The Role of Religious Institutions in the Moral Development of The Child

Religion is a major force in the lives of most Americans. In deeded, international studies continually report a comparatively high level of religious practice among Americans. Because religion is above all, a meaning system, it naturally speaks to its adherents about right and wrong, good and bad. For many Americans, the first and foremost moral guide is their own religion. While the theological doctrines of religions differ substantially, there is a great deal of overlap in moral theologies, particularly in their everyday applications. Historically, moral teachings have been central to all religions. For instance, historically speaking, since the time of the Bible, moral teachings have been central to Judaism. The Bible is, at its core, a book of ethical teachings. Talmudic sages are seen as moral exemplars, and medieval writers such as Bahya ibn Pakudah and Maimonides, Moses Haylm Luzzatto in the 18th century and the Musar Movement of the 19th century developed a systematic approach to the ethical teachings of the Bible and Talmud in order to teach morals.