RELIGION IN AMERICA

Hawera Star, Volume L, 4 March 1931, Page 5

RELIGION IN AMERICA

■- FREEDOM OF STUDY. CONTRAST WITH DOMINIONS. “It is only in backward countries like Australia and New Zealand that the study of religion cannot be pursued except under denominational purposes,” remarked Professor S. Angus, of Sydney, who reached Auckland last iweek on his return journey to Sydney from New York, wliere he has been engaged as a professor of theology. Professor Angus added that in the large classes before which he had lectured hardly any of the students were contemplating tiie Church as a profession, and most of them were taking theology purely as an educational subject. Professor Angus, who holds the chair of New Testament studies and history of theology in St. Andrew’s College, Sydney, recently completed the term ol an appointment as visiting professoi of religion in the Columbia University, Ne\v York, where he lectured in philosophy of religion. He also lectured at the Cornell University on the same subject. Commenting on the conditions in these two universities, Professor Angus said there was no comparison between them and the universities of Australia. The American institutions were richly endowed and thoroughly equipped, and immense sums of money were spent in the effort to obtain the best educational facilities for the students. There were a great many students of religion who were not divinity students in the sense in which the term would be used in this country. Religion was free from the handicap of denomination interest and occupied its rightful place as a cultural subject. "‘lt was a pleasure to'teach religious subjects under such conditions,” Professor Angus commented. ‘‘lt is easy to imagine the enthusiasm with which religioi" is taught when the teacher is 1 not under any creedal obligations.”