the role of religion in moral education

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The Role of Religion

in Moral Education

The Role of Religion

in Moral Education

© 2002 International Educational FoundationIEF is responsible for the content of this presentation only

if it has not been altered from the original.

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The Age of Technology Provides a Wealth of Information but Little Sense of OrientationThe Age of Technology Provides a Wealth of Information but Little Sense of Orientation

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Partners in EducationPartners in Education

HomeHome

SchoolSchool CommunityCommunity

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Dependent on a basicconsensus on values

For the state to prescribevalues threatens its ideological neutrality

Dependent on a basicconsensus on values

For the state to prescribevalues threatens its ideological neutrality

Dilemma of Modern DemocracyDilemma of Modern Democracy

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Indwelling capacity of the pupil to learn with encouragement and love

Moral reasoning based on internal dynamics, introspection and induction

Indwelling capacity of the pupil to learn with encouragement and love

Moral reasoning based on internal dynamics, introspection and induction

St Augustine,Bishop of HippoSt Augustine,Bishop of Hippo

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Emphasized reason and intellect

Knowing the good precedes doingthe good

Emphasized reason and intellect

Knowing the good precedes doingthe good

Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas

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Martin Luther,Religious ReformerMartin Luther,Religious Reformer

Insisted that classical learningbe used to foster moral characterand spiritual growth

Insisted that classical learningbe used to foster moral characterand spiritual growth

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Represented a new approach to education that emphasized experience overformal instruction

Proposed “natural education” to allowthe spontaneous development of the child

Represented a new approach to education that emphasized experience overformal instruction

Proposed “natural education” to allowthe spontaneous development of the child

Jean Jacques RousseauJean Jacques Rousseau

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To know that what is impenetrable

to us really exists, manifesting itself

as the highest wisdom… this knowledge,

this feeling is at the center of true

religiousness. In this sense, I belong in

the ranks of the devoutly religious men.

To know that what is impenetrable

to us really exists, manifesting itself

as the highest wisdom… this knowledge,

this feeling is at the center of true

religiousness. In this sense, I belong in

the ranks of the devoutly religious men.

Albert EinsteinPhysicist

Albert EinsteinPhysicist

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Religion…can conjure up moods of

sublime exaltation, and also images

of dread and terror

Religion…can conjure up moods of

sublime exaltation, and also images

of dread and terror

Elizabeth Nottinghamprofessor

Elizabeth Nottinghamprofessor

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Not to do any evil, to cultivate good,

to purify one’s mind—this is the

teaching of the Buddhas.

Not to do any evil, to cultivate good,

to purify one’s mind—this is the

teaching of the Buddhas.Buddhism

Dhammapada 183

BuddhismDhammapada 183

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“Membership in religious institutions,

and particularly frequency of attendance

at religious services, is a strong predictor

of giving and volunteering.”

“Membership in religious institutions,

and particularly frequency of attendance

at religious services, is a strong predictor

of giving and volunteering.”

Virginia A. Hodgkinson

Key Factors Influences Caring, Involvement and Community

Virginia A. Hodgkinson

Key Factors Influences Caring, Involvement and Community

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The Lord is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in

steadfast love. The Lord is good to

all, and his compassion is over all

he has made.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in

steadfast love. The Lord is good to

all, and his compassion is over all

he has made.Psalm 145.89

Judaism and Christianity

Psalm 145.89Judaism and Christianity

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Creates order out of chaos

Provides a model for moral development

Provides a moral authority

Can provide strength in adversity

Can be a source of unconditional love

Creates order out of chaos

Provides a model for moral development

Provides a moral authority

Can provide strength in adversity

Can be a source of unconditional love

Relationship with a Loving God:Relationship with a Loving God:

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I understood how a man who has

nothing left in the world may know

bliss, be it only for a brief moment,

in the contemplation of his beloved.

I understood how a man who has

nothing left in the world may know

bliss, be it only for a brief moment,

in the contemplation of his beloved.

Victor FranklMan’s Search for Meaning

Victor FranklMan’s Search for Meaning

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These families said that they had an

awareness of God or a higher power

that gave them a sense of purpose and

gave their family a sense of support

and strength.

These families said that they had an

awareness of God or a higher power

that gave them a sense of purpose and

gave their family a sense of support

and strength.

Nicholas StinnettNicholas Stinnett

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Ritual moments are thus a pedagogy

in ethics. They embody and reflect the

key elements of the moral point of view,

and they impart the information and skills

needed for its successful application.

Ritual moments are thus a pedagogy

in ethics. They embody and reflect the

key elements of the moral point of view,

and they impart the information and skills

needed for its successful application.

Ronald GreenProfessor of Religion

Dartmouth College

Ronald GreenProfessor of Religion

Dartmouth College

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Potential Significance of aBelief in the AfterlifePotential Significance of aBelief in the Afterlife

Can enhance moral development

Provides motivation to checkone’s actions

Less attachment to body andmaterial things

Establishes priority on loving relationships and service

Can enhance moral development

Provides motivation to checkone’s actions

Less attachment to body andmaterial things

Establishes priority on loving relationships and service

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I believe that religious dialogue is a

supremely ethical enterprise.

The objective of such dialogue is not only

to learn the facts about other people but

also to clear the world community of

prejudice and misunderstanding and to

establish human fellowship.

I believe that religious dialogue is a

supremely ethical enterprise.

The objective of such dialogue is not only

to learn the facts about other people but

also to clear the world community of

prejudice and misunderstanding and to

establish human fellowship.Muzammil Siddiqi

Islamic scholarMuzammil Siddiqi

Islamic scholar