# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S214
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

214 PARISH EDUCATION

several religious faiths and observances in the community.
respect should also extend to the rights of those who are irreli
to hold their opinions. The public school has no right, howey,
to subtly advocate atheism by a blanket of silence around ev
thing that concerns religion or religious faith and life.

The Public School as a Responsibility of All American Citize

Public education has been under attack in a number of ¢
munities in our country during the past triennium. While
structive criticism is helpful in improving school policies and pre
tices, unjustified attacks hinder the development of a good sch
program.

Many of our congregations and members are much ‘intere
in promoting and supporting full-time Christian schools. Th
important for the development of effective Christian educatigg
for our children and youth.

In our concern for Lutheran elementary schools and Luthey
high schools, we must not overlook the fact that we have
responsibility of advancing the cause of good public schoo
well. This is not a new position in our Synod; it was articulaj
very clearly as early as 1870. In that year the Biblical prined
concerning “The Proper Attitude of an Evangelical Lutheran Ch
tian Toward the Public Schools” were discussed in the Syno
Report of the Western District. After presenting the facts 9
cerning the State as an institution of God and the Chris
obligation toward the State and public welfare, the essay s
the following theses concerning the public school system:

“Since parents and the Church (in numerous cases) do 9
or cannot, fulfill their obligation toward the children, the estab
ment and maintenance of our public educational system is a politi
necessity, in order that the citizens may be given the nec
common training.

“Since the Word of God commands the Christians to mee
requirements of the State, and to obey its laws, Lutheran
tians are obligated to pay the taxes levied by the State fo
schools.

“Inasmuch as Lutherans have a political responsibility fora
public schools, they should see to it:

a) That Christian-minded persons be employed as tea
in the public schools, even as some State laws now forbid the, ex
ployment of atheists or other notoriously immoral characters

b) That the teachers do not teach, or textbooks contain, |
thing that contradicts either the natural or the Christian reli

c) That a good outward discipline be maintained in 1
schools.”