Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-02-29
AGAINST BIBLE READING
In PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Sill in the Legislature Stirs Up 0p-
position of Catholic Layman.
lCommunicated.l

Mr. Editor-There is no doubt of the
good intention of many who favor com
pulsory Bible reading in our public
schools but good intentions do not
mean that our Judgment is always
immune from error; they do not per-
mi. as from sometimes making mis-
takes experience will teach US TO re-
eIet. In fact. tbs said of the road to
hell that it is paved with good inten-
tionsl
Those holy and humble men Of
heart" who seriously believe good viii
e accomplished by legislating Scrip
ture into our public school system
must not think that those who oppose
it do not revere and study the written
Word Of God and desire its precepts
to be iustilled into the plastic minds
of the young
But we must not let our hearts run
away with our heads We must not
violate the Constitution OF our coun-
try. which insures religious liberty
equality andp rejection for all. The
proposed bill which would enforce
Bible reading in our public schools
endancers the religious liberty, equal
ity and protection of US all. If Legis-
lature rules in the King James version
il tramples upon the rights of our
Catholic and Jewish citizens; if it
stipulates the Douay version. it tram
pies upon the rights of Jews and Prot
astants: if it decides upon the Leesel
version of the Hebrews, it tramples
g
Catholics. IL Legislature passes the
bill, but leaves the version optional,
who then is to decide, and how ?-the
teacher. the trustees, the community
Whoever decides, all cannot possibly
be satisfied; religious rights viii be
affected and confusion and bitter con-
troversy so hurtful to the cause of
Christ and so pleasing to Satan, will
have greater sway.
The hearing of Scripture will not
convert unruly children, who cannot
Re expected 10 comprehend texts that
appear ambiguous even to some theo-
loeians. but good old-fashioned.
practical application of Scriptural adj
vice to uset he rod and reproof' sea-
soned with some fervent private pray
er. is more apt to have the desired
effect.
If the Bible is to be read to our public
schoo' caildren,it should be explained.
for the sacred words are meaningless
and confusing to undeveloped, un-
guided minds How many secular
teachers are capable of this response
bility when candidates for the min
istry must study the original text on
their knees for years before they are
permitted TO preach? Gods word is
easily misunderstood and misrepre-
scented by poorly instructed people
I have heard persons who cannot dis
crimiante between the historical, pro-
phetic and didactic books say the Bible
contradicts itself from the beginning
20 end, The danger of false interpre-
tation and proclamation of the Bible is
e sufficient reason to discourage its
uromiscuous reading in the public
schools. aside from the voice of our
/ Constitution which most emphatically
declares religion is not within the
jurisdiction of the State and that the
function of Church and State must be
/ separate and Independent of each
other
Let the Bible be read, taught and
discussed in the proper place. the
home the Sunday-schcol, the cnurch
/ ard denominational schools where the
heolOgy can be entered into without
violating the constitutional rights oil
/ anyone. Moreover. it is not following
Christ's example to enforce the hear.
ing Of His Word He was surely able
! 10 make it compulsory had He desired
but preferred winning souls through
the ways of love. When He was un-
lergoing that momentous fast in the
/ wilderness and the Devil tempted Hin
10 exert His authority, He refused
When. as is written in the sixth chap
1 ter of st. John. some of His disciples
| would not believe Him. but went bach
| and walked no more with Him" He
| did not compel them to stay and lister
| O His teachings he only turned TO the
Twelve and said. Would We also e
| way He would not compel ever
/ hem to remain and listen to His word
II Is only by following His methods
I tt4aN y & Tan iAdht lhS DAUls dCIePldolt
/ 10 all: il is cheap enough and easily
| obtained by all who wish TO read il,
/ the churches and Sunday-schoo.s are
l open and ministers are con the JOB e
If this bin is made a Law it viii
| only aggregate our sectarian antipa.
thies. it viii make us hated by the
| pagan and Jew. who are our fellow.
citizens; II viii strike a fearful blow
at the heart Of Christianity; It vii
violate our Constitution. Our legislat