Show RELIGION IN SCHOOLS The teaching of religion In the public schools of at Utah Is not against the law according to an opinion given given given en by Harvey duff Cluff attorney gener gener- al The opinion was given glyen In response re response response re- re to a question asked in a letter letter letter let let- ter by V. V M. M Kelly of Oasis The letter letter letter let let- ter was received by Dr George Thomas state superintendent of or PUblic PUb PUb- public lic Instruction and referred by him to the attorney general In submitting his opinion Mr Cluff refers to section 4 of article 3 of the state constitution which reads T The legislature shall make laws for the establishment and maintenance maintenance maintenance nance of a system of public schools which shall be open to all the children children children chil chil- dren of the state and be free from sectarian control Reference also Is made to section 1848 compiled complIed laws of Utah 1907 1901 which according to Mr Ir Cluff was repealed by chapter 78 73 session laws Utah tah 1915 This section reads No No atheistic Infidel sectarian religious or denominational doctrine shall be taught in any of the district schools of the state Moral Instruction instruction instruction tion tending to impress upon the minds of the pupils the Importance of good manners truthfulness temperance temperance tem tem- perance verance purity patriotism and In Industry Industry In- In industry shall be given In every school of the districts and all such schools shall be fre free from sectarian control At the present time the opinion states we do not know of any such I I law aw on our sta statute statute ute The provisions of the constitution requiring that the public schools shall be free from sectarian control do not in our opinion mean that religion shall not be taught in the public schools We WeI I believe the reasons for repealing the law aw as it stood In 1915 1916 were among others that the Bible and ru- ru doctrines might be taught In Inthe Inthe inthe the public schools If it desired O Of I course it does not mean such teaching teachIng teaching teach teach- I ing shall be confined to the doctrines doctrines doc doc- trines of any particular denomination or sect or that any of the students should be compelled to listen to such teaching Yet we do not believe it Is against the law to teach religion Inthe m to the public schools of our state to today to- to day |