The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-08-24
Bible TEACHING
IN The SCHOOLS
Six States Require and Ten Pro-
hibit Reading of Scriptures,
Educators Survey Shows.

INSTRUMENTATION many states re-
quire the reading of the Bible in the
public SchOOls?"
This and similar questions have i'm
PEELED William r. Hood, specialist in
school legislation of the federal bureau
of education. to make q survey.
six states require that portion of
the Bible be read daily in their
schools" Mr.. Hood said. six other
states specifically permit by law the
reading. In 10 other states and in the
District of Columbia the law is silent
on the subject, and Bible reading is re-
garded as permissible.
I'm five states whose laws otherwise
contain no specific provision, the courts
have rendered opinions favorable to
Bible reading. In Michigan and Cali
fornia the question is somewhat in
doubt.
THE Michigan Supreme court held
that the reading of Bible stories that
emphasized moral precepts' was no.
unconstitutional, if the reader made no
comment and the pupils were per-
Initte1 to absent themselves. case
iufpifllis5 blDiG IedulllS Is i1clulHS IL
the California Supreme court.
I'm zen states reading of the Bible
at stated times is not permissible. In
three states there are Supreme court
decisions adverse, and in seven rulings
of authorities such as the state super
intendent of public instruction or the
attorney general has barred the Bible.
In New York there is no prohibition,
but the commissioner of education has
ruled adversely. New York city's
charter permits the reading"
Is Bible Sectarian?
The point about which most of the
court fights have been waged is whether
such reading, especially from par
ticular version, is sectarian. Mr.. Hood
explained that some states have in
hibitions against "sectarian instruc-
tion," which have raised the question
whether a particular version, say the
King James, is excluded by such re-
quirement.
"This question remains unsettled"
commented Mr.. Hood. "Of three state
Supreme court decisions bearing di-
rectIy on the definition of this word,
one held the Bible sectarian book and
two declared the opposite. The former
was Illinois; the latter Kentucky and
Kansas. Nebraska decision fnclineS
to the view that the Bible in itself is
not excluded by that states constitu-
tion but that, in the hands of 'sectarian
propa gandists,' it's use may become IL
legal A court of appeals in California
has held the Bible to be a sectarian
book"
Left to Boards.
In Ohio, as indicated by the de-
cisions, the question is up to the local
boards, which are not restricted in pre-
scribing books or instruction. In the
only case Mr.. Hood could find de-
cision by a court lower than the Su-
preme court, an order barring the read
ing at the opening exercises was re-
fused.
The New Jersey law requires the
reading of "at least five verses from
that portion of the Holy Bible known |
as the Old Testament" Alabama re-
Iuires readings from "the Holy Bible; |
Georgia requires "the Bible, including |
he Old and New Testaments" Massa-
,husetts "a portion Of the Bible; |
'at least ten verses from |
he Bible" The Tennessee law is SIM
lar to that of the keystone state.
Indiana and Iowa are the most
Notable of the states in which those
Who take approved Bible study are al
owed credit toward graduation.
In New Jersey, Tennessee and Penn
ylvania reading must be without COM
nent In Massachusetts written notes
r oral comment are prohibited. Pupils,
f they desire, may be excused when
he Scripture is read in Georgia, Massa-
husetts or Tennessee schools.
In some states, where reading of the
.ible il not permitted if there is any
of religion Herewith, it may
g used to provide examples in liter
ture. A Wisconsin court decision
Odds that such portions of the Bible
$ are not sectarian in character may
e used for secular instruction and to
lculcate good morals. III