Bible reading and the use of other religious of sectarian materials, or the indoctrination of religious sanctions or dogma, should be avoided by public schools, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia declared here today.
In a statement of policy setting forth the position of the Jewish community on the new Pennsylvania law regulating Bible reading, approved by the JCRC Board of Directors, it was held that the integrity, security, status, independence and growth of both religion and the democratic society are best preserved and fostered if the inculcation, maintenance and furtherance of religion are recognized as being the responsibilities of the home, the synagogue and church, and not of the public school system.
The Act of Assembly adopted in 1959 by the Pennsylvania Legislature amended the Bible reading law by permitting public school children to be excused from Bible reading or attendance during Bible reading in the classroom upon written request of parent or guardian. Murray H, Shusterman, Deputy City Solicitor who is president of the JCRC, pointed out that the privilege of abstention serves only to create divisiveness and dissension among teacher, child and parent.
“With or without the right to be excused, Bible reading in the public schools runs counter to the American concept of religious freedom,” declared Mr. Schusterman in making public the position of the JCRC Board of Directors. “As a nation of people committed to many different religious faiths, or to none, the United States owes its survival and growth to the acceptance by all Americans of the concept that the relationship between man and God may not be subject to governmental interference, regulation and control.
“Any impairment of this principal threatens religious liberty which is the very foundation of American democracy and in indispensable aspect of democratic freedom. This important principle is Jeopardized when the public school system, an agency of the State, engages in a religious or sectarian practice such as reading the Bible.”
The statement of policy on the 1959 Bible reading law was adopted after long consideration and study by the JCRC Committee on religious Freedom.
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