ERIC Number: EJ878340
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Dec
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1361-7672
EISSN: N/A
Be Ye Perfect? Religious Ideals in Education
de Ruyter, Doret J.
Journal of Beliefs & Values, v27 n3 p269-280 Dec 2006
This article explores the meaning of "religious ideals" and their possible role in education. "Religious ideals" are defined as ideals that acquire meaning due to a belief in transcendence or a divine being. Two kinds of religious ideals are being distinguished, namely ideals that are constituted by a belief in a transcendent being and ideals that are being determined by this belief. These types of ideals are illustrated by means of the Christian tradition. An example of the first is devotion to God and to the second belong the four cardinal virtues. The second part deals with two issues that are particular to the education of religious ideals. First, I counter the critique that people who have religious ideals are fanatics who pursue the realization of their ideals relentlessly. Secondly, I show that educating children with religious ideals may have positive effects, namely the influence on their development towards autonomy and moral commitment. (Contains 3 notes.)
Descriptors: Religion, Christianity, Religious Factors, Goal Orientation, Role of Religion, Educational Principles, Values
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A