Is the Church Necessary for Religious Education?

Abstract

A vital subject of discussion today is the objective of education. We have not reached unanimity in our definitions, but there is a growing agreement in the general type of answer that is given to the question, are we trying to do for and with our children? Nobody is content to answer the question in purely intellectual or utilitarian terms. From the kindergarten to the college the answer is in terms of spiritual values and moral efficiency. We are speaking of social relationships, of one's ability to live largely and contributively in the life of the world. All the culture, knowledge, skill, vocational ability, must be socialized. That is to say, our aim is a certain quality of life. What do we want to do for and with our boys and girls in school and college? For answer we think of the best kind of men and women whom we know, people of character and achievement, and we say that we would like to help the young folk to become like them. And what are we trying to do for them in religious education? For answer again, we think of the religious men and women who bring forth the fruits of the spirit, who are followers of Christ, with something of his attitude toward life, and we say that we are trying to help the young folk to come into some such experience and some such quality of living. If, then, education in its more general aspects and religious education in particular are finding their objectives in a quality of human living, what has the church to do with it?