Born Believers

Question 1

What is an indictrination Hypothesis

Answer 1

Children believe in something because their parents and important adults in their community have taught them and unmercifully brainwashed them

Question 2

What is the natural belief hypothesis

Answer 2

Children are inherently inclined to believe in a higher power due to their cognitive makeup. this perspective argues that children are programmed to seek meaning in tgheir environment and attribute creation and morality to a supernatural being

Question 3

What is early moral understaning?

Answer 3

Research suggests that even infants display an understanind of right and wrong, suggesting an inherent moral compass that might percede explicit religious teaching

Question 4

What does understanding agents mean

Answer 4

From infancy, children readily perceive agents capable of self directed movement and intentional actions.

Question 5

What is search for purpose

Answer 5

Children exhibit teleological reasoning, assuming that things exist for a purpose. They readily find reasons and intentions behind events, even random ones, which aligns withbthe concept of divine design

Question 6

What does world as manufactured mean?

Answer 6

Young children often believe that the world much like human made objects, must have been created by someone

Question 7

What is natural religion?

Answer 7

Defined as the set of natural beliefs about God/gods that all individuals possess

Question 8

What is nontemporality?

Answer 8

The concept that God exists outside od time is difficult for children, who tend to think in linear, temporal terms

Question 9

What is nonspatiality?

Answer 9

Teh God that God does not occupy a specific location in space is abstarct and challenging

Question 10

What is unlimited attention?

Answer 10

the notion that God can attend to everything simultaiously is difficult for children, whose attentional capacities are limited

Question 11

What are some implications for religious education?

Answer 11

Start early: Engaging children in religious concepts from a young age can capitalize on natural curiosity
Concrete examples: Children grasp religious ideas better when presented with concrete examples and relatable stories, rather than abstract principles
Connect teaching to actions: Linking religious teachings to everyday behaviours
Model desired behaviours: Children learn by observing others, particularly those they trust
Foster secure attachment: A secure attachment relationship with carehgivers can create a foundation of trust and openness