Children Are Born Believers
7 August 2008 Hits:3297
What I have believed and taught for years has finally been backed up by research – children are born believers!
I don’t have time in this blog to go into the theology of children and their eternal salvation. If this topic is of interest to you listen to this message in the Answers to Searching Questions series in which I address the question, “What happens to babies and young children who die? – Do they all go to heaven?”
Now, back to my original statement – children are born believers! The Age recently reported that “Infants are hardwired to believe in God, and atheism has to be learned.” According to Dr Olivera Petrovich, an expert in psychology of religion, belief in God is not taught but develops naturally. Her findings were based on several studies particularly one of Japanese children aged four to six, and another of 400 British children aged five to seven from seven different faiths. The conclusion: “Atheism is definitely an acquired position.”
This has certainly been born out in my own experience over many years of teaching Religious Education to children in Primary Schools. There was always the one or two kids who would be atheists but it was always as a result of what they had heard their parents articulate about there being “no God.” All the other kids – including those from homes where no particular faith was adhered to – believed in the existence of God and were fascinated by discussions on spirituality and life after death.
What a huge responsibility there is in parenting a child – to protect this inherent belief in God and to nurture it into a vibrant faith that remains a strong foundation throughout the child’s life. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14-16)
What a huge responsibility there is in parenting a child – to protect this inherent belief in God and to nurture it into a vibrant faith that remains a strong foundation throughout the child’s life. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14-16)
Rob Buckingham
Senior Minister
One reply on “Children Are Born Believers”
Well, that will explain my very clear and distinct memories of talking to God when playing in the backyard by myself as a young child. Mum and dad are not Christians and although they took me to Sunday School when I was young, we didn’t talk about it much at home. And yet I remember constantly talking to God when playing hopscotch and other games. I still talk to Him today – it’s a habit. Kathie Thomas