ALEX AND RAVI Topic 6: Religion and Young People

Words to learn: Birth ceremony - welcoming a newborn child into the faith and the world. Initiation ceremony – a right of passage which marks acceptance into the religion and in some cases adulthood. Commitment ceremony – when a young person makes a commitment to a religion based upon their own initiative. Upbringing - the treatment and instruction received by a child from its parents throughout its childhood. Spirituality - Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. Assembly - A school assembly is a gathering of all or part of a school in order to communicate information and share learning experiences. Moral code – one’s definition of what is right and wrong. Commitment - the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. Belonging – the state of acceptance as a member of a society or group. Brotherhood - an association or community of people linked by a common interest, religion, or trade. Generation gap - a difference of attitudes between people of different generations, leading to a lack of understanding. Peer pressure - influence that a peer group, observers or individual exerts that encourages others to change their attitudes, values, or behaviours to conform the group norms. Faith School - a school that teaches a general curriculum but having formal links with a religious organisation.

Birth Ceremony and Naming Ceremony Jatakarma- Birth ceremony  Happens as soon as possible after the baby is born.  The father puts ghee (butter) and honey on tongue of the baby  Represents the good nature of the child in the future.  The father whispers the name of Brahma in the ear of the child to initiate it into the faith. Namakarana  Name giving ceremony which usually happens on the 10 th -12 th day after birth.  Baby is dressed in new clothes and is taken to a Brahmin (holy man).  Child’s horoscope is read by an astrologer and the name is announced  Songs are sung to show happiness.  Havan (sacrificial fire) is lit to offer grain and ghee to the deities  Mantras are chanted.

Commitment ceremonies Sacred thread ceremony  Boys: age (young teenager).  Puja (worship) is conducted and the boy’s priest teacher presents him with a cotton twine made of 3 threads, which represent three promises  To look after ones parents  To promote knowledge  To provide for society.  Represents progression into student ashrama (life stage)  New dharma's (life duties) Gain knowledge through study Respect elders, teachers and parents. Know the rules and rituals of the Hindu tradition. Live a life of simplicity, celibacy and self-discipline (IMPORTANT)

How does our upbringing influence our behaviour, beliefs and attitudes? Upbringing influences the way we think since it limits (or broadens) the knowledge that we are exposed to. This can in turn influence our beliefs in the way we learnt in the prejudice topic.

Faith Groups Faith groups, like the boys’ brigade hold activities for young people to... - attract them to a religion. - help them learn about a certain religion. - get them to feel a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood.

Yes No We live in a secular society where they may feel left out. By being the ‘odd one out’, you could be discriminated against and feel isolated. Many distractions A religion gives young people a sense of brother hood and sisterhood. Faith groups hold activities for children of specific faiths giving them a sense of belonging. If they truly believed in their faith, nothing should affect their view Is it difficult for young people to be religious?

For Against They educate children in the faith They remember the culture and identity of a particular religious group A parent should have the freedom to choose what school their child goes to They promote division Pupils may become pressurised to believe a particular view Teaching may be biased causing students to become ignorant Reasons for and against faith schools

Why do people join a religion? To stay out of trouble Gives a purpose to life Gives a sense of community To feel comfort and assurance

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