"What should I do?", is the question many parents are asking when wondering if they should raise their kids in a faith-based community. Yes, you would think that it's a simple yes or no answer. The truth is that there is much more reasoning behind the yes or no that parents ultimately decide. There are many reasons for either decision, all of which make sense in their own way. If you decide that yes you should raise them in a faith-based community, it does have its benefits. Faith-based communities teach important values in life such as caring, self dependence, and many life morals. It helps to teach the kids to help the community and even reach out and help others. Raising your child in a faith-based community should not be done because the negative effects far out weigh the positives.
I believe that raising your sons or daughters in a community based on faith is not something that should be done. Yes religion and what you believe in is an important part of life. I don't think that it is something that your child should be brought into at such a young age. For one thing, at a young age no children really knows why they are there nor do they really want to be there. They would rather have free time hanging out with friends, instead of being in a church or whatever place of worship you attend, two to three times a week. Second, in some cases, not all, it causes "the fear of God" which is very scary to a kid of young age. Third, at a young age kids hate to feel pressured and if you raise them in a faith-based community they are going to feel pressured by the situation. Finally, to raise them in a community of faith, of your choosing, is almost forcing a religion upon them. I believe that religion is something that should be practiced based on an individual's beliefs, not something they had been forced into at a very young age.
Stephen D. Dubner says in his essay, Choosing My Religion, "There are more spiritual searches now than ever before, mainly because people are now freer than ever before to search." I think that is a great quote that demonstrates the importance of choosing your own religion.
Per Regnerus et al, professors who hold reputable positions at accredited teaching institutions, studies “display strong evidence that public schools now lag behind Catholic schools in the average educational achievement of their students, most poignantly in cities and low-income neighborhoods” (16). Although this study pertained mostly to a specific type of school- Catholic school- similar results can be achieved by requiring a child to take at least one religion-specific class. Similarly, another study expressed the impact of religion on academic achievement: “Individuals with no religious affiliation reported the fewest years of education and were also likely to have the least religious socialization. Not being affiliated with a church resulted in a detrimental impact on educational achievement” (Brown & Gary 422). Without some form of religious impact on an individual’s life, one experienced low academic achievement. Religion should being an integral of public education and should be a requirement of all students; however, an array of different religious courses should be offered so that one is not forced to learn something they have no interest
A significant facet of an early childhood professional is the ability to work with families. This however can be an area in which many professionals entering into the field can feel inadequate. In order to fully support all areas of a child’s performance as a professional it is critical to work with their families. In order to effectively work with families, you must be able to understand the diversity and complexity of families.
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” This quote by famous Greek philosopher, Socrates touches upon educations purpose as an instrument used in the creation and cultivation of a desire for knowledge. Higher education provides for an opportunity where emerging adults can find the tools needed to further develop and question the world in which they live. In relation, Dr. Sharon Parks’ theory of faith development explores this important period. This paper seeks to examine her notion of meaning and how it can be used and facilitated within a core curriculum.
It is estimated that around a dozen U.S. children will die in faith-healing cases each year. Typically associated with Christianity, Faith healing is founded on the belief that certain people or places have the ability to cure and heal sickness, disease, or injuries. Typically this “healing” is associated by a close connection to a higher power through prayer, divine intervention, or the ministration of an individual who claims himself as a healer. Faith has been scientifically proven in the field psychology to yield benefits to health. Although faith has promised a greater wellbeing for many individual’s lives, it has yet to be a significant replacement for medication many people but relaying on faith as a means for medication.
Among American Pagans today, there are many opinions on raising their children in a predominately Christian society. While it is true that in general most Americans are more tolerant of other’s religious beliefs, there are, however, still those that are not so tolerant. It is because of those few less tolerant that many Pagan parents have a hard time in navigating between these two worlds. Even though, in general, Christians are concerned with how another religion may be raising their own children (out of misunderstanding of another religion) they need not fear. With even a little accurate information, these groups would see that most alternative religions are harmless to another’s belief structure. Ultimately, what is at stake in this conversation is freedom of religion as it pertains to family. I believe that it is really the Pagan parents duty to teach their children how to live in a world that may be less tolerant of their own beliefs. There is no one right way on the subject of childrearing, but there are plenty of ways not to raise your child. There are also many factors involved that must be taken into consideration and most of those factors differ from one child to the next.
Moreover, some families choose to Homeschool in order to screen their child’s curriculum to remove secularist views found in modern day public school curriculum (2002). Others have children with special needs or learning disabilities, so they choose to homeschool (Maaja, 1997). Ultimately, families are looking for what they believe is best for their children. And these families want to be actively involved in the education of their children. Homeschooling parents do not want strangers raising their children. They want to raise their children with freedom from government systems and institutions (Ray, 2000a).
