SHOULD THE STATE TEACH RELIGION?

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1699, 15 March 1913, Page 8

SHOULD THE STATE TEACH RELIGION?

Sir Many who occupy tho position of ministers of tho gospel are calling for such a change in our educational system as will introduce religious teaching into the public schools of the Dominion. Tho union of religion with the State for any purpose, at any point in the economy of government, is no light tiling. The consequences may be momentous. History has taught us to beware of- such alliances. Let us therefore examino the question carefully in its various bearings • before coming to the conclusion that the teaching of Teligiou by tho State is the rear edy needed to euro, the'prevailing moral degeneracy of, the times. First let us notice tho results which have followed where Stato teaching of religion lias bfeen carried into effect; for we have an abundance of historical testimony on this point. Wo may judge tho tree by its fruit. The idea that the State ought to teach religion in the Stato schools is not a new one. Tho theot* as to the benefits, to be derived from such an educational system has had a long and thorough trial in various countries, and is on trial in some of them at the present time. For examples, consider such •countries as France, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Italy, Peru, and Mexico. What started the recent separaton of Church and State in France? It is well known that it began with a revolt against tho teaching of religion in the State schools. For centuries this had been the practice in France, and what had been the result? Had the couiitir gained anything from such teaching? Had the country been saved from godlessness? Had theory been demonstrated that the State teaching of religion was necessary to the State's salvation? The truth is that the conviction had come upo'n. the loading statesmen ot France that the abolition of religious teaching in tho State, schools was necessary to the country's salvation. And this was the conviction, not of men who wero opposed to tho religion of the church that furnished tho religious teaching, but of men who were and have remained members of that church. And as regards Stato religious 'teaching as a moans of salvation from godlessness, it is well known that atheism is, and long has b«en, more prevalent in Franco than in any other country except such as have maintained a similar educational system. There is no disputing the fact that anarchy is especially prevalent to-day m France, Spain, and Italy—countries that have for centuries enjoyed the full benefits of State-taught religion. In Russia the State is very careful to inculcato full religious teaching in tho schools; vet the state of morality among the people may bB judged by the dreadful massacres of Jews in that country that have allocked the civilised world in recent times. ;

Suoh is jrlie fruit that is borne to-day upon the tree of Stato teaching of religion. What of those countries which adopted .the system in past cqnturiesr Not one of them was ever saved by it from decay (ind dissolution* In the balances of history the system' has been repeatedly weighed and found wanting.— I am, etc., * J.M.C. Palmcrston North, March 10, 1913.