A public hearing will be held this week on Representative Andrew H. Harnly’s bill authorizing Bible reading and Bible classes in the public schools of the state of Michigan, according to an announcement by Representative Ed. L. Smith of Grand Rapids, chairman of the Education Committee of the State Legislature.
Mr. Smith said a large number of letters had been received from individuals and organizations who ask for an opportunity to present their views.
The “Michigan Catholic,” in an editorial attacking the proposed Biblereading bill, states:
“The Jews who form a considerable part of our population do not consider the New Testament historical or divinely inspired. Consequently, would they not have cause for complaint if their children were compelled to study parts of the Bible which they reject?
“Catholics, belonging to the oldest Christian denomination, could demand that their version of the Bible be used in the schools. But in this state the King James version or revised (Protestant) versions probably would be made the text for compulsory reading. This would be objectionable to Catholics who consider even the revised version incomplete and burdened with errors.”
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