BIBLE IN SCHOOLS
QUESTION INTRODUCED ,AT STNOD.-‘|i|
(Pn United Fuas Association.) 9 AUCKLAND, April . 28. Tile question of the Bible-in-sbhools waN : V S introduced at the Synod by Canoir.-B-' E.-’p James, who moved —“Hat the synods being“ 1 persuaded that the greater pari of citizens of .the dominion regard the lack -W of provision of religious instructiop jn. State 0E schools is a grievoUa loss to the%h3drerii’'K£ and to the community, calls for sudramenjment of the Education Act that Bible instruction. according to the London <s&iifty ';'j Council or some other agreed syllabus, shall.;':: be given in Sltate schools during ordinary 5 school hours by school teachers, subject to '-t conscientious objections of parents or teachers to this instruction bcin’g • always £ respected, and that there be no statutory ' ‘right of entry’ to ministers of religion or others to give religious teaching, in schools: where the proposed provision is made.” ■'s The mover said a change with respect JO[ '\\\ the early training of children fiaio 6o4<f over the temper" of the people, as evidenced by the support being given to the '•* fYoung Citizens’ lieague, and the.Cdesire:)* for a change. He thought they could hare -A had the Bible in, schools long agdCgSthe ordinary person could have been convinced ,| that it meant the Bible -in the school, and not the pastor in the school. He thought the right of entry was such-a poor 2j thing.that it was not worth bothering,about -t and reminded the synod that if th^ i right- v -:| of enjty were granted all denominations and • i fancy religions would have the right to ; ■ enter schools, and it would be utterly -wrong* f? to parade their denominational before the children. This could only make for sectarian friction. He felt that apyV'j objection to his,proposed schemewould fot '■ i* come from the teachers, of whom the minion had a right to be proud." 7 Teaching -v* was an art. and so few ministers' were:san«B|. ’if hed in that direction that so given would prove so unintelligent,' un-| 3 attractive, and poor that it would. mfiM,in?/' comparison with such subjects as geegrapiffi ll ., or history. The syllabus of the Londonf:! County Council provided for the" reading:/ of a portion of the Scriptures, which' wag'£f afterwards explained, whde provisions also made for the singing of a hymn." tainly the syllabus was not enough,?- 3TA f'j-f other denominations would also, tnjnk JoK' ;/ but it provided a good" solid foundation; mimJ 1 every church must build its own sup«sSf.j structure upon it. * -,-j r .?~ The motion was seconded by Mr. N" -.XpJ Burton, who stated that the right of was opposed by teachers. He quoted?s communications which showed that, the srs- 'I tem proposed by Canon James was very successfully in London, anil < a long way towards improving the Schools. No system of education, was plete that could not find room for religfoffi--Jo At this stage the synod went infer com- ~~i mittee. ,
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19220429.2.113
Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 18541, 29 April 1922, Page 13
Word Count
487BIBLE IN SCHOOLS Otago Daily Times, Issue 18541, 29 April 1922, Page 13
Using This Item
Allied Press Ltd is the copyright owner for the Otago Daily Times. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Allied Press Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.