ATTACK ON RELIGION

Southland Times, Issue 25023, 8 April 1943, Page 5

ATTACK ON RELIGION

Sydney Professor Censured

(Rec. 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 7. The State Legislative Assembly, by a unanimous vote, has censured Professor John Anderson for his statements on religion and education. Professor Anderson is Professor of Philosophy at Sydney University. Speaking at a meeting of the New Education Fellowship Professor Anderson said ; “Teaching religion has an important political character, because it promotes the extension of credulity, which is a very desirable thing from the point of view of the ruling order. It spreads the habit of submission, which induces people to accept authority without questioning. The child is conscious of God as a policeman he can’t dodge.”

Professor Anderson’s statement has been strongly challenged by educational and religious leaders and the motion passed by the Legislative Assembly sets out: “Professor Anderson’s statements are a travesty of the Christian religion and are calculated to undermine the principled of the constitution of the Christian state. That this house should bring the statements under the notice of the University Senate.” The Sydney University Senate has already asked Professor Anderson to submit a full account of his statement.