# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S289
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PARISH EDUCATION , 289

righteousness through its schools, Civil righteousness, again, can
be achieved in a desirable measure only when the moral instruc-
tion program is in harmony with the universally accepted norm
of right conduct. Though we concede to the State the right to
introduce this type of moral instruction, we are not very hopeful
regarding the outcomes. Owing to the diversity of opinions that
exist among men with respect to the scope of morality derived
from the Moral Law written in man’s heart, no agreement will
ever be reached on the moral instruction program. Moreover,
where such a program is introduced, teachers are apt to go beyond
their instructions and to teach the religion of the Law or salvation
by works. Such teaching is diametrically opposed to Christianity,
which teaches salvation by grace. The teaching of salvation by
works or by character again constitutes a violation of the prin-
ciple of religious freedom.

Courses in Comparative Religion. — Some advocate the teach-
ing of a historical course in religion in our public schools. The
purpose of such a course in comparative religion would be to
reveal to the students the prominent role religion has played and
continues to play in human society; the purpose would not be
to indoctrinate them with any particular religious beliefs. Such
a course, we are told, would give religion prestige in the eyes of
the children, whereas at the present time they are led, because
of the omission of this important subject from the course of study,
to conclude that religion is unimportant. Moral outcomes can be
expected as a by-product of the course. Theoretically we con-
cede to the State the right to teach a course in religion, but we
fear the State could not give such a course without putting the
principle of religious liberty in jeopardy. Moreover, since we are
well aware of the present-day practice of equating all religions
and of calling into question the uniqueness of the Christian religion
as the only true religion, we fear that the placing of the Christian
religion alongside of Buddhism and other false religions will have
a detrimental effect upon the young. -

Weekday Religious Instruction on Released Time. — Lutherans
can approve of weekday religious instruction on released time
without any reservations. According to this plan, the public school
releases the pupil one or more hours each week to the church,
whose task it is to prepare the course of study and appoint the
teachers. Children may enroll only when they present a written

_Tequest signed by the parent. Parents who do not choose to
co-operate may have their children excused. The released-time
program gives the church an opportunity to increase the number
of hours of religious instruction for those of its children who at-
tend the public school. It serves as an excellent missionary agency

Proceedings, 1947 19