Weekday classes in religious education conducted on released school time for public school pupils are being held in all but a few states of the United States, as well as in Canada, England, and Wales. Some states have laws specifically permitting the releasing of pupils from public school in order that they may receive religious instruction in churches or church schools of their choice, while in other states the ruling of the state attorney general, a court decision, or an opinion from the state board of education provides the authority under which the plan for religious instruction is carried on.
In many communities where weekday religious education has been adopted, Christian Science churches are participating in the work. Committees of church members have been formed to arrange for and supervise the weekday classes for those children who come to them for instruction. The committees exercise only the authority delegated to them by the appointing and participating churches. The committees provide teachers who are Christian Scientists, and who serve, as a rule, on a volunteer basis. The committee serving The Mother Church has so provided for children in public schools in Boston.
Although Christian Science churches do not take the initiative in fostering the released-time plan, it seems advisable that they keep informed from the start of any steps that are taken locally by the school committee and the other churches to initiate a program. This may be done by having representation on the interdenominational committee formed to establish and supervise the setup.
