EDITORIAL

Bible camp

Posted 6/26/14

Religion is one of the most fortifying beliefs an individual can have. It helps to shape not only beliefs in the afterlife, but also how life is on this earth.

Hindus live their lives determined …

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EDITORIAL

Bible camp

Posted

Religion is one of the most fortifying beliefs an individual can have. It helps to shape not only beliefs in the afterlife, but also how life is on this earth.

Hindus live their lives determined by their caste that dictates not only their occupations, but also their social lives. Buddhists live hoping to increase their karma or moral causation. What goes around comes around after all. Muslims are expected to honor Allah by praying toward Mecca five times a day. And of course Christians are to honor and serve God throughout their life.

Different religions and sects are endless, so how is one to choose?

Many people grow up to accept whatever religion their parents believed in, that their parents believed in and so on.

To ensure the continuance of Christianity or to just have children interact with their God and find faith, there is Bible camp.

St. Peter’s is having a Vacation Bible Camp this week. Campers chant, “Jesus loves you” numerous times throughout the day and also sing songs to the same purpose. The camp, though, is doing so much more than just instilling religion in their campers. Using religion as a mechanism, these children are being taught to love themselves more than anything in the face of peer pressure, disease and adversity, as well as to love those in our lives who are facing the same, which is more important than anything.

St. Peter’s uses Jesus to exemplify how a good life should be lived and lets the campers know that differences should be celebrated not shamed.

Now, this system is not foolproof. In any religious faction there is sure to be a few rebellious teens who deny the religion their parents wanted them to follow; however, we must realize that some children, through no effort of their own, may just grow up to realize their beliefs are in a different place.

And nothing is wrong with that. Children have a right to explore other religions than the ones their parents follow. Because celebrating differences should transcend even religious prejudices.

Every religion has a large set of rules, most typically outlined throughout a holy book such as the Koran and the Bible, but there is an everlasting theme that strings itself through every religion, every holy character, and every religious text.

Live a good and moral life.

Jesus told his followers, Muhammad his, and Buddha explained it throughout Asia. Now we are responsible for telling our children this whether through religion or not.

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  • falina

    Is this an editorial or advertisement?

    Friday, June 27, 2014 Report this