BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18541, 29 April 1922, Page 13

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. ,