Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1048
Well, Duh!
by Larry Ray Hafley
From the "Well, Duh" department of, "What took you so long to see the obvious?" we submit the following from Billy Stanczykiewizc in The Indianapolis Star of August 2, 2004:
What is noteworthy about "Hardwired to Connect" is that health care professionals known for their emphasis on science, medicine and technology now also emphasize the healthy consequences of religion, morals and spiritual life. They support their case by citing numerous studies on child well-being. For example, teenagers exhibiting religious faith and practice are less likely to become juvenile delinquents or adult criminals and are less prone to substance abuse. These teens are more likely to become community volunteers, participate in sports and be active in student government.
Kids also tend to benefit if their parents have a strong spiritual life. Religious faith and practice correlate with higher levels of parental affection and greater involvement in establishing discipline.
Comments: Let us state the obvious opposite. Teenagers who exhibit no religious faith and practice (because they have been taught that they descended from apes, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, and who believe there is no god who created them and no god to whom they must give account) are more likely to become juvenile delinquents and adult criminals and are more prone to become drug addicts (drunkards and dope-heads). These teens are more likely to become community parasites who demand their rights, saying that they are "entitled" to the goods and services provided by others. Those of this kind who excel in sports are given a free ride by coaches who ignore their lack of discipline and/or criminality and let them play because winning comes before character and doing right. They are not active in student government.
These children would benefit if their parents had a strong, spiritual life. A lack of religious faith and practice usually results in higher levels of parental neglect wherein children are given no training and discipline and never learn how they ought to behave and conduct themselves (Prov. 1:7-19; 3:1-12; 4:1-4, 14-19; 5:3-23; 7:1-27; 13:1; 23:17; 24:1; 31:10-31).
