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Story
September 12, 1924
The Elkins Inter Mountain
Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A new movement advocates teaching a recognized moral code in public schools to address the neglect of moral training due to the exclusion of religious instruction. It has support from ministry leaders and emphasizes developing conscience as natural religion, predicting widespread backing despite potential debates on specifics.
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TEACHING MORAL CODE
Widespread advocacy is predicted for the movement newly-launched for the teaching of the recognized code of morals in the public schools. The plan has already won the support of many leaders in the ministry.
The incentive behind the movement is the barring in the public schools of the teaching of religion. Because the public schools make no discrimination against any religious faith, creed or denomination it has been found unfeasible to introduce the teaching of religion in them. The result has been that the moral training of children has been almost wholly neglected in the schools.
A public statement inaugurating the movement thus explains its purpose:
"Concerning supernatural religion men differ and divide: but natural religion lives in every human being. It is evidenced in that moral guide which we call conscience, which may be crude or cultivated, but which is the essence of every system of morals because it is a part of the mind of every man.
"No sane person will deny the necessity, regardless of creed, to aid in the development of that fundamental force. An education solely in the material things of life is surely incomplete. The young mind must be impressed at the same time with the fundamentals of what constitutes right and wrong."
There can be little objection from any source to regular courses in moral training. In this country there is a well-defined code of morals. When the time comes, if it does, to draft the school moral code there may arise debates on certain rules of conduct that may be submitted for embodiment in the code, but on the greater number of proposed lessons there would be universal agreement.
In certain quarters there has been for some years growing agitation for the placing of greater stress in the schools on the social relationship, the accepted rules of human conduct, the moral code and associated matters.
The old and the new movements may join forces and accomplish something if they don't encounter insurmountable barriers such as eugenics and birth control.
Widespread advocacy is predicted for the movement newly-launched for the teaching of the recognized code of morals in the public schools. The plan has already won the support of many leaders in the ministry.
The incentive behind the movement is the barring in the public schools of the teaching of religion. Because the public schools make no discrimination against any religious faith, creed or denomination it has been found unfeasible to introduce the teaching of religion in them. The result has been that the moral training of children has been almost wholly neglected in the schools.
A public statement inaugurating the movement thus explains its purpose:
"Concerning supernatural religion men differ and divide: but natural religion lives in every human being. It is evidenced in that moral guide which we call conscience, which may be crude or cultivated, but which is the essence of every system of morals because it is a part of the mind of every man.
"No sane person will deny the necessity, regardless of creed, to aid in the development of that fundamental force. An education solely in the material things of life is surely incomplete. The young mind must be impressed at the same time with the fundamentals of what constitutes right and wrong."
There can be little objection from any source to regular courses in moral training. In this country there is a well-defined code of morals. When the time comes, if it does, to draft the school moral code there may arise debates on certain rules of conduct that may be submitted for embodiment in the code, but on the greater number of proposed lessons there would be universal agreement.
In certain quarters there has been for some years growing agitation for the placing of greater stress in the schools on the social relationship, the accepted rules of human conduct, the moral code and associated matters.
The old and the new movements may join forces and accomplish something if they don't encounter insurmountable barriers such as eugenics and birth control.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
Education Advocacy
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Moral Education
Public Schools
Religion Exclusion
Conscience Development
Social Reform
Where did it happen?
Public Schools In This Country
Story Details
Location
Public Schools In This Country
Story Details
A movement launches to teach moral code in public schools, compensating for banned religious instruction, emphasizing conscience development and predicting broad support with potential debates on conduct rules.