Religious education is a great way to instill tolerance, understanding, and respect in people of different faiths and religions. We live in a world that is increasingly becoming a global village. Technological advancements have led all geographical and social barriers to crumble slowly. Hence, the concept of diversity and respecting the differences between different religions have all but magnified.
Religious education is a great way to bridge the gap between different societies and has the potential to increase understanding between people of different faiths. Moreover, it is a great way to develop an understanding of oneself.
Religious education can helps young minds gain an understanding of the world’s history and how different cultures are so distinct but similar. Here are some other benefits that will tell you about the significance of religious education.
1. A Good Employment Scope and Career Advancement:
There are a lot of lucrative degrees in the market at the moment, and religious studies are one of them. However, with so few people pursuing this avenue, the rate of employment for religious education remains at an all-time high.
In fact, according to Student’s Review, only 2.5 percent of religious education majors were unemployed compared to 7.5 percent of business majors. This means that people with a Christian based education had more employment avenues than business students.
Moreover, according to Louisiana State University, majoring in religious education or studies often leads to students pushing for post-graduate and doctorate programs. Hence, it is an avenue that furthers your education.
2. Improves Brain Development:
One of the leading concerns for many parents is their children’s healthy growth and development. As a result, they often push themselves to be the best version of themselves for their children, giving them a healthy and nourishing environment.
Religious studies have been found to improve the ability of your child to absorb incoming information and reduce the risk of mental disorders. It helps improve adolescent mental health and can contribute to improved brain development.
Moreover, students who pursue religious education from a young age are more likely to have a creative streak. Being creative as a child leads to them being innovative and problem-solving members of society.
3. Inculcates The Habit Of Reading:
Religious studies include an extensive reading of biblical text, scriptures, and explanations of verses. This is a constant factor in religious classes and encourages students to read.
The Huffington Post states that 28% of Americans said they last read a book in 2013. That was approximately nine years ago! Reading is nourishing for the mind, body, and soul. It helps you open your mind to different worlds and realities and hence helps polish your personality.
4. Helps Maintain Discipline:
Nowadays, a leading concern for many parents and schools is the lack of discipline in the lives of children. This results in reducing their productivity and also leads to anxiety and stress.
Religion is a great way to add discipline to the lives of children. Religion is all about discipline and living a balanced life. According to Forbes, religion reduces juvenile delinquency in children. Moreover, people who actively engage in religious education are less involved with drugs and alcohol and experience lesser anxiety.
5. Reduces Anxiety And Depression:
Religious education and attending one or a few weekly spiritual sessions can add up to seven years of life expectancy. In addition, religious studies are seen to slowly ease away your sense of anxiety and help you stay more open to change. Moreover, it improves blood pressure and can help your immune system significantly.
Depression is one of the leading mental problems in the US. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 8.4 percent of US adults experience it.
6. Betters School Environment:
Schools that teach religious subjects and have religious education as one of their offered programs have a much better and healthier environment for children than charter schools. Positive morale can be seen, and there is mutual respect.
According to the Peabody Journal of Education, religious schools push their students to their limits and hence help them step out of their comfort zones and learn at a better pace than other schools. In addition, they push their students to take rigorous classes.
7. Self-reflection Becomes Easier:
Religious education helps students self-reflect and understand themselves better. The Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences states that religion helps children understand themselves and what feelings they harbor for religion and God.
This helps them self-reflect and focus on issues like self-development and their moral and spiritual standing in their life. In addition, this self-reflection helps them develop a better sense of identity.
8. Reduced Involvement In Illegal And Criminal Acts:
It is seen that those who actively engage in religious education tend to have a reduced involvement in juvenile acts compared to those who don’t seek religious education. This means that the state saves a lot of money on prison rehabilitation.
Such people often have a positive outlook on life and are often employed. However, they prefer avoiding acts that can harm those around them; instead, they actively engage in charity and other movements for the betterment of society.
9. Greater Learning Of Different Cultures and Religions:
Religious education helps students understand the significance and standing of various religions in society. When they listen to different stories about religion and cultures worldwide, they can appreciate the diversity within the human race. It helps them in their social, emotional, and personal development.
They can seek exposure by being part of religious and cultural conventions and learn how people from different religions lead life and about their outlook on life. In addition, it helps them become respectful and curious about other faiths across the world.
Bottom Line:
Religious studies have countless benefits, but one of its most prevalent ones is how it promotes open-mindedness, tolerance, respect, self-awareness, communication, and appreciation of your being. In addition, it helps people excel in morality and opens several avenues for them. At the end of the day, religious education is an integral part of a growing society and can help it reach its full potential.
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