“Spirituality, Not Religion, Makes Kids Happy”
That is great to know. The wisdom of the ages has enlightened our minds and illuminated our hearts. Kids want to be spiritual but not religious! As a loving father, I now know exactly what to do for my two girls. They want to be spiritual. Spirituality makes them happy.
The article with the above title came from the on-line version of U. S. News and World Report. The article author writes, “Specifically, the study shows that children who feel that their lives have meaning and value and who develop deep, quality relationships — both measures of spirituality, the researchers claim — are happier.” So, spirituality is defined by these researchers as 1.) understanding that life has meaning; 2.) understanding that life has value; 3.) developing deep, quality relationships.
The study was conducted by three researchers with the University of British Columbia. In contrast with meaning, value, and quality relationships, “religion” was found to have no meaningful effect on happiness. Religion is only one “venue” for the experience of spirituality, according to the researchers and even at that it is – (gasp) institutionalized. People want to be spiritual but they are “less enthusiastic about the concept of God”. Attending church, praying, and meditating had little effect on children’s happiness. The children were ages 8-12.
I believe psychology has a lot to offer. I’ve had classes in several areas of psychology, including developmental and educational psychology. But psychology is not a cure-all. “Spirituality” comes from the basic English word “spirit.” From whence came the spirit of man? “Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him…” (Zechariah 12:1).
The spirit of a child comes from God, the Father. A child is composed of three components: spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The soul of the child, in this verse, refers to his/her physical life – what separates him/her from dead & inanimate matter. The body, of course, is created at conception at the union of the parental cells. The spirit is the component of a child that instills in him/her the value of a sentient being, in contrast with animals.
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If God is the creator of the spirit of the child, God knows what that spirit needs – to be healthy and happy. That spirit needs the Word of God. The Old Testament prophet, Amos, pictured the day when the “beautiful virgins” and “young men” will faint from thirst. They will stagger from sea to sea, from north to south seeking the Word of the Lord, but they will not find it. Why? Because there was a famine in the land, not a famine for food or drink, but “for hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11-14).
God’s word teaches the child (and parent) what the child needs. Every child needs security, both from the parents and from God. Every child needs encouragement, from earthly parents and the heavenly father. Every child needs love. Every child needs support. Every child needs to be challenged to grow. Every child needs patience. Every child needs forgiveness.
If a child learns all that, he/she will know the meaning of life – it is to glorify God. Every child will know the value of life – it caused God the death of His own Son. Every child will know how to have deep, meaningful relationships – they come through Jesus Christ. Spirituality that does not submit to the Creator of the spirit is not spirituality – it is self-uality. It is self-worship.
Where did I learn all this? From psychology? From the Bible. That’s what children need. And the Bible teaches that they also need to attend worship, to pray, to meditate, and to know and understand the will of God. But not just the children. Grown-ups need it too.
If we all, regardless of age, would take these things seriously, we would all be happier.
–Paul Holland
