Evening star., 1948-11-29
70 the Editor Of The star:

land actually grants subsidies to sectarian
schools along with all accredited schools; pre-
ponderantly Protestant Canada does likewise
Mr.. Dawson expresses sympathy with the
concern for adequate religious instruction for
the children Of our generation" But doesn't
his zeal for the exclusion from all state en-
couragement Of religious instruction, even with
the strictest safeguards against preference Of
sect. initiate effectively in practice against
what he approves In theory Doesn't he in
fact provide that the school child will feel
that almost any branch that he Is studying
il more important than this pariah religion,
which is studiously kept from public view and
quarantined within the premises Of church on
Sunday? DUNCAN BURGOYNE
In connection with J. M. Dawson's objection
being "sectarian," it could be pointed out that,
If this view-which was held by the entire
Christendom for II centuries, by all Western
Christians for Is centuries, and now Is held
by the largest body Of Christians in the world;
which also has the support Of the overwhelm-
ing concurrence Of biblical, patristic, nturgical
and archaeological evidence as well as Of the
studies Of some Of the greatest scholars-be
called "sectarian," then surely its denial, hrst
born Of anu-Catholic prejudice four centuries
ago cannot In fairness claim to be any less
"sectarian." DIR. CYRIL TOUMANoFF.
TO the Editor Of The Star:
Unlike J. M. Dawson, am not Q qualified
spokesman for either side Of the controversy
over the Supreme Courts decision In the Nc
Collum case. merely am Q Catholic house.
wife and the mother Of three children. Since
Mr.. Dawson implies that he has thought this
thing through" may take this opportunity
to ask Q few questions while ! leave 1t for
some one else to comment upon his unhistofical
history
When, In Mr.. Dawsons words "churchmen
e invaded (sc) the public school property
Oo) teach - sectarian creeds" was not this
"free exercise" of religion as envisioned by
the First Amendment to the Constitution7
Is Mr.. Dawson's objection to this teaching
solely that the teaching was done on school
and hence government property or could 1t
really be that his objection Is to the propaga-
ton Of some or all Of the individual sectarian
creeds2
When the McCollum decision stops this
teaching Of religion by churchmen (nind you,
not members Of the governmenD on public
school property. does Mr.. Dawson construe
this as an extension Of, or Q clrtailment Of
the free exercise" Of religion?
Does Mr.. Dawson urge that all church
property not be tax exempt
Does Mr.. Dawson urge that the armed forces
(an arm Of governmenD no longer erect
chapels at public expense on military posts
and refrain from paying the salaries Of chap
lains? MAUREEN O'CONNOR.
TO the Editor Of The star:
Letters to the editor have appeared from
time to time on the subject Of religious in
struction in school, The writers have not been
clear as to the distinction between ecclesiastic-
ism and humaneness-the first pertaining to
church matters only, the second to mankind
IN general
With this difference once understood, the
problem Of whether or not to have religious
instruction in schools, Is no longer confused
instead Q solution presents itself. The sugges-
ton I am forwarding to you comes from
wise little lady who has pondered these
matters over much of her IS years.
We have in this country three guides to be-
havior: u) legal laws enforceable by the courts
OF our land; ca religious doctrines decreed by
our churches; and (3 moral. behavior ex-
pected of mankind at its best
Before a child enters school he has learned
from his parents, and in most cases from
his church. something about all three. For
instance he has learned that to steal Is wrong
and II he steals when he becomes man he
will be punished by law. He has been told
there Is . God, and q life hereafter for him
If he is good. The child has been taught to be
kind, gentle and forgiving towards his fellow
beings, slow to anger, patient In weu-doing,
doing all things without murmur1ng. etc. These
latter are the principles upon which our civil
lization is based. They belong to all creeds
The home is the logical place for teaching
these principles: however, the schools, in addi-
ton to teaching the Rs, are making special
effort to include them in their daily routine.
As an aid, there should be . definite and con-
crete way of giving to the children the philos-
ophies which cover the humane way Of living.
A book compiled Of the proverbs and sayings
from all religions could be used with no fear
Of its constituting religious instruction.
I should like to hear II any one knows Of
such q book. and II there Is such book, II 1t
Is being used in this way. 3. B.
Equality as a Basis of Peace
TO the Editor Of The Star:
In analyzng our peace potentialities, We
must admit that the road to peace, or the
question upon which the whole future peace
and policy Of the world depends, Il this:
Is the present cold war struggle for . Just
for balance