Discussion Questions about Teens and Religion

[croberts2129]

I am looking for some feedback on a question and answer section of our newspaper which is examinight the effect of religion in teens. any response even if it strays from the questions would help us alot. Thanks.

1. How do you think religion effects the moral values of teens, either positive or negative? why?

2. Do you think that most teens who practice religion do it because of their parents, or because they share the same values ?

3. What effect do you think religion has in the long term on teens?

4. D you believe it is a good idea to force kids and teens to practice their parents religion? why or why not?

5. Do you think religion beliefs, such as intelligent design along with others beliefs, should be taught to students in school?

Thank you very much for participating
--Chris

 

[Green Gaia]

1. How do you think religion effects the moral values of teens, either positive or negative? why?

Of course religion is a factor in the moral values of everyone who follows a religion. But for teens I think it depends on the religion and the teen, but most importantly I think it depends on the parent's moral values and how effectively they transmit these to their children.

2. Do you think that most teens who practice religion do it because of their parents, or because they share the same values ?

I think most would tell you both of those reasons are a factor. Most will not have had the experience of being exposed to religions outside their own. So they don't know anything else. As a child becomes a teenager, some will hold onto the values of their parent's religion, and others will reject them.

3. What effect do you think religion has in the long term on teens?

Depends on the teen's experience. The religion my family followed when I was a teenager really turned me off religion and spirituality for a long time. I was disgusted with it all. It wasn't until I was older that I felt healed enough to follow where my spirit was leading me.

But other teens could have a wonderful experience with religion and it become a life-long commitment to them to the same religion.

4. D you believe it is a good idea to force kids and teens to practice their parents religion? why or why not?

Kids, yes they should go with their parents to church. Older teenagers, maybe not if they have valid disagreements with the religion and it's not just that they want to sleep in on Sunday mornings. But of course, this will always be up to the parents.

5. Do you think religion beliefs, such as intelligent design along with others beliefs, should be taught to students in school?

NO. Unless it an elective (not required) comparative religion class that teaches all the world's major religions and their impact on culture. No one religion should be taught as the only right one. All should be considered equally valid in such a class. But religious issues such as ID absolutely should not be taught in science class. Science class is for teaching science.

 

[Ormiston]

1. Neither. Their moral values are what they are. They learn these from their parents. The exception might be the rare case where a teen attends church on his/her own without their parents support.

2. I think 99% because of parents and/or family. They don't share values with their parents, they learn values from their parents.

3. Probably leads to continued attendance by them and their children in the future. Perhaps participation in church groups and charities. I do think teens that attend church would be more likely to join charity groups.

4. I think it is a good thing to teach your children about your beliefs/religion. Children do need guidance and discipline. Whether this is forcing or not is up to the parents. Once the teens are 18, they can choose how to spend their free time (maybe sooner, maybe later depending on the parents).

5. There is only one place in public school where religion should be taught: Religious Study Classes. Would anyone like their child to be taught how to read tarot cards in Algebra class? Maybe make voodoo dolls in art...

 

[michel]

I am looking for some feedback on a question and answer section of our newspaper which is examinight the effect of religion in teens. any response even if it strays from the questions would help us alot. Thanks.

I don't mind answering, but I am not sure if the validity of my answers will be useful to you; I am British, and live in England............

1. How do you think religion effects the moral values of teens, either positive or negative? why?

Religion is seen by teens as a ......do this......do that......don't............
The typical response from a teen is to do the opposite of what is advised or dictated; that is psychologically a norm.

2. Do you think that most teens who practice religion do it because of their parents, or because they share the same values ?

Both. There is an eight year old girl at our local church who goes every Sunday with her grandmother; her parents do not believe in Going to church. Apparently she becomes quite upset at the thought of not being able to go, for whatever reason.

Similarly, there are kids who are in the habit of going 'because Mum and Dad always have and they therefore do so is natural' (until they become teenagers and make up their minds either way.

3. What effect do you think religion has in the long term on teens?

Differs on the teen; me, I was interested, and very keen to become involved; most of my friends never mentioned it.

