Does Religion Make Children Selfish?

James 1:26
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”

The evolutionists over at the ScienceDaily website must have been overjoyed to write this: “Many families believe religion plays an essential role in childhood moral development. But children of religious parents may not be as altruistic as those parents think, according to a new international study from the University of Chicago.”

Creation Moments isn’t surprised that university scientists are trying to show that religion actually harms children. After all, some evolutionists have also called the teaching of biblical creation “child abuse” and believe creationists should be put in prison.

Back to the study, a team of developmental psychologists studied 1,170 children ages five to twelve in six countries. They wanted to see how a child’s religious upbringing affects their willingness to share and their inclination to judge and punish others for misbehaving.

“Our findings, said the research team leader, “contradict the common-sense and popular assumption that children from religious households are more altruistic and kind toward others. In our study, kids from atheist and non-religious families were, in fact, more generous.”

Why is the study so misleading? For one thing, the children in the “religious” category consisted of Christians and Muslims. For another, were these Christians true Bible-believing Christians or simply cultural Christians? Furthermore, we must remember that Jesus condemned the religions of His day. Religion doesn’t put anyone into a right relationship with God. Only a personal relationship with God through trusting in Christ can do that. Have you put your trust in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know that You hate manmade religion because it leads only to self-righteousness. Thank You for declaring me to be righteous in Your sight after I put my trust in Jesus. Amen.

Notes:
“Religious upbringing linked to less altruism,” ScienceDaily, 11/5/15.