The Importance of Moral Foundations in Education: A Comparison of Christian and Secular Schools

Education, in its broadest sense, should deal with enhancing the mind, the body, and the soul. As these requisites align with the concepts of Christianity, it is no surprise to understand that Christian worship and education have always been intertwined.

The deep fundamental connection between religion and education has  a long history. The rise of secularism in education during the last sixty or so years has fractured this link. Unfortunately, the decoupling of God from education has caused the destruction of the pillars of community and posited a threat to the basic building blocks of society, such as the family.

Christian education is though still with us, where it exists, stronger than ever with the emergence of new non-denominal schools that can bridge the gap between traditional Christianity and secularism.

Education Sprung From Christian Worship

For thousands of years, education through schools has been conducted as a formal teaching discipline. From before the ancient Egyptians through the Greek and Roman eras, children’s education has been a pillar of society. All these cultures’ education systems contained some foundation on morals based on the various forms of religion practiced. 

With the corresponding Roman fall and Christian rise, religion became far more central to the role of education.. The belief was that because humanity had been given “reason,” that it was necessary to turn the message contained in the Christian faith into a form of understanding that could explain, cultivate and spread the word.

Through Christian History

Up until the reformation, it was considered necessary by the established church to elevate Christian thought to the equivalent of scientific knowledge. Everything stemmed from Christian theology, with rhetoric, music, math, and astronomy considered “servants of theology.”

The reformation brought the actual word of God closer to everyone, with the Bible being translated into the vernacular in reforming sects. Education became splintered into the realm of the various denominations, but all used the word of God and the moral principles this imbued as the basis of their education platforms.

The Rise of Secularism

The reformation was the beginning of concerted challenges to the Christian basis of life, with humanism gradually developing and deviating from a firm belief in God. Instead, modern science was used in an attempt to come up with new arguments about existence.

This also corresponded to the rise of secular education as from the nineteenth centuries, governments took over the the auspices of universal education and the role of religion declined with it being largely eliminated in many secular establishments today.

Secular Schools Lack Moral Foundations

The consequences of this are now only becoming fully understood. Without the moral building blocks that Christian schools provided, the decline of the traditional way of life has been shocking, attacking and decimating the very basis of society, the nuclear family.

Many, particularly humanists, will refute the argument that secular education is responsible or lacks in moral value. They argue that morals exist beyond religion and are based on society and these morals are movable. However, their arguments are weak, and often misunderstand the nature of morality.

School and Christian Ethics

Morality stands on a different plain in Christianity. Unlike secularism, morality is set by a higher authority than mankind. Christians answer to God and not other men. Their beliefs cannot be altered by the weight of current narratives or opinions.

The idea that morals can be changed and adapted disqualifies them from being considered moral values in the first place. It is the consistency of the moral values and the ethos of the Christian church that create stability and assurance which ultimately through Christian education produces individuals with an unshakable moral compass.

The Decline in Societies’ Moral Values

Morals should not be bent and changed to fit to accommodate society’s latest whims, rather a person’s actions and beliefs should be shaped to fit the existing moral compass.

The rise of Christian free secular education, amidst its constant changing of morals, has resulted in a society that has become increasingly polarized, prone to conflict and the breakdown of family life. It is no surprise to find crime, intolerance, and hate are constantly rising. 

When you have no supreme arbiter of actions, this moral descent is inevitable, and it has its ultimate basis in the failings of secular education. 

How Do Christian Schools Differ From Secular

Christian schools are still with us. Indeed they are springing up with rapidity as people realize that the value these establishments offer goes beyond just education. 

A Christian school differs from a secular school in that although they are subject to the auspices of the State and county education boards, they are established and run by denomination or non-denominal churches. 

Christian schools still follow the standard K-12 curriculum that is universal to all schools. In addition, based on the teachings and message of Christian worship, they provide a firm moral compass for the students through which they can approach life.

Christian Schools Provide a Better Education

The overall culture that this intrinsically provides to a student’s character helps these schools massively outperform their secular equivalents. Whether on an academic or sporting scale, results produced by Christian Schools are simply better.

The over-subscription of many of these schools clearly relates to the success achieved. The Christian ethos that provides the improved structure through which students are taught is widely recognized by parents, who understand the value of academic excellence and character building that results.

Christian Schools Beyond Religion

Academic excellence and character building aside, there are a considerable number of subsidiary benefits to being educated in a Christian school. 

The nature of the teaching helps with advanced childhood development with the transparency provided by the moral framework, removing indecision from social interactions.

Christian schools are also noted for safety and positivity which stems from the majority having a wide range of extracurricular activities for the students to participate in, providing a wider and more rounded education for the children. 

Forms of Christian Education

Unlike fifty or sixty years ago, your choice with regard to Christian schools is far wider. While you still have the traditional denomination schools, dominated by various Catholic orders or by Anglican or Presbyterian sects, you also have new non-denominal church schools that offer a different perspective on Christian education. 

Being a member of the denomination or non denomination of the school you like best, isn’t necessarily a pre-requisite of entry. While in over-subscribed situations, it will clearly be advantageous, most Christian schools reserve places for those who practice or don’t practice their Christian beliefs elsewhere.

The result is that Christian schools can be and, indeed, generally are, open to everyone, if you can accept that your child will be subject to the teaching of Christian principles.

Conclusion

Christianity has been the foundation of education for two thousand years. It is so deeply interconnected that when you remove Christianity and secularize education, you lose everything that underpins it.

Christian education is not just about bringing you or the student closer to God. Although it is religion is the baseline and key facet, it the subsidiary benefits that It establishes a moral framework through which character building can be developed and directs you with a moral compass in how you should live your life. 

Both denominal and non-denominal options are usually available in most cities, allowing you to make considered choices for the betterment and fit with both your and your child’s needs.