Figure 1.--In this painting we have the new idealized image of childhood that began to devlop ib tthe Christian West during the Enlightenment. "Let the Children Come To Me" (Mark 10:14) was the work of German artist Carl Christian Vogel von Vogelstein (1788-1868). Several artists painted similar images. Many elements here give the idea of purity and innocence: the children's look, their hairstyle, their new clothing, their bare but very clean feet. It depicts the changing attitudes toward childhood in the Christian West.

Concerning children there are three subjects to address. First, how are children viewed and how they should be treated. Second, hos does a religion assess the value of life. Third, to what extent are children involved in religious prasctice. Surely Christianity places a great focus on the children, probably more than many other religions. Anyway throughout the centuries changed the ideas about childhood in the European culture. The romantic 19th century saw to the children as an image of "purity". This is a bit different to the traditional idea of "simplicity". The religious art is not only an expression of the Bible stories, but also of the contemporary ideas. So the scene of Jesus with the children, quite common in 19th century, becomes also the expression of the contemporary idea of childhood. Islamic views seem harsher, although in fairness this seems less the result of Koranic teachings than medieval culture. The Koran like the Bible make it clear that children or both alessing and responsibility. The problem with Islam is that it legitimizes violence against women and Old Testament approsches to crimlity. And men who bear womea are likely to beat children. And children sometimes break the law. Thus as part of Sharia, we see terrible punishments being inflicted on children--even very young children. Children have over the ages played an important part in religious observation. Second The value of life is another issue. Many primitive religions involved human sacrifices. The Aztecs religion involved warfare to obtain victims for human sacrifice. The victims appear to have been primarily adult males. Other religions sacrificed children. Now mumified Inca children have been found sacrificed at high elevations in the Andes. The early Greeks are known to have sacrificed children. And the Romans ahored the Cartheginian practice of child sacrifice. The Biblical story of Abraham and Issasc shows that the Jews departed from this religious rite at an early point in their development. It also suggests that the practice was widespread in the Middle East at the time. An issue on which Islam and Cgristianity agree is the value of life. Christianity is very clear on the issue, abotion is unacceptanle. Some denominations yielding to political correctness waffle on the issue. Most of the impetus for abortion, even the sale of baby body parts comes from increaingly secular society. Islamic teachings and society comtinue to reject the practice. Third is the involvement of children in religious services. Children have also been commonly used as acolytes in many religions to assist priests in their devotionals and rituals. The modern altar boy and choir is a continuation of this tradition. Christinity appears to involve children in religious prctice to a greter extent than other religions.

View of Childhood

Surely Christianity places a great focus on the children, probably more than many other religions. Anyway throughout the centuries changed the ideas about childhood in the European culture. The romantic 19th century saw to the children as an image of 'purity'. This is a bit different to the traditional idea of 'simplicity'. The religious art is not only an expression of the Bible stories, but also of the contemporary ideas. So the scene of Jesus with the children, quite common in 19th century, becomes also the expression of the contemporary idea of childhood. Interestingly this is a view that came out of the secular Engligtenment, but was widely inorporated into Christian thought (19th century). Islamic views seem harsher, although in fairness this seems less the result of Koranic teachings than medieval culture. The Koran like the Bible make it clear that children or both alessing and responsibility. The problem with Islam is that it legitimizes violence against women and Old Testament approsches to crimlity. And men who bear womea are likely to beat children. And children sometimes break the law. Thus as part of Sharia, we see terrible punishments being inflicted on children--even very young children. Children have over the ages played an important part in religious observation.

Value of Life

The value of life is another issue. Many primitive religions involved human sacrifices. The Aztecs religion involved warfare to obtain victims for human sacrifice. The victims appear to have been primarily adult males. Other religions sacrificed children. Now mumified Inca children have been found sacrificed at high elevations in the Andes. The early Greeks are known to have sacrificed children. And the Romans ahored the Cartheginian practice of child sacrifice. The Biblical story of Abraham and Issasc shows that the Jews departed from this religious rite at an early point in their development. It also suggests that the practice was widespread in the Middle East at the time. An issue on which Islam and Cgristianity agree is the value of life. Christianity is very clear on the issue, abotion is unacceptanle. Some denominations yielding to political correctness waffle on the issue. Most of the impetus for abortion, even the sale of baby body parts comes from increaingly secular society. Islamic teachings and society comtinue to reject the practice.

Children in Religious Services

Anoter difference among religions is the involvement of children in religious services. Children have also been commonly used as acolytes in many religions to assist priests in their devotionals and rituals. The modern altar boy and choir is a continuation of this tradition. Christinity appears to involve children in religious prctice to a greter extent than other religions.

Created: 5:59 AM 10/7/2015
Last updated: 5:59 AM 10/7/2015