Bible lesson day, instead of beginning at 9 a.m., the school does not open until D. 30 a.m., so that Bible instruction is not given in school hours. The Bible lessons are not compulsory.—Ed. E.S.J