Religious Education in Authentic Human Development: A Theological-Ethical Consideration
From a theological ethical moral view, it seems obvious that adequate religious moral education is a sine qua non for authentic human development necessary for a solid nation-building. Although, state and religion are separated from each other, this should not imply a total dichotomy of religious in...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
David Publishing Company
2022
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| In: |
Cultural and religious studies
Year: 2022, Volume: 10, Issue: 1, Pages: 62-72 |
| Further subjects: | B
Evangelization
B Education B Religious B Development B Human Person B Virtue B Authentic B Morals |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | From a theological ethical moral view, it seems obvious that adequate religious moral education is a sine qua non for authentic human development necessary for a solid nation-building. Although, state and religion are separated from each other, this should not imply a total dichotomy of religious influence on socio-political matters. A pure secularised world that has nothing to do with God, a society devoid of any form of religious affiliation, a society purely human having neither to do with God nor the spirits, such a society seems inconceivable and unrealistic and may not even be human. Experience shows that to be human demands some form of acknowledgment of a superior being, whose influence may inform one’s basic choices. The nature of the human person shows that there is nothing of the material that does not take its bearing from the religious-spiritual disposition of the person. Experience also confirms that a good moral life or virtuous life draws faith. St James the apostle implies this, when he says faith without good works or good moral life is dead (James 2:18). This can also be applicable to Abraham who is judged righteous because of his faith in God, i.e., because he obeyed God’s command. Without faith, it is impossible to do God’s will, i.e. live a good moral life (Hebr 11:6). On the other hand, there are many forms of development, for instance: economic development, agricultural development, scientific, rural or urban development, which narrow into the human development that seems to determine their level. However, to have a solid sustainable development demands an adequate religious-moral education of the people, which functions both in the informal and formal forms of education. In as much as religious moral education gives solid grounding for adequate formation of the human person, the end result, and the development of the human person should at the same time reflect the national development. Development thus understood is holistic embracing the good of the individual as well as the nation. This article argues that authentic human development that may produce a national development worthy of the name draws from adequate religious moral education imparted on the citizens. It shows also that a worthy national development is a fore test of the development of the citizens of that nation, which in turn indicates their commitment to the common good. It is through the application of the common good that individuals reach their desired goals and so be able to contribute to the enrichment of the nation. This article suggests that good moral life is the manifestation of virtue learnt and practiced, which leads to adequate human development that eventually brings about solid national development. This type of development can be compared to what Pope Benedict XVI calls true social development, which respects the dignity of the all human beings. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-2177 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Cultural and religious studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.17265/2328-2177/2022.01.004 |