# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S213
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PARISH EDUCATION 213

n, of the Division of Christian Education, of the National
. of Churches of Christ in the U.S. A., estimated early in
‘st the present enrollment in weekday religious education
as as high as any previous figure, namely, from two and
to two and a half million pupils. He reported a new
:of interest in weekday classes. As this movement for more
y classes in religion reaches an increasing number of com-
“also our congregations have the opportunity to provide
enal time for Christian education through this means.

Religion in the Public School

igion in the public school has been the subject of two major
during the past triennium: “Moral and Spiritual Values in
blic Schools,” issued by the Educational Policies Commission
tional Education Association and the American Associa-
School Administrators, and “The Relation of Religion to
Rg ication,” issued by the American Council of Education.
reports and the attention that the subject received in ed-
journals show the great concern that exists about inte-
‘moral and spiritual values in the public school program.
is clear that there are some things that the public schools
o so far as the teaching of religion is concerned. They
ach the doctrine of a denominational religion. They can-
a “common core” of religious and ethical ideas that goes
knowledgment of the existence of God and man’s obliga-
‘tothe Moral Law.
; ublic school can, however, take a positive attitude toward
Seisipn and toward moral and spiritual values. This positive at-
Re uires, first, including moral and spiritual values in the
ment of aims of the school. Such aims should be developed
aching staff and should involve the participation, the in-
nd the concern of the general public. Second, the public
should avoid opposing and ridiculing religious beliefs. As
, we emphatically. assert that such opposition is as much
of religious liberty as advocating a religious belief in the
.. Third, the public school can teach about religion. It can
‘the large role that religion plays in the lives of many
It can point to the influence religion has on the conduct
eople. It can point to the influence ‘religion has exerted
iety in maintaining morality. It can very properly study
and religious music and make use of such materials
chool program. It can provide for Bible reading without
t'in the regular school program. Such factual study of
does not commit the public school to a particular religious
Fourth, the public school can evidence respect for the