“UNDESIRABLE FICTION”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 10

“UNDESIRABLE FICTION”

a aw a *vn TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The Biblical instruction that “ Maran-atha ” would give to “ A Son ” is just what one would expect from one who has so often given evidence of being chained by the neck to out-of-date stands ards of thought and conduct. It is one of the main curses of every generation that youth listens far too much to the instruction and laws of its parents. There has been far too much instruction in what to think and do, and not enough educa; tion into how to think and act. There is a world of difference between instruction and education. Progress is only possible by actually forsaking the instructions and laws of our parents, who really are of a past generation. If no generation had thus departed, then there would never have been any progress. The instructions and laws of parents have indeed heen chains about the necks of every generation, and instead of being an “ ornament of grace,” have been shackles of shame. No parents, in the light of civilisation and progress, have any moral right or duty to put chains about the necks of their children by issuing to them instructions and laws that are not to be forsaken. Such conceptions of parental infallibility, and ideas of static social conditions, indicate a lamentable appreciation iu these days of the nature of evolutionary social and intellectual change. I thoroughly agree with the letter of “A Son,” and admire his attitude in disagreeing with “A Parent.” It should be the pride of all parents to inculcate the critical and independent attitude in their children, to “ educate ” them to think for themselves, and not to “instruct” them what to think and obey. If the biblical attitude of “ Maran-atha ” were not so prevalent, parents would know that their children were growing up in such strength of mind, saneness of outlook and independence of character that they need have no fear about the censorious and dictatorial attitude of those who live in the mental atmosphere of the past.—-I am. etc., Pkokanum VuLGtis. Dunedin, November 2