# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1941_S163
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Elementary Education 161

Objectionable Features of Modern Education
of Children
; (Unprinted Memorial 153)

This letter from the Southern Indiana-Ohio Pastoral Con-
ference calls attention to the dangers connected with the teaching
of evolution in our public schools and the necessity of counteracting
the pernicious influence of such teaching by meetings of pastors and
teachers with representatives of public schools.

Report of Committee 14

Wuereas, Many of the books used in our public schools present
mere theories and assumptions as scientifically proved facts with
utter disregard for the truth; and

Wuereas, It must be evident to any thinking person that much
harm is likely to result from the use of such books, especially if
they are studied under the direction of teachers who also accept un-
scientific and anti-Biblical theories as facts; and

Wuereas, Lutheran Christians who wish to exercise their rights
as citizens by protesting against the use of objectionable books and
any other forms of instruction inimical to the faith of our children
in public schools often find it difficult to collect the most suitable
materials to support their objections successfully; and

Whereas, Protests without scientifically sound reasons to sup-
port them are likely to do more harm than good; and ,

Wuereas, Materials for the successful refutation of pernicious
teachings in the fields of science, history, etc., have been collected
and used with gratifying results in a number of instances; your
Committee

Recommends:

1. That Synod urge the Districts, conferences, and individual
pastors and teachers of Synod:

a. To examine the text-books, recommended and adopted for
use in the public schools of their respective communities, and any
other forms of instruction inimical to the faith of our children;

b. To report any instances of anti-Biblical teaching to the Board
of Christian Education of Synod and to their respective District
Board of Education;

c. To protest, in cooperation with their District Board of Edu-
cation, through friendly conferences in a cordial way, to the proper
school authorities, and in the cases where text-books are involved,
our Board of Christian Education should protest to the publishers of
such a book. .

2. That the Hon. President of Synod appoint a Standing Com-
mittee on Research, who shall study this problem and_ prepare
bibliographies and collect other useful references for the guidance

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