LABOUR AND THE BIBL IN SCHOOLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19454, 13 November 1925, Page 6

LABOUR AND THE BIBL IN SCHOOLS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It is popularly held in Labour ] circles, I understand, that if the Bible , in Schools Bill became law they would ( of necessity have to subsidise Roman f Catholic schools. But is this really the ( case? The Bible is not the peculiar , property of the Protestant, but of the > Roman Catholic as well. The Boman , Catholic Church has her Douay Bible, ] as Protestants have their Genevan , Bible. The Douay Bible differs only in i minor points from the Protestant Bible. In the main they arc both the same.. ; Then why the cry for assistance for , Roman Catholic schools if the Bible is introduced? To my mind, the introduction of the Bible into the primary schools of our land would make for in justice to none, but for fair play all round. Consider the position: Would • placing the Bible in our schools make any child an Anglican, or a Presbyterian a Methodist, or a Baptist? We know it would not. Every church has its own standard of doctrine, apart from the Bible —its Catechism, or Confession of Faith, or some such document. Every church has its own peculiar methods and traditions, which give to it its distinctive character. It is not the Bible which makes an Anglican or a Presbyterian, etc., but the particular svstem of doctrine and tradition in which he is reared. That being so, where would the injustice to Roman Catholicism come in were the Bible placed in our schools? She would still have her children to train in her Sunday schools and church, in the _ same wav as the Protestants have theirs. No, Sir, there is no injustice to Roman Catholicism implied in the Bible in Schools Bill. It is simply fair play to all. The Bible docs not make Protestants, it only lays the moral and spiritual foundations —which are a til st necessity in sound citizenship—for each denomination to build upon. In any ease the Roman Catholics are amply safeguarded by the conscience clause in the Bill, which provides that any child may be exempted from Scripture teaching on production of a note stating the parents object. But in practice in Australia, I believe, this clause is very little availed of. The great body of electors is behind this Bill, which is in the best interests of the mass of our growing citizens. Then why should it be held up by a small minority on the bogey cry of a special grant? —I a: i, etc., FAIR PLAY. Wanganui, Nov. 10, 1925.