Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-16
Belief and Right to Belief.

christian liberty recognizes the right not
to believe, as we'll as the right to believe,
and in a public school the children of unbe-
levers ought not to be exposed to contempt
by any exercise which separates them into
a distinct class. Furthermore. the right on
the part of the state to introduce religious
instruction with a conscience clause in
wolves the right to do it without a con-
science clause. We avoid all the conse-
quences involved in the wrong principle by
denying the principle.
so. Because religious instruction in the
public schools necessarily establishes q
state theology. The state, at the demand of
the church, must decide what religion. and
what tenets of that religion. shall be taught.
1t must settle differences of opinion. not
only between religionsts and non-religion-
lists, but also between the different sects of
the favored religion.
'.3 Because this movement to introduce
public schools involves the compulsory sup
port of state theology. All classes of citi-
zens are taxed to support the public schools.
All have equal rights in them. The teach
ing of religion will necessarily interfere
with these rights.
"a Because this movement to introduce
religious instruction into the public schools
is a menace to religious freedom. In the
words OF James Madison: 1T is proper to
take alarm at the first experiment upon our
liberties > Who does not see that
the same authority which can establish
Christianity, in exclusion of all other re-
ligions, may establish, with the same ease.
any particular sect of Christians, in exclu-
sion of all other SectS?
%. Because the introduction of religious
instruction into the public schools will in
fringe upon the sacred rights of conscience,
and involves a disregard of the consc1ences
of the minority on the part of the majority.
1.-THE rights of conscience are individual
and personal and are not to be settled by
the arithmetic of putting many consciences
on the one side against a few on the other"
1t has been well said: True Christianity
never shields itself behind majorities."
'6. Because this demand for religious in
struction to be given by the state is con-
trary to the principles of Professionalism as
the intrusion of the civil magistrate in
matters of faith. Professionalism sets the
power of conscience above the magis-
trate." They also declared that sin mat
tiers of conscience the majority has no
power" These lessons of the reformation
ought never to be forgotten. and these prin-
ciples ought never to be violated
~. Because we believe that the effort to
lessen crime and lawlessness by introduce
ing religious instruction into the public
schools. being itself wrong in principle. will
not be effective in securing the desired re-
suit. We are convinced that the perils
which now beset both the church and the
state call loudly for the authoritative in
culcation of the principles of righteousness
the principles of the Ten Commandments
-but we are as firmly convinced that the
proper place for giving this instruction is
in the home. the church and the private
and not in the public school supported
by compulsory taxation"
Five Minute Rule in Debate.
At the outset of the debate. which lasted
two hours the five-minute rule was adopt
ed and ministers of nearly every denomi-'
nation had something to say. DE- Kent