BISHOP CLEARY AND THE BIBLE LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15822, 22 July 1913, Page 3

BISHOP CLEARY AND THE BIBLE LEAGUE.

TO THE 7.D1T08. Sib,— Playing on an ambiguity inherent in the word " religion," Bishop Cleary insists that in Australian schools tho teaching of morals by the State teacher is tho teaching of religion. Indeed, moral instruction is officially called "religious instruction." But calling moral instruction religious instruction docs not make it ' religious instruction in the sense which alone concerns Bishop _ Clcary's. aigumei.i— namely, " tho distinctive tenets or doctrines of any religious society or denomination." These are the words employed by "The Queensland Education Act, 1910." in expressly forbidding the State teacher to give religious instruction. Similarly, the Western Australia departmental regulations, .1908, providing for Scripture lessons, say that "teachers may use any version of the Bible which they possess,'" but " must confine themselves to the narrative and "the moral teaching, and refrain strictly from inculcating any denominational views." These limitations are of the essence of the Australian system. Matter of common knowledge, I should have assumed that they were known to Bishop Cleary. He also should know, or if he does not I must tell him, that whatever may be done or not done in Australia, what we propose for Kew Zealand is that the teaching of religion in his sense of the word shall bo entirely outside the State school teacher's sphere. The objective of the Bible in State Schools League, set forth on ite card of membership, is this:—

System of religiouo instruction in State schools prevailing in Australia: Lessons read in school hours by the children themselves, from Scripture books provided by the Education Department; State School teachers superintending tho reading, but not giving, sectarian or dogmatio teaching. Visits during school hours by ministers or accredited teachers from the churches, instructing children in the faith of their fathers. Conscience clause by which the parent has complete control of the child's religious instruction in the public school.

It will be for the legislature in re-casting the Education Act to limit the use of the Scripture reading book to the teaching of morals, history, and literature, putting beyond cavil the State teacher's relation to religious instruction. If the league system comes in, tho State school teacher, in common with all other Gchool teachers the world over, will teach religion as morality —the conduct of a good life. In that sense ho is teaching religion now; in no other sense will he teach religion at all.—l am, etc., A. R. Fitchett. All Saints' Parsonage, July 21.