BIBLE READING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1476, 14 November 1881, Page 2

BIBLE READING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor of ike Hibald.)

Sift—, I notice by telegrams, and other information from different parts j of the colony, that the Bible in Schools is about to become a very troublesome question, and perhaps a conflict is about to take place between the advocates of the Bible in Schools, and the Secularists, who are opposed to it. I should very much like to know who are they who wish to enforce the reading of the Bible in our schools ; or which Bible they would prefer, — Catholic or Protestant, old, or revised version ? Surely it is not the people, who have ere this learned by experience its evil consequences ; for, only look back to the time of our forefathers, — What did they do on account of the Bible ? Tne sad question is easily answered. They shed the precieus blood of good and noble men, women, and children. Do the Ministers wish it ? If so, why ? Is it in order to regain the influence over the masses of the people that they used to have in times gone by, which I sincerely hope will never again return ; when the precious blood of our forefathers flowed like water ! Only think of the horrible and " bloody " conflicts between the Protestants and Catholics, at different times and at different pi ices ; and for no other cause than th» Bible, owing to its being differently translated by the several different sects. It is a well known fact that each sect has a different interpretation of the Bible, which is the cause of difference of opinion. In 1066 William Perm was imprisoned, discharged ; offended again and reiraprisoned. This is the same William Perm, who, after being liberated, founded thef»t»te of Pennsylvania, U.S. A and was one of the best rulers of that colony. Ajrain look at John Calvin who caused the death of Servitus, by ordering him to be burnt, and Tom Cranroer who burned people for being Catholics and burned others for being Protestant*. Then we can go further back and look at the persecutions of Bruno. I, with many ethers say that the Bible is not a fit book for school in the hands of tho young. I ask why should the school hours be taken up by Bible reading 1 For during that part of the time people who do not read the Bible have to sit and hear the others read that which they do not understand.—l am Ac, Sceptic