BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1933, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Your correspondent “H.K.8.” once more waves the banner of the Bible in schools on the outward wall of revelation, which he puts before education. If his argument is sound why educate at all? Why not give buckets of revelation, which he infers the public school teacher should essay.

Ergo, if a public school teacher is an atheist, how would he explain the story about Cain’s wife, for instance. “H.R.B. ” tells us that if the Bible is taught in schools everything will be well, as the State will teach religion, creating a State church, so to speak, to which I strenuously object. It is the State’s duty to teach that 2 and 2 make 4; faith and dogma belong to the churches. Now, sir, I do not object. to any denomination teaching the tenets of its faith outside the State schools; let them, like the Catholic church, run their own schools. It is very unfair to ask that body to contribute a double system of taxation to teach the various denominations’ tenets as well as its own. The' Bible has been taught in schools in the State of New South Wales for the last f>o years, and there is more crime committed there than in any other part. There are more “Bolshies” to the square mile - there than anywhere else. “H.R.8.” says truly, that the unemployed are having a bad time. I cordi-

ally agree. Now, sir, we know what Christ meant when He said: “To him that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance, and to him that hath not shall be taken away that which ho hath.” The world is bursting with over-production, and lie that hath not has taken away from him the right to work and the power to purchase from the fellow who “hath the abundance. ” “H.E.B, ” also avers that the Sunday school 'has done much to make the children think of their fast approaching end. Over the radio every Sunday are the various “Uncles, ’ 5 who address the children of the world in their especial .brand of faith. The various churches also air their eloquence and prayers until it becomes painful to listen to. Why, then, advocate the Bible in schools? Edward Bellamy, in his book “Looking Backward,’ ’ written 50 years ago, predicted that wo could tune in any church and it is happening today., What more does any religious enthusiast want? I am, etc,, CARLTON HOBBS.