TruthBook Religious News Blog

author Scott Cooper discusses the importance of teaching children about issues of faith and ethics in his latest book

Published: Wednesday, Mar 7, 2007

When it comes to education, much attention is paid to making sure children learn the three R’s: reading, ’riting and ’rithmetic. A lot of attention is also given to teaching kids how to work as a team through sports, and an appreciation for the arts through music programs. But it seems another critical aspect of education is being somewhat overlooked — the development of their inner morals, beliefs and values.

Scott Cooper, a Petaluma author and member of the city of Petaluma’s youth commission, addresses this topic in his latest book, “I Don’t Want to go to Church! Practical Ways to Deal with Kids and Religion (Whether You’re Religious or Not).”

“Based on Gallup Poll data as of the early 2000s, about 84 percent of young people considered religion to be very important to them,” said Cooper, who is a parent himself. “A study that came out in 2002 suggests that kids’ interest in faith has increased over the last few years. There’s no doubt that on a nationwide basis, young people are interested in issues of faith.”

Cooper has been writing on youth topics for a number of years and is best known for being an anti-bullying advocate. He’s been involved with teaching, coaching basketball and serving on education and drug-prevention boards. Having an interest in issues of philosophy and religion, Cooper wanted to write a book that provided parents with ways to teach their children about faith, morality and ethics.

And what issues of faith are kids interested in? “They are certainly interested in the big questions,” said Cooper. “One of the things that religion contributes to is our world view. It also addresses questions of purpose and where we come from and so forth. They have great interest in the larger issues of life and finding something they can grab hold of; having something bigger than themselves they can find comfort in and draw strength from.”

With the same Gallup Poll reporting that 95 percent of teens in the U.S. believe in the existence of God or a higher power, the issue of spirituality is one that needs to be addressed. In his book, Cooper discusses how at least some religion is important to children in that it aids in the teaching of morals, values and beliefs.

“High levels of faith connections are linked to lower levels of delinquency such as theft, vandalism and so forth,” said Cooper of a 2002 child trends report on children and religion. “The link between religious involvement and decreased teen alcohol and drug abuse is strong. It helps steer teens away from having sex too young. In early adolescence, it also helps develop in them positive associations and socially and altruistic attitudes and behaviors. Religious connections can keep children away from harmful influences, and on the other hand, help enhance positive social behavior, a sense of purpose and a positive guilt response. I mean positive guilt response in that it’s a healthy response to when you’ve done something wrong — you feel bad about it. Not all guilt is bad.”

Cooper added that helping children to develop morals, beliefs and values doesn’t require parents to be or become religious. “Most parents, regardless of whether or not they believe in God, certainly believe that life is unique and that something bigger than us created the universe, whether it was natural or supernatural. They also believe that it’s better to do good in this life and refrain from doing harm. I think most parents agree with the larger moral issues such as kindness being better than hate and nonviolence being better than violence. Most parents can agree on these core values whether religious or not.

Teaching kids about these issues can be done formally or informally. It can be faith-oriented through church or religious books or through non-religious activities such as spending time with your kids in nature just talking. “There are a number of things parents can do, religious or not.”

The most important thing, though, is to talk. “Something by way of grounding them in terms of faith and morality is critical, more so now than ever before,” said Cooper. “Given the Internet and the entertainment venues, if they don’t get it from their parents, they’re going to get it from somewhere else; being taught things we don’t want them to be taught. Sometimes we don’t have the support of society in trying to prompt our children to choose good.

“Sixty-seven percent of teens in the U.S. expressed a need in their lives for spiritual growth. If we’re not filling that in some form, there’s going to be a lack that they will find other ways to fill. Regardless of how formal we provide that direction, or informally, something needs to be provided for them in terms of religious and moral training. If you’re not religious, you can still provide them with a reverence for life and moral guidance.”

In addition to opening the dialogue between parents and children about these issues, Cooper said it’s also a good idea to get them involved with community service projects as a means of teaching. “Parents need to step-up and engage their children. Requiring them to experience community service can help them develop their inner lives, their morals, beliefs and values — the things that lead to happier lives.

(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@ arguscourier.com)

Labels: ethics, faith, God, morality, religion, Scott Cooper, spirituality