THE NELSON SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1835, 22 August 1913, Page 4

THE NELSON SYSTEM

•Sir,—Allow mo a few words in reply to a very able letter from Mr. C. H. faascoigne, which has appeared in your columns, and which (rives fomo points of comparison between the Nelson system of religious instruction in schools, and tlio Australian system. The writer stales very fully and clearly the case for tlio latter as Against' the former. I venture to think, however, that the same fallncy, as' wo consider it, underlies the main part of tlio writer's reasoning that we have hoard before. Briefly stated, it is this: Wo Protestants consider certain views about the Bible and abciut religion to bo all-important, and the State should promulgate those views in tho interests of the children. . On the contrary, we who defend the present system hold thnt tlie Slate should not inculcate tho religious .views of any sect or'group of sects, and we hold to this irrespective of. the particular religious viowsthat may be in the ascendant at, any time. To-dayPro-testjint views probably are in tho ascendancy; to-morrow it may be Catholic or Mormon views, or, what is more probablo in the-future, free-thinking views mav provail. Tf tho State is 'to tench Protestant views now. how do our friends relish the idea, that if free thought should prevail, Stato school teachers may bo reciui<i;ed to teach that tho Christian. religion is a mytli, an unworthy supersti-' tion, with a consoience clause for children of dissident; parents, but none, for teachers?—l am, etc..

CHAR. .T. COOKE, Kelburne, August 20, 1913.