THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 April 1910, Page 4

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

To tho Editor

Sir, —In connection with tho atenipt of a cortfliiii .section of the Miblic to introduce Miblo reading iito the State schools, ] havn ol;eu wondered how many Ikivo reati >lh> liiblu since they have reached uaiiliood and can bring :i rij)e judg-lii-iib to bear upon tliis question. I eel sure that if everyone would •wid Mie Bible, the question of it.s ntroduelir.ii into the State schools

would soon be finally disposed of. To give one or two objections that rsccurred to me while readiner the

first five books. How would tlu , story of the Tower of H'lbcl (Gvh.. clKipter H.) affect any otyiiiologira! instruction given in the State schools? Of what use is is to teach children anything about geology or zoology .and then give them 'as an inspired record tho story of Noah'. , :

irk? Can we teach the young flea anything of the natnrc of light, if refraction, of color waves, aft-r ■ending the explanation of tho rainiow. in Genesis (chapter IX.) HW

would the fact that Alpha Centauri (.a bright star near the Kcuthern Cross) is tlio nearest of the fixed stars, and that its lig.ht fakes about four years to roach Hu> iviytli.

''.oiiiid to tile, cli ild roil after ivndin</ verso 17, chapter T.. of Genesis. In tli; 1 tenth chapter of Joshua is related t-lie storv of how Clod cau.sed_ the sun to "stand .Mi!]" in tli" midst rif tlie heavens for about a whole day to pive Jeshiri more daylight. for Hih butchery of mnn, women and children. Out of respect for tlio memorv and investing lions of the .ere,'it Xewtou we could iin-*- ■ dniit that record into the >St.n Ifschool. Scores of similar :iftr'iinents could lu* got from both Old ■Hid Xew Testaments. Of ronrse, then* is much that is lnyiutii'ul in tile IJible —<*ood morality, and coo:! literature•- lint after considering!; t!is> f|iie.stion in all its lirarino;s, 1 believe it would be a mistake to interfere with tlie present secular systeni ; and I would ask your readers before coming to a decision iipe-n this question to read their Bibles Yours, etc..

RATIONALIST