The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-05-25
AN EXPERIMENT THAT MUST FAIL


tion may he, and It is we seriously question
the proprety OF the ministerial alliance seek
ing by indrecton 10 circumvent tho clear and
unmstakoble law regarding religious instruc-
ton iH the public schools as well as the action
OF Principal Prunty in Acceding TO tho plans
put forth by the alliance. wo gravey doubt
the authority OF the principal TO go as far as
he hns In the premises: or of the board OF cdu-
cation TO even delegate such authority to him.
Touching the importance OF spiritual nourish-
mcnt there Is not nor can there be division OF
opinion, but touching the form of that spiritual
nourishment there is tho widest, tho most ex-
ctablo division. Because of this division OF
opinion concerning biblical ana spiritual mat
ters government with exceedingly great Wis
dom, ordered complete separation OF secular
ism and ecclesiasticism, bestowing upon civil SO
oety full authority concerning the former on
the churches full authority and unrestricted
liberty concerning the latter.
The public school being ar undlsputed de-
pnrtment OF civil society. Its maintenance con-
tributed 10 by all the numerous oreeds and de-
nomlnatlons, the institution patronIzed through
force OF law by oil races and religions, eccles-
isticlsm was barred from its curriculum and
Bible instruction prohibited because Of the
the one and the violently divergent interpreta-
tions OF the other.
We say no greater wisdom has ever been
evidenced by civil administrators seeking the
establishment OF harmonious political rela-
tons than by those responsible for this law. On
no other hypothesis could the public school
system have been set up in the first place, by
no other means could 1t have been maintained
and strengthened In the second.
To the church--the various denominations--
has wisely been left the study OF the Bibe and
instruction in religious matters And within the
church---the various mnations--maintaine
by sectarian effort and contribution. should In
structon in such subjects he confined.
We hold It to be as grave an impropriety for
tho ministerial alliance to seek TO contravene
the law by the methods selected. as 1t would
bo for the medical association to seek TO take
a part of the students time away from his
academic training and force devotion to the
teachings OF material medica; or for a dental
clinic to be set up ana the practice OF dental
surgery forced upon the schools
There are some three-score churches in this
rlty devoted to tho spiritual nourishment of
These various denominations have full
protection OF law. may proselyte without lot or
hindrance within their proper bounds teach
the Scripture according to their OWL interpre-
tation, and enjoy safe conduct in all such en-
ployments and activities. The state has set
apart day in which the activities OF these re-
ligious sects have full sway.
What more can be properly required? Is II
realized that the boon thus enjoyed is almost
unparalleled in all the worlds history? That to
attain so great a liberty OF coincidence ard
freedom OF action in religious matters, oceans
of blood have been spilled3 Why. then, ap-
praise 1t lightly and. by seeking to improperly
encroach upon the liberties and Independence
accorded others. expose the whole fabric to re-
action and the possible establishment OF a
state directed rel!gion9
1t is said that pupils desiring 10 avail them
selves of the religious classes which are 10 be
set up in tho vicinity OF the schools will be
given two 7o-mnute periods OF absence from
their academic studies each day, The ntIma-
tion is that no coercion will be employed TO
have students attend these classes
II there Is coercion then there will be 10
attendance at the religious classes to speak Of,
But II the two 7O-mnute periods are set aside
from tho regular and necessary course OF study.
two hours and 90 minutes will be lost each day
so far as the real purposes OF school attend
ance go, At best chaotic condition will result
in the schoolrooms. This will be unsatisfactory.
1nasmuch as sunday schools are maintained
and widely attended, wherein the very thing
here made controversial subject IS exclusively
carried on without the slightest controversy, It
seems only the part OF ordinary wisdom for the
ministerial alliance 10 abate its insistance in
this matter ana all concerned to carefully
guard against introducing In the schools sub
jects OF a violent controversial nature.
The proper courses OF study In the schools
proper school activtles-are not controversial.
why not insist that along such line the
schools shall be conducted, relying on the un-
examped liberty and opportunity accorded all
denominations for giving instruction to the
youth OF the city and thus strengthening the
church?
We send our children to the public school u