Rabbis Speak on Religion and Science Before Religious Education Meeting

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Lack of reverence on the part of the teachers of science in the American school system was scored by the two Jewish speakers before the convention of the Religious Education Association of America now holding its annual convention here.

Speaking at the luncheon arranged by the local Chamber of Commerce, Rabbi Barnet R. Brickner of Cleveland declared the country is menaced not by the small group of theoretical atheists, but by the attitude of the great army of teachers of science.

While he was opposed to the teaching of religion in the public school, Rabbi Brickner was of the opinion that more time should be given to the study of religion, even if some of this time must be taken from the public schools.

“It is necessary,” the Rabbi declared, “to have an end to the mechanistic, agnostic and atheistic implications of the teachings of science in our public schools, high schools and colleges. We want our science teachers to know that the facts of science are not enough unless they are regenerated and spirtualized in terms of their spiritual implications. At least if our science teachers cannot spiritualize their subject matter, we ask them not to teach it as implications of science, philosophy and materialism, determinism and religious agnosticism.”

Speaking on the necessary changes in scientific and religious attitudes and conceptions. Rabbi Solomon Goldman of Cleveland declared, “Religion has suffered altogether too much from extreme non-rationality and impulsive salvation in the dark. Its history quivers with the tragic accounts that spurious faiths demanded: its records reek with the blood of victims offered to jabberwocks and mumbo-jumbos.”

Emil Ludwig, who has been lecturing in the United States for several weeks, will bring his visit to a close on Saturday, when he sails from New York with Mrs. Ludwig on the White Star liner Majestic.

Temple Mishkan Tefila the largest Conservative organization in New England which two years ago completed its temple at a cost of nearly one milllion dollars, announced that a comunity centre and school house will be erected at a cost of $300,000. The ground will be broken on May 1 according to A. A. Bloom, chairman of the board of directors.

The new building will have sixteen school rooms, an auditorium that will seat 800 and rooms for club meetings, providing all facilities for the various temple and auxiliary activities.

The funds, Mr. Bloom announced, will be provided by the temple, making it unnecessary to have a campaign in the general community. The center will be completed within the year, it was stated.