Christianity & Religious Upbringing (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Christian teachings about raising children

What does Christianity teach about raising children?

• Christian teachings about raising children focus on nurturing them in a loving, supportive, and faith-centred environment

• Christians believe that parents should love their children as God loves them

  • The Bible teaches that children should be treated with kindness, patience, and care

  • Jesus taught that people should ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39), which includes loving and respecting children

• Christian parents are encouraged to teach their children about God, Jesus, and the Bible

  • The Bible says, ‘Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it’ (Proverbs 22:6)

• Parents should lead by example in prayer and worship, helping their children develop a personal relationship with God

• The Bible teaches that parents should discipline their children, but in a loving way

  • Proverbs 13:24 says, ‘Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them’

• Children are taught to respect and obey their parents, as this is seen as honouring God’s commandment (Ephesians 6:1-3)

• Christian parents are encouraged to teach their children the Ten Commandments and help them understand how to live a moral life, based on the values of honesty, kindness, and integrity

• Parents are also encouraged to teach the teachings of Jesus, such as loving your neighbour, forgiveness, and helping others

• A stable, loving family is considered essential for a child's well-being

  • Parents are expected to create a home where children feel safe, valued, and supported

• Christianity teaches that children are a gift from God, and parents should respect their dignity and individuality

  • Psalm 127:3 says, ‘Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him’

• Parents are encouraged to help children grow in their potential, providing opportunities for learning, creativity, and spiritual growth

• Parents are seen as role models for their children, and are called to live out Christian values in their daily lives

  • Children learn by observing their parents’ behaviour, so living in a way that reflects Christian teachings is important

Features of a Christian upbringing

What are the features of a Christian upbringing?

• A Christian upbringing is when a child is raised in a Christian environment and taught the values, beliefs, and practices of Christianity

• This can happen through many different practices which take place during childhood

  • Many Christian families baptise their children as babies, believing it welcomes them into the Christian faith and the church community

    • This is seen as a way to cleanse original sin and begin their spiritual journey

    • Parents or godparents make promises to raise the child in the Christian faith, teaching them about God and church life

IMAGE: Infant baptism in Christianity

• Children are taught about the Bible, Jesus, Christian values, and the teachings of the Church

  • This might happen at home, at Sunday school, or in a Christian school

• They learn Christian morals such as kindness, forgiveness, and honesty, which are based on the teachings of Jesus

• Regular attendance at church services is an important part of a Christian upbringing

  • This helps children learn about worship, prayer, and the Christian community

• Key Christian festivals like Christmas (celebrating the birth of Jesus) and Easter (celebrating the resurrection of Jesus) are important events in a Christian household

• Christians often pray as a family, teaching children to communicate with God

  • Common prayers include the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers of thanks and petition

• Children are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with God through prayer and worship

  • This helps them grow in their faith and understanding of Christianity

• Christian parents often teach their children the importance of the Ten Commandments and Jesus' teachings, such as loving your neighbour, helping the poor, and seeking peace

• Children may look up to Christian role models like saints or Biblical figures for inspiration in how to live a Christian life

• Christian families often encourage acts of charity, helping others, and showing compassion to those in need, following the example of Jesus

• Parents may guide children to make choices in life that align with Christian teachings, such as being honest, kind, and respectful

• As children grow older, they may receive sacraments such as First Communion (in Catholic or Orthodox churches) or Confirmation (in Protestant churches)

  • These are important milestones in a child’s Christian faith

• A Christian upbringing includes being part of a church family, where children can form relationships with other Christians and grow in their faith together

Christian responses to non-religious views on upbringing

Humanist views on religious upbringing

• Humanists focus on human reason, ethics, and happiness, rather than religious beliefs

• They believe in making decisions based on reason and evidence, rather than faith

• Humanists believe that children should be encouraged to think critically and independently

  • They may argue that raising children to follow one religion without questioning it could limit their ability to form their own beliefs

  • They would prefer children to be taught about various world-views and allowed to make their own decisions about faith

• While humanists do not follow religious teachings, they do believe in teaching children good moral values, such as kindness, respect, and fairness

  • Humanists might argue that these values can be taught without religious belief, and that parents should focus on promoting empathy, responsibility, and social justice

• Humanists generally support the idea that children should have the freedom to choose their own beliefs when they are older

  • They may feel that a Christian upbringing could impose beliefs on children too early, without allowing them to explore other perspectives

Atheist views on religious upbringing

• Atheists do not believe in the existence of God and typically reject religious explanations for life and the universe

• Atheists might believe that children should be raised without religious teachings, especially if they do not share those beliefs themselves

  • They may feel that teaching children about Christianity and other religions is fine, but they would prefer to raise them without religious instruction, allowing children to form their own conclusions

• Atheists would likely encourage children to rely on reason, logic, and scientific evidence to understand the world, rather than faith-based beliefs

  • They may argue that children should be taught the facts about science, like evolution and the Big Bang Theory, and not be told religious explanations unless they choose to explore them later

• Like humanists, atheists believe children can be taught good moral values without the need for religious faith

  • Atheists might argue that being kind, fair, and respectful doesn’t require religious belief but can be part of growing up in a non-religious household

What are Christian responses to non-religious views on upbringing?

• Christians believe it is important to raise children in the Christian faith because they see it as part of their duty to pass on their religious beliefs and values

  • They believe that teaching children about God, Jesus, and Christian morals gives them a strong foundation for life

• Christians may argue that while critical thinking is important, it should be paired with a faith-based education that teaches children about the meaning of life, purpose, and morality from a Christian perspective

  • They might see teaching children about Christianity as offering them a moral compass and understanding of the world that other world-views might not provide

• Christians believe that the Bible offers the best guidance for living a moral life

  • They might respond to humanist or atheist views by arguing that the Christian faith teaches children love, forgiveness, kindness, and honesty, values that are crucial for a well-rounded moral upbringing

• While atheists may believe that children can learn moral values without religion, Christians might argue that Christian values offer a deeper, more meaningful foundation for ethics

  • They may also point out that without a belief in God, moral values could be seen as subjective or changeable, while Christian teachings provide an objective moral framework based on God’s commands

• Christians believe in free will, so many support the idea that children should choose their own beliefs when they grow older

  • However, they also believe that it’s important to give children a strong foundation in the faith, so they can make an informed decision about their beliefs later in life

• Christians believe that religion plays an important role in society by promoting values like love, compassion, and social justice

  • They might argue that raising children with Christian beliefs helps children contribute positively to society by caring for others and seeking peace

• Christians might argue that atheists underestimate the role religion plays in encouraging people to live good lives

  • They may point out that Christian charities and social work are often rooted in faith-based principles, showing how religion can lead to positive actions in the world

• Christians might feel that a purely non-religious upbringing is incomplete because it leaves out the spiritual aspect of life

  • They believe that children should be taught about God's purpose for their lives and that their spiritual well-being is as important as their intellectual and physical development

• Christians might argue that a non-religious upbringing doesn’t provide children with a complete view of the world, which includes understanding the existence of God, the importance of faith, and the spiritual dimension of human life