4. D you believe it is a good idea to force kids and teens to practice their parents religion? why or why not?

Forcing anyone to do anything immediately brings up, in them, the will to resist; I would therefore say 'no'.

5. Do you think religion beliefs, such as intelligent design along with others beliefs, should be taught to students in school?

In England, there is a normal subject inclusion called 'Religious kknowledge'. Here the children are given an overview of Christianity, of Buddhism, Islam, Judaism (well, all the major religions). They are not encouraged to specialize, but if they choose to continue to study different faiths, they have ample opportunity.

Thank you very much for participating
--Chris

I hope the above is of help.

 

[Mike182]

I am looking for some feedback on a question and answer section of our newspaper which is examinight the effect of religion in teens. any response even if it strays from the questions would help us alot. Thanks.

hmmm, not seen you here before! well, im 18, so i shall answer your questions

1. How do you think religion effects the moral values of teens, either positive or negative? why?

it is important to acknowledge that you do not have to follow a religion to have a base set of morals, some of my athiest friends don't drink alcohol onmoral grounds, whereas i do drink alcohol and i am christian

but saying that, i think if you ar apart of a religious organisation you are more likely to think about what your actually doing instead of just doing this, but thn again, their are people who claim to be religious but still act and behave like immoral fools

2. Do you think that most teens who practice religion do it because of their parents, or because they share the same values ?

i cannot say, i follow my own spiritual path, i do not know about others

3. What effect do you think religion has in the long term on teens?

it can make a person think deeper about their life situation, but a minority have also committed suicide because of religion, so i cannot pin-point what affect religion may have on a person

4. D you believe it is a good idea to force kids and teens to practice their parents religion? why or why not?

no, religion is a choice, a basic freedom, i think that parents should teach children about their religion if they are religious, but they should not pretend that that is the only way

5. Do you think religion beliefs, such as intelligent design along with others beliefs, should be taught to students in school?

they aren't, i thought they were! o, this could be an american/english thing - im english, and we do teach inteligent design - and quite rightly so

Thank you very much for participating
--Chris

no problem

C_P
note:
religion is a very broad term, covering many beliefs and values, which would affect people in a variety of ways! if we were comparing liberal christianity to calvinism, for example, my answers would be very different

 

[Shaggy Flasko]

1. How do you think religion effects the moral values of teens, either positive or negative? why?

I think that negative religion has negative moral, psychological, and emotional effects. Kids aren't made to hear, "why do you hate Jesus?" or "Jesus is crying in the back of the room" on a regular basis (note: these quotes do not reflect or represent the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, or the Church ).

It relies more on their upbringing and an understanding of the consequences of their actions. Relgion can help, but it can also hurt. For it to help, it has to be willful on the part of the youngster and benevolent in nature (I suppose, "love thy neighbor as thyself" sort of things)

2. Do you think that most teens who practice religion do it because of their parents, or because they share the same values ?

99.99% : parents.

3. What effect do you think religion has in the long term on teens?

I think that question 1 is similar to this. If the child is willfully involved in their religion, learning about it and gaining understanding, then it can be very positive and mentally stimulating in the long run. There's another side that seems to be neglected, which is the consideration of other beliefs and religions. If this rejected, then the results are often very negative, producing close minded behavior, impared reasoning skills, and often contempt for one's fellow man.

Again, I suppose it depends.

4. D you believe it is a good idea to force kids and teens to practice their parents religion? why or why not?

Absolutely not. They should be educated and given reason and logic as to why their parents hold to their religion. They should be taught "why", not just "what". If my beliefs are the truth, they can stand on their own. If my beliefs can't stand on their own under careful scrutiny, I'm would never desire to prevent my (hypothetical) children from seeing that.

5. Do you think religion beliefs, such as intelligent design along with others beliefs, should be taught to students in school?

I don't think that origins are really appropriate school material. We have no direct historical evidence, and the scientific evidence (for all sides) is extremely controversial. Let it remain for personal investigation or to be taught in the home.

I'm not going to try to pry creationism into schools, since it's largely based on one's religious (or non-religious) preference. I'm also not going to accept something taught as fact if it isn't well supported or documented (i.e. theories, such as evolution).