Religion is one of the most controversial issues in society today. The concern of allowing prayer in schools is an on-going debate and has resulted in numerous lawsuits. Religious school clubs, after school activities, curriculums, and moments of silence during school are just a few of the court cases that judges have administered. People in favor of prayer in schools believe that their children can only learn certain values through religious practice. On the other hand, an individual against religious practice in schools views this issue as an infringement on his or her children’s rights as Americans.
With the increase in prison population, and less money to work with, the correctional system is in dire need of a revolution. Since the prison system was established religious groups have always been willing to help inmates. In today’s society faith based programs have taken the lead in establishing prison rehabilitation and re-entry into society. Faith based programs provide economic benefits, reduce recidivism, and reduce crime. This work looks at several faith based programs in the prison system but focuses specifically on a study done by The Life Learning Program.
As adults, especially Christian adults, we have the responsibility to these children to guide them in the direction that is respectable and righteous. Proverbs 22:6 is very clear on this point; “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, King James Version...
Religion is a macrosystem that influenced my morals, attitudes, and the way I grew up as a child. Religion has been a significant factor in influencing my socialization and has influenced me to live a morally acceptable life. I started going to church when I was four years old and have been an active member for the last eighteen years. I have attended Sunday school classes, vacation bible school, have been a teacher in those programs, have been in the youth group, music group, media department, and have helped in the office positions. Being involved in these activities has been an important part of my life and is what takes up most of my time outside of school. My parents have also been active members and we, together, attend services and events regularly. Being a part of a religious organization has affected my development in ways that I had not even realized, ways that correlate to a study conducted to research the impact of religion on child development. According to the study by John Bartkowski (2008), children whose parents attend frequently exhibit greater social skills at home and impose positive effects on interaction skills, interpersonal skills and social competence. Another interesting finding was that attending church regularly has a strong influence on bolstering a child’s cognitive skills at school (Bartkowski, 2008). These results are consistent to my personal experience. Although I am an introvert, I do not find it difficult to communicate or interact with others and have had very positive experiences in school in all
A child is like a sponge that absorbs ideas and beliefs. Beliefs are taught to a child in subtle ways such as just listening to the parents and their opinions from everything including politics, social problems, moral issues and even opinions about how others behave. It is within the family unit that a person learns their moral values. It is from their parents that a child is taught right and wrong. Often this is through religious training. Religious beliefs or the lack of religious beliefs has a great influence on a person's beliefs and values.
Is homeschooling going to hurt your child or benefit your child? Homeschooling is debated by many parents throughout the United States. Many parents believe that they can do a better job than public schools in their area. Homeschooling is a better option than public schooling because children can learn more about what they are actually interested in, families have more free time, parents are the primary influence to their children, are more independent, learn more affectively, and children get to wear their pajamas. (check order of thesis/add to thesis)
A child only knows what it is taught, so if a child is only taught that their religion is the correct religion, they will believe that only their religion is correct. Children acquire the concept of religion before they can even think on their own. Children start going to church pretty much once they are born, that is if their family is religious. They are preached the stories of their religion from a very young age. So they learn to accept the stories, no matter how extreme the stories are. People believe what they’ve been surrounded by their entire life. They are told that there is a God and they don’t have the knowledge to question it, so they believe it. God then becomes unquestionably accepted, like waking up every day is. Ideas that are formed young typically have a great influence throughout a person’s life, this is why religion targets children at such a young age. Children are encouraged to come to church and participate in gatherings for young kids. It is easier to convince a naïve child than an educated adult.
I think that they are comfortable with it, because from a young age people bring their children to churches and bring them into their faith rather than letting that child decide when he or she is old enough to understand what religion is and whether or not they even want to be a part of any type of religion. It makes me think how people kind of force their own religion on their children and the children do not know that this could be something that they do not want. Those who do grow up in religious households, however, think that this is something normal. I am not saying that it is not normal to be a part of a religion. I am saying that they could think that it is normal because it is something that is so familiar to them, because they have been around it for most of their lives. Therefore, this making them feel comfortable with their religion and being a part of one. This is why I said that it may be desirable for someone 's own moral rules and principles to depend on religion, because it is something that they are familiar and comfortable
While students are attending public schools they should be aware of their religion options. The student should have the right to practice their religion as they please, just on the own time. Yes, religion plays a huge part in molding a person but, should be practiced when the time is available, not in a classroom setting. The government should have the ability to control the protection of the students that just want to learn. The capability to regulate the religious practices while attending public educational institutions should be left to the government. Faith, religion and belief, usually are three words that are used to describe one situation, although these words have three different meanings. To have faith in something or someone you must first believe in it and also accept it as well, but have a belief without evidence. Religion is a belief in a heavenly superhuman power or principle, such as the almighty or creator to all things. Everyone has faith and belief, but not all believers believe in the almighty. Allowing religion into public schools while everyone attending not having the same belief is unfair, unconstitutional and is complicated to teach to a verity of students.