RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3356, 21 November 1873, Page 2

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE.

To the Editor. ■ c in, —l am not in the least surprised to hear that the Roman Catholics of Otago object to some of the school books in use in our schools. As a Protestant, I have no hesitation in saying that I know of none of our several series of school books—and I think I know most of them—but what epithetically and infereutially disparage the Roman Catholic religion, except the Irish National books. Surely it is a gratuitous assumption on the part of one of your correspondents, to say that the intention to replace some of the school now in use by others less objectionable is due to a desire to please Dr Moran, or the Church he represents. To discontinue the use of books that are offensive to the feelings of Catholics, is by no means an act uf grace. It is a simple act of justice. Catholics form part of the tax-pay-nig community, and while they continue good members of the State, they have a right to demand that schools which they help to support should be free from all that tends to misrepresent their Church or violate their religious feelings. Looking at the matter from a Protestant stand-point, and putting it in the mildest form, 1 think it highly problematical that our own children benefit by being stuffed with the idea that the Catholic religion tends to perdition, and that the Pope is the veritable Anti-Christ. It is a childish attempt at palliation to say Catholics utter harder things of us. We know they do. But we are Protestants, and while we protest against other matters, let us evince our superiority by protesting against their want of charity, without showing our own want of that rare virtue. It is a pity pom® of your correspondents peemiogly

imagine they ire glorifying the Deity and advancing the ciuse of religion by casting hard names and disparaging remarks at those who differ from themselves in opinion. As a Scotchman, and a comparative stranger in Otago, I am sorry to say I have heard more illiberal ideas uttered on religions matters the few months I have been here, than I have heard for the twenty years I have been in other parts of the Colonies.— I ana, &c., Cattanach. Dunedin, November 21.