The jist of these responses probably lies in the idea that "People are born intelligent. They have to learn to hate knowledge." Teach them how to figure it out with logic, reason and (most of all) love for one another. Teach them not to be afraid of change, but to welcome it.

They can do it.

God bless.
-Bill

 

[BruceDLimber]

Greetings, Chris; good to see you here!

1. How do you think religion effects the moral values of teens, either positive or negative? why?

IF they observe it, true religion can have a most profound (and positive) affect both on teens, and to a lesser extent, hopefully also on those around them!

(And of course, to the extent that they ignore religion, its effect is minimized.)

2. Do you think that most teens who practice religion do it because of their parents, or because they share the same values ?

I can't speak to what effects "most" teens.

But as a Baha'i, this is something very clear!

You see, Baha'i parents have an obligation to see to it that their children receive instruction in ALL the great religions, not just in the Baha'i Faith. (Baha'i schools assist in this.) For the record, Baha'is see all the great religions as legitimate and of God.

And then at the Age of Maturity (15), it's up to each youth whether to join the Baha'i Faith, something else, or nothing at all! And the parents must support this decision.

So because membership in the Baha'i Faith can't be inherited and is solely a voluntary decision of each individual, it's definite that teen Baha'is--like every other Baha'i of whatever age--are so specifically because of their own personal conviction and desire, regardless of what their parents are!

We find this an excellent system!

3. What effect do you think religion has in the long term on teens?

Again, the answer ranges from profound to none whatever depending on whether or not they pay attention to it and practice it. Ideally, its effects are most wonderful!

4. D you believe it is a good idea to force kids and teens to practice their parents religion? why or why not?

It is not only an extremely bad idea, but specifically FORBIDDEN in scripture to force anyone (teens of course included) to practice any religion! Indeed, for us Baha'is, one of our central tenets is Individual Investigation of Truth: that each person has the right and duty to investigate all the religions, determine where the truth lies, and follow that! And NO ONE has the right to tell someone else what to believe! This is fundamental human and spiritual rights.

5. Do you think religion beliefs, such as intelligent design along with others beliefs, should be taught to students in school?

As optional electives, teaching religion is certainly fine, yes! Not as a requirement.

But so-called "intelligent design" is merely Yet Another Political Ruse designed to force the teaching of religious doctrine into public schools where it does not belong, so I'm not interested in its supporters' "claims." (What I--or anyone else--believes about creation should not affect the objectivity of public schools.)

Peace,

Bruce

 

[Crystal Red]

1. How do you think religion effects the moral values of teens, either positive or negative? why?

Depends what religion, most religions teach good morality, which would affect most teens in a good way, though all teenagers get curious & experiment. There are other teens of course who just rebel against their religion so react to the religions moral teaching in a bad way.

The more flexible modern religions teaches teens to create their own morality (especially Discordianism), so you really cannot tell how they woudl react to that.

2. Do you think that most teens who practice religion do it because of their parents, or because they share the same values ?

Most teens that practice religion do so because they have been brought up into that religion, so they may share the same values but it might be only because they've been forced to believe that. It will be because of their parents.

Teens who find religion as a teenager usually do so because they share the same beliefs (excluding posers, Wicca is especially famous for this).

3. What effect do you think religion has in the long term on teens?

If religion is forced upon someone from a young age, either they go with it & stay with that religion for life not fully understanding it. Or they rebel against it at that point, either staying atheist/agnostic, because their bad experiences with religion has made them reject it completely, or finding a new religion which suits them better.

Teens finding religion as a teen will often keep that for life as it will be more suited to them (excluding posers who often leave the phase fairly quickly).

4. D you believe it is a good idea to force kids and teens to practice their parents religion? why or why not?

No. If you are a parent then show your kid what your religion is about, but also let them know there are other options to pursue. Forcing religion on anyone is not a good idea & often results in bad consequences.

5. Do you think religion beliefs, such as intelligent design along with others beliefs, should be taught to students in school?

Yes, but they shoudl be sure to let the kids know it is not fact (the same goes for teaching evolution & unproven scientific theories, let's have a bit of balance here).