Does every minute that a child spends learning scripture count against their overall level of knowledge?

Question

Think about it; people are at their highest learning potential when they are children. If you want your children to be the same religion as you but also be able to contribute as much as they can to the progress of humanity, then doesn’t it make more sense to fill their young minds with as much real knowledge as possible then when they’re older, slowly introduce the bible or whatever religious text you follow? I’m sure God would want people to contribute to our progress as much as they can and they have much more potential for doing so with heads filled with knowledge about the present reality.

Answer 1

It's not a waste if you don't teach it literally and they understand the underlying philosophy and lessons.

If you teach them to take it all in literally, then yes, it hurts them.

Answer 2

You know very little of literature and history don't you? Regardless of whether you are a believer or not, most of western civilization is inundated with biblical ideas, mores, and morality. In fact, it was recently suggested that children should be taught Bible in school, not as a religious item, but as a tool to understand the philosophy, politics, literature, and religion of the last 2000 years.

Also, you really don't understand the nature of faith or of child raising. The most important thing you can give your child is a firm sense of values. If you really believe, you do not send your child out into an evil world without the tools to combat it. Besides which, how limited do you think the mind is. People, children especially, have an almost unlimited capacity to learn. There is more than enough room in the human brain to learn current events, science, history, art, music, economics, political science, etc and to learn how to pray.

Answer 3

No, just the opposite! Dr. David Lyle Jeffrey, Distinguished Professor of Literature and the Humanities at Baylor University said, “Loss of recognition [of the Bible] in the last three or four decades has put much of Western literature beyond the reach of many readers.”

When asked: what do you think about the following statement? “Regardless of a person’s faith, an educated person needs to know about the Bible”, these English professors answered:

“Absolutely. [Without the Bible] it’s like using a dictionary with one-third of the words removed.” -- Dr. George P. Landow, Brown University

“True. You’re simply ignorant of yourself if you don’t know the Bible.” -- Dr. Ina Lipkowitz, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

“Definitely. Agree.” -- Dr. Robert Kiely, Harvard University

“Not to have that is almost crippling in students’ ability to be sophisticated readers.”-- Dr. Ulrich Knoefplmacher, Princeton University

“Oh, absolutely. Absolutely.”-- Dr. Thomas P. Roche, Princeton University

“Incontestable statement.” -- Dr. Ralph Williams, University of Michigan

“Absolutely necessary. [Bible allusions are] more concentrated and more specific and profound and revisited over and over again; more necessary than classics.” -- Dr. Stuart K. Culver, University of Utah

“Yes. A no-brainer.” -- Dr. Gordon M. Braden, University of Virginia

“Every educated person deserves to know the Bible.” -- Dr. Leland Ryken, Wheaton College, IL

Answer 4

so you don't think learning scripture is real knowledge I mean thats what it sounds like you're saying just because children of a young age learn more quickly and remember it more easily does not by far mean that you can't learn in you're old age. People continue to learn their entire lives even to the day they die and besides its mostly just languages that should be taught at a young age

Answer 5

Desiree, I have children who were raised on Bible knowledge. I was not; I just got standard Public School pablum.

They have way surpassed me academically. They are both honors students, leaders and multiple award winners.

Your bias is based on flawed thinking.

The Word of God is spiritual food to the heart and mind. When you approach it by faith, not determining to find some "guilty hidden mind controller" that wrote it in the dark ages to capture people. But, instead take it at face value; it will make you wiser.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

My teenagers have never had accidents, never gotten stoned, never been drunk, never hurt anyone else and they have accomplished many things I never even dreamed of at their ages. They are happy, well adjusted and clever.

They know their Bibles very well.

Answer 6

Some of the greatest scientists the world has ever known came along at a time when the bible was an integral part of the education process. Perhaps you've never taken the time to research your opinion and see if it holds water.

Answer 7

Mom and Dad taught us a few prayers, and brought us to Sunday School when we were little (1 hour Sunday School, about 5 minutes prayers per day). This did not in any way interfere with our school work. I also went to Brownies for 1 hour per week, and my brother was on Little League for 3 months out of the year--didn't affect our school work.

Answer 8

Isn't learning scripture a form of learning knowledge? At least they are learning something so that they can be well educated against someone that tries to convert them.

Answer 9

The only thing God cares about is saving souls for a trip to heaven. That is why we are here. We are to witness to others so they can have the same chance we do to spend eternity in heaven. Our lives on earth are but a mere blink of time compared to eternity

Answer 10

Is this really who you want to be? Do you really want to be the person hiding behind an Avatar acting bitter and ignorant on the Internet? That can't be the way you want people to see you. Seriously, be respectful and earn the respect of others.