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ERIC Number: EJ893540
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-May
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1364-436X
EISSN: N/A
Scriptural Engagement, Communication with God, and Moral Behavior among Children
Ovwigho, Pamela Caudill; Cole, Arnold
International Journal of Children's Spirituality, v15 n2 p101-113 May 2010
How often an individual reads or listens to scripture is one dimension of private spirituality rarely discussed in the literature. In this study, we use data from a random sample survey of 1009 American children (ages eight to 12) to explore children's engagement with the Christian Bible, their views of communicating with God, and their moral behavior. Most American children do not read or listen to the Bible regularly, but they do communicate with God almost daily through prayer. There is greater diversity in how children believe God communicates with them, including the Bible, actions (e.g. "answered prayers"), and the outcome of events (e.g. "good things happen to me"). Consistent with earlier studies of adults and teens, we find significant relationships between Bible engagement and moral behaviors. However, an important difference among children is that the effects are most prominent for those behaviors that are less subject to parental control and monitoring. (Contains 5 tables.)
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 - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A