BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 209, 18 August 1927, Page 9

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor). Sir t —ls there any need for all this fuss about the Bible in schools Surely the introduction of sound ethical training should serve tu educate our young people in regard to morals. Those who wish to bring their children up in any religious faith can instruct them at home or send them to* whichever of the numerous Sabbath and Sunday schools appeals to them.

If the inculcation of moral precepts is all that is desired why choose the Bible in preference to other books which deal effectively with questions of morality? Many people believe that this Book is no more inspired than any other of an ethical nature. Why not agitate for systematic ethical instruction in schools? The word ethics should not arouse opposition from the members of any creed, sect, or school of thought. A time set apart for the study of morals let our children have by all means. Let them learn something of the moral teachings’ of Christ, Buddha, Epicetetus, Marcus Aurelius, and the host of other philosophers and moral reformers. But let them have whatever is useful in those teachings delivered to them with the authority of modern science. How about a simple text book containing the cream of the teaching of all these men—points upon which they all agree, and which are in agreement with modern conceptions of right and wrong?

But 1 fear this would not suit those who make a fetish of the Bible. There is too great a tenedncy on the pari, of many Christians to force their belief upon others. Should the Bible in Schools Act be carried there is every likelihood that other Acts will follow, until finally the teaching of evolution in our universities wil be prohibited. This hypothesis, the teaching of which has been prohibited in a few church-ridden States in U.S.A., has proved of incalculable value in advancing scientific knowledge m all branches.

Do not let us allow religious bias to cause us to fix upon the teachings of anyone man or book to the exclusion of others. The children of those who are indifferent to religion can be cdu cated in moral matters by the State, and make their own choice in regard to religion when they are old enough to reason about such matters. The policy of the State educational system should be the training of good citizens, and not tne saving of souls, the necessity for which is problematical. —I am ,etc. COMMONSENSE. Hastings, 17/8/27.