Evening star., 1925-05-19

If it is SO weak that it has to be
propped in order to stand, it is not
worth our efforts to save it. People
do not admire weakness, but they will
follow strength to the end.
If this law stands the churches will
lose members. For their own sake
the churches ought to help kill this
evolution bill. Christianity needs no
protection, but the churches do.
Thus we have law that on it's face
gives both science and Christianity a
blow.
|. l do not believe the evolution bill
would have passed in Tennessee if
the clause THE divine creation of
been attached to it. 1t suggested to
the legislators that the children in
the State were losing their religious
faith by attending public schools.
Faith Rests With Home.
If child ever loses it's faith it will
be the fault of the home training and
not what it may learn at school. 1t
is something else when a teacher is
responsible for the religious, the moral
and the educational training of the
pupil In order for this to be pos
sible there must be established schools
of all denominations, supported by the
State.
The Tennessee constitution says the
Legislature must encourage science
and art by it's laws. Does the anti
evolution bill encourage science? 1t
was not intended to do so. 1t was
formulated to be slap in the face of
science.
In an unintended way the act has
aided science, for to study science is
to believe in it's value and it's great
possibilities. The people of the entire
Nation have lost no time in obtaining
books on evolution and reading bit
for themselves.
Whether evolution is or is not true,
if the knowledge of it is dangerous to
religion, then religion is doomed But
Christianity and science both stand
for truths, so in the long run neither
can be injured by the study of the
other. It is only the narrow-minded
Interpretation of them that hurts.
Legislators Violate Duty.
The statesmen of Tennessee, re-
spending to this narrow view of
science and religion, have not only
failed to do their duty, but have vio-
lated their duty.
The law conflicts with another great
principle of this Nation, taxation with
out representation. The State taxes
all people directly or indirectly to OBJ
tain finances to operate it's schools.
The question is now asked of them,
DO you believe in evolution or any
religion other than the Christian re-
ligion?" If they answer in the af-
firmative, exempt them from taxation.
They are taxed for the upkeep of
a public institution that does not
permit the teaching of their beliefs
4 ..sl~
| representation. but are taxed and
! legislated against.
Are we going back to an intoler-
ance in this country that we de-
spised so much in our ancestral homes
in the old countries?
1 talked to a legislator who voted
| for this act. He was Of the opinion
that this anti-evolution law was not
so bad within itself. but that ii
would, in all probability, lead to fu-
| ture legislation that would be very
obnoxious if it were permitted to
stand.
Ridiculous i'm Any View.
From any viewpoint this law is
ridiculous. l believe every biology
! instructor in the State ignored the
| law as / did.
/ taught the class l was hired to
! LEACH III liic peSl way lily liHllleO
ability permitted. Under this law
any time an indignant parent heard
you even SO much as mention evo-
luton he could prosecute you.
Where does the Legislature get
this power to say what is truth
do not believe it has such a power
1t is not conferred upon it by either
the State or the Federal Constitution
1t has just as much authority to say
that two and two are not four as
to say that man is or Is not subject
! to evolution. Is it fitted to pass