The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-01
DR.. CAL|SCH ON
BIBLE IN SCHOOL
Rabbi Discusses Action of Local
Board in Decreeing That 1t
Be Read Daily.
BIG QUESTION INVOLVED
Hopes That Other Citizens VIII
Join in Protest Against
Boards Ruling.

In has sermon at Beth Ahabah
Synagogue last night. DR.. Edward y .
Caliech discussed the recent action OF
/ the City School Board in instructing
that the Bible be read daily hereafter
+ in the public schools.
The School Board of the city OF
J Richmond at it's meeting last Monday
evening" said DIT. Calisch. adopted a
resolution 10 the effect that az religious
[ influence and instruction we're very
desira BILE things TO be brought 10 pear
upon children during the impression
able years Of their school me they' the
board. requested the teachers IN lhe
schools Of the city to open their dally
sessions with readings from the BLDG
| desire TO call this action 20 your at
tention in order that you may reaiize
tho full purport Of il. Seemingly IN
nocent on the surface. and apparently
nobjectionable in its motive. the ac-
ton Of the School Board nevertheless
has a very far reaching erect ana an
Implication that is dangerous 20 tne
welfare Of the city and State. w ME
II is true that at bottom IL ~ a purely
American question and should be con-
sidered on the strict basis OF amen
canism. yet because we Jews toeelnSi
with some others. are most Nitaiiy
affected. il behoOyes us 20 take hotlCe
Of this resolution.
DOts NOt NutSttOh
81 have no doubt that the mem bers
of the board bad the best of Intentions
in It's adoption But they either did
not see. or if they did see, they did
not concern themselves over. the fact
that this action involves a question
which strikes al the very fundamental
spirit of American institutions. 1t
means the introduction OF religious
exercises and no doubt sectarian
religious exercises. in public institu-
tions. where they have neither place
nor reason. The authors and sup
porters of this resolution may honestly
believe that they are not treepassing
on the rights OF any individual. But
IL is very difficult for the average in
dividual OF a majority 20 be able TO re-
cognize and acknowledge the rights of
the minority.
1T is not here the time nor place 70
make such protest or defense as needs
TO be made. But ! desire these truths
TO be voiced and If possible recognized.
Religious Work Desirable.
Il admit freely that religious in
struction is desirable thing. nut In
this country. where the principle of
the separation of church and state is
basic to the ideals of the republic,
hubble institution is not the place for
il Religion in the abstract has no
oedsgogical value The practically unan-
anirnous opinion of modern educators
is that effective teaching must get away
from text book-idolatry and from gilt
tering generalities. down to the vivi-
wing influence of personality. or Of
concrete illustration. Religious instruc-
ton demands authority back of it
What religious authority Will you intro
duce into a public institution and have
il carry with it the power and prestige
of the State Itself
las TO the reading itself, have my
doubts as TO its efficacy. | do not
believe that the mere reading of moral
treatises or Of ethical tracts has much
value aside from the wholesome innu-
ence of personal example.
Confession of Wrong.
A high official of the school system
said If there were any parent VINO
objected to mis- child being present at
these religious exercises that the child
could withdraw from the room while
they were being held. This very con-
cession Is a confession Of the wrong
and the injustice of the action What
right has anyone 10 subject any child
in the public schools to embarrassment
and 20 humiliation in thus marking
i. off and separating il from its school
fellows
The public school is the very heart
OF our democracy 1t Is the innermost
citadel OF biAA41lPiC-- -
draw lines of demarcation there. to
destroy its fine spirit of equality. is d
very dangerous proceeding / have
faith in the sense of fair play and of
ius.ice in the breasts of our fellow
citizens that an appeal to them VIII
not prove unavailing- especially so
here in the State of Virginia. where the
principles of religious liberty and
equality were frst promulgated and
made a part of the law of the Com
nonwealth Early in i7s5 James Madi-
son drew I'D and submitted TO the
Virginia General Assembly his famous
Memorial and Remonstrancc. which
took the sound ground that in matters
of religion no mans right Is abridged
nv the institution OF civil society. and
tba. religion is wholly exempt from its
cognizance On Decem Der IS. 1875.
me Act TO Establish Religious Free
dom drawn by Thomas jefferson,
was passed by the General Assem- bly,
7. provided that no man should be
compelled TO frequent or support any
religious worship, place or ministry
whatsoever: nor shall he be enforced.
restrained. molested or burthened in
suffer on account of his religious
opinions OF belief
Cannot Remain Silent.
The Baptist denomination itself q
one time sufferer from religious tyran-
nv. has been prominent in the defense
OF religious freedom. and its history
has been a consistent struggle against
religious OF sectsrisn discrimination in
civil institutions.
Il trust that we will have them and
/ other Of our fellow citizens join US IN
o,otest But II not. and further. even II
I ~ the face Of the justice Of our cause
o-,- protest should prove ineffective.
70. We cannot silently and supinely
che .Dcroachrncnr uuon our