Religious Education in Schools
In England concern is felt about the ineffectiveness of the religious teaching given in many of the schools. A Conference on the subject was recently held at Church House in London. That there has been a progressive decline in the teaching of religious education both north and south of the Border has been evident for some time. The remedying of the situation at the present time will not be easy owing to the widespread abandonment of religion by so many throughout the land and the comparative scarcity of teachers both willing and competent to teach it. There is also pressure being exerted by the humanist lobby in Parliament to do away with religious education altogether from the school curriculum. It is to be hoped that the efforts of the humanists will fail and that religious education will not only continue to be taught but be taught more adequately than it is being taught at present.
Euthanasia
A recent Home Office committee report has suggested making “merc killing” a separate offence from murder and manslaughter, and punishable with only up to two years’ jail. This monstrous suggestion if given place to would go a long way towards legalising euthanasia. Pressure is being exerted in many quarters for a new attitude towards the taking away of the life of the elderly. It is maintained that this is a more humane attitude than if the elderly are allowed years of suffering or senility when they have clearly, according to these advocates, outlived their usefulness. It is not altogether surprising after the legalising of abortion to find pressure for legalising the murder of the elderly. Both infanticide and euthanasia were not unknown in pagan societies in other days but it is to the credit of our country that she did her best to stamp out these practices wherever she had power. What a sad day has come on Britain when those practices from which she revolted are now advocated within her borders.
Sabbath Drinking Bill
While the Government continue to insist on safeguards to be included in the Bill for the opening of public houses in Scotland on Sabbath, the House of Lords has acted on two occasions to try to throw out these safeguards. It would be more in the interests of the nation if the House of Lords distinguished itself by endeavouring to defeat this piece of legislation altogether. If they did so, as well as having the law of God on their side, they would also have the support of the medical and legal profession as well. The Medical Research Council only recently declared that alcohol and smoking poses a far greater threat to the health of the nation than drug addiction. Lord Wheatley, the Lord Justice Clerk, also lately stated that strong drink was becoming one of the curses of society and that possibly more than 90 per cent of crime before the High Court had an antecedent history of strong drink. In the light of these views what madness it is on the Government’s part to proceed with legislation for opening the public houses on Sabbath, no matter what safeguards they may try to include.
Television and Bad Films
In its annual report, the Independent Broadcasting Authority indicated that many films now showing in cinemas throughout the country may be banned from television because they contain too much sex, violence and bad language for them to be acceptable. This attitude on the part of the Independent Television Authority is to be commended. It would also be in the interests of viewers if much that is already shown on television screens was also banned. Both the cinema and television screens have proved potent instruments in Satan’s hand for the advancement of his kingdom. The portraying of evil, lust and depravity of every kind has fed the minds of young and old with what is destructive of their spiritual and moral welfare. May the day speedily come when men and women, and boys and girls will turn away with loathing from these evils which just now are presented in so favourable a light.