Archbishop of Canterbury's speech?

Question

What is peoples opinion of the comments of the Archbishop's statement that childhood has been killed by computer games, advertising and junk food? Also, what do YOU think should be done about it.
For me, the problem is a collapse in the teaching and upholding of traditional Biblical moral teaching. This is primarilly due to the secularisation and stigma that has been attached to Christian belief, and the secularisation of schools- many schools including the one I went to here in Hartlepool did teach about world religions, but little about the religion I now love, Christianity. What I learnt about this country's faith I learnt from religious texts (in Latin), the Bible and the internet.
That and a capitalist rather than a socialist approach to politics means that childhood in this country is history. This doesn't occur in many other European countries, so why here?
Opinions please, on my ideas and the speech made by Dr Rowan Williams.

Answer 1

Dr Rowan harks back to the mythical golden age of young scamps climbing trees after conkers and playing kick about in the backs, getting all you information from you betters (Him) and doffing you cap to same obeying them in all matters that they decide.
Childhood and indeed the world has moved on. the ability to reason and decide what is best for the individual is now left for that individual, we no longer beat children or ruin their childhood sending them up chimneys. Our own fears for their safety makes us set up systems at home so that they are protected and cherished.
Religion is not nor ever was the only way to lead a moral life. I don't have television in the house and teach Luke my 5 year old that McDonald's are poisonous. he dosen't play computer games , I do. He is full of life and appears contented, he breezes in and out when at play. He is agood child but has no religion. The Torah Q'ran and Bible are only documents for the morals of the time of righting. The world moves on, religion lives in History.

Answer 2

It's easy--and common--to blame all the woes of society on the opposition party or those who believe differently than you do, but this isn't the way to find the answer. That said, I think the archbishop made some good points.

I think there's no question that children are spending time playing computer games that used to be spent interacting with others, joining clubs, reading, and such. The lack of physical activity, plus junk food, has certainly contributed to the rise in obesity, which is in no way good and will cost society a pretty penny in the long run. Adverts aimed at children that teach them to eat sugary and fatty foods should be monitored, and perhaps regulations on language used in these ads should be considered.

I'll agree that character building should be a higher priority of schools, but this isn't the same as "turning back to spiritualism." Religion isn't the answer; it's an impediment to progress. But ethics can, and should, be taught without the burden of superstition.

Dr. Williams's suggestion that parenting skills be promoted is a good one. There are too many children rearing children these days, and they simply don't know what to do.

Answer 3

I agree with all that. I think teaching about other faiths is a good thing because it's ignorance that caused fear and intolerance, but many christians teach their kids at home so they don't become indoctrinated with lies about evolution etc. I send my kids to a local school and simply teach them the truth at home so they are aware of it.
It's hard to keep children away from computor games when all their mates have them, do you make them feel and look out of place or let them have the freedom to choose whilst encouraging them to make right choices? I don't know what the answer is but I trust God to help my boys through all of life's temptations and will continue to encourage them to pray and read the Bible so they can make good choices for themselves as they grow up.

Answer 4

I wont go into your faith arguments as I neither mean to be rude nor is it my place to be. As far as Dr. Rowan's speech is concerned I'm afraid he doesn't have any grasp of what he is talking about. This is a man so far removed from society, from the people he speaks of that it's like me passing social judgement on Australian Aborigines. I know them not, so why-fore should I judge.
In his fear that the Church is not only losing membership but society is moving forward at a faster pace than the Church he's trying to pull us back.
If the Church wishes to influence the society we live in it must be relevant to that society, it must understand that society. How many poor people attend services at Canterbury Cathedral? How many poor people are married there annually? How many poor people have their funeral service there?
Christ lived among the poor but it seems his spirit has been hijacked for the benefit of others.

Answer 5

Yes, educational standards are currently appalling. Successive governments have fouled things up for decades. As an educator (I am an androgogue, not a pedagogue) I am deeply worried and would like to see an emphasis on literacy, numeracy, science and critical thinking. I enjoyed a good state education - we got it right once, and could do again.
No, I would not like to see a return to emphasis on traditional Xtian values such as hypocrisy, intolerance, ignorance, inequality, sexism, racism, superstition, credulity, homophobia etc etc.
And who is this mumbling priest to assume that he has any authority to pass comment on anything at all? Let him get back to god bothering and whittling about his increasing irrelevant, minority flock of credophiles.

Answer 6

Obviously the break up of the family unit would affect kids, so lax morality for sure would play a large role in hurting children. The family is the base of society, if you destroy that then the whole society is in trouble

Answer 7

Western culture on the decline

Answer 8

Let's riot and destroy and kill everyone in our path! Oh wait, we're not Muslims. OK I guess we should reflect on what was said I try to improve our selves in the eyes of God.

Answer 9

i can't really be bothered to answer fully so i'll just say he's desperate for ppl to turn back to religion