Many Friends are engaged in working to improve public education. We have a concern that schools provide an opportunity for young people to learn to care for each other and to practice the principles of cooperation. We want to talk about teaching methods and content with legislators, school boards, administrators, and teachers.
|
The aim of learning, whether it be in a school
or at home, is to make whatever testimonies we
live by more of a need than a choice. . . . So that it
becomes unthinkable not to serve others. So that
it becomes unthinkable not to consider all
humans part of the same family. So that a
Schweitzerian "reverence for life" becomes a need rather than
a self-conscious choice. Then, perhaps, some of
our testimonies may have more meaning.
--Richard L Eldridge, 1984 |
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Spiritual growth is on-going in all parts of our lives. Religious education is a useful part of this growth. It should be carefully planned to meet the needs of varying ages, but everyone in the meeting can help us understand that religion and everyday life are one and the same.
|
Do we give our young people, starting well before senior high age, a good grounding in
Quaker ideas and activities including worship and the
process of business, so that they know what this
religion is, and how we are putting our principles
into action in our lives and our world?
Do we make it clear what the joys and responsibilities of membership are so that they know what is and isn't expected? Do we make it clear that we are seeking too? Do we involve them regularly in activities that |