Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Moral and Spiritual Education

"The Bahá’í writings attach great importance to the periods of childhood and youth, providing clear guidance to parents and communities to raise children in a nurturing and unambiguous environment."

"Moral and Spiritual Education for the Next Generation," The Baha'is, the International Website of the Baha'i Faith

1 comment:

Bonita said...

I've been aware of the privilege that is bestowed on women who train and educate their children. It is a significant contribution. When I was raising my children, I frequently read this:

Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it. Therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 125)