This article says studies show it is.
According to multiple reports, research has shown that
a secular upbringing may be healthier for children. According to a 2010 Duke University
study, kids raised this way display less susceptibility to racism and peer pressure, and are “less vengeful, less nationalistic, less militaristic, less authoritarian, and more tolerant, on average, than religious adults.” But the list of benefits doesn’t stop there.
I'm suspicious of the study. While I think that the religious right might be promoting vengeance, nationalism, militarism, and authoritarianism, and while I think that all those character traits are negative, I think that a kinder, gentler, more progressive religious faith provides a good ethical framework for adulthood and beyond.
What do you think?
Gone are the days of the unyielding God-fearing mother as the archetype of good parenting, suggests a recent article from the Los Angeles Times. According to multiple reports, research has shown that a secular upbringing may be healthier for…
www.bustle.com
I would be surprised if progressive religious faith necessarily provides a better ethical framework than a traditional religious faith. Progressives can be every bit as authoritarian and intolerant as traditionalists, for instance. Also, considering how topsy-turvy the world is right now, I'd only use those terms loosely. Instead, a clear focus on ethical behavior and kindness is probably more important in fostering wholesome values in the next generation.
You tell them 'This is what I believe and this is why I believe it'. That's about it.
Pretty much, although I'd add that it's important to live one's faith so as not to be hypocritical.
Church activities were positive for me, and what I learned was mostly consistent with the local culture and what was taught at (public) school. While I don't think it's necessarily good to be heavy-handed with children, I don't think it's right to exclude their participation to just figure things out on their own. When they're old enough, they will need to decide what they believe anyway. May as well do what we can to raise them well in the meantime.
Such associative studies are a junk science. The "good upbringing" depends on so many factors that it has no point to even try to reduce it to "religion vs non-religion".
Also, the definitions of "healthier, less vengeful" etc are so vague and subjective, that they bear no useful meanings.
Agreed. Other factors probably play a greater role than whether parents are secular or religious, and the definitions of what constitutes healthy, less vengeful, etc. are important yet somewhat nebulous.
My religious upbringing was among professionals in a nice suburban town where the children had consistently high standardized test scores, crime was low, etc. Most families were some flavor of Christian, Jewish, Hindu, or Buddhist. I was fortunate to experience this firsthand as I'm well aware that it isn't the norm everywhere. Although I only knew a few Atheists, I would be surprised if their upbringings were collectively more or less healthy than those with a traditionally religious background in terms of what's mentioned here.
Christianity is focused on personal values, one's relationship with God, and functioning within a community. Last I checked, healthy and unhealthy behaviors are endemic to humanity in general. Something that's shared among believers and non-believers alike. While I think Christian values are advantageous, I also believe that we are made in God's image regardless of religious faith and are capable of moral and ethical people without religious affiliation, if a bit more difficult to achieve outside of a Christian context.
One example, based on what I've observed in the peoples' lives around me, pertains to recovery from addictions, turning from previously unhealthy lifestyles in favor of more traditional religious values in terms of temperance, relying on on God and the structure of religious morality. Rather than having to make up their own moral and ethical frameworks. Although similar conclusions may be reached either way, there are fewer steps involved when espousing an already existing religious faith.
