HUMAN beings are born and grow up in a society. No normal person is born a criminal. Normally, the character of the child is moulded by the early environment in which such a child finds itself as well as subsequent interactions with peers.
It is very interesting that even a wild animal, which is normally dangerous such as a lion or tiger, if it has grown among people and is cared for by them, such an animal becomes a harmless and gentle pet and behaves like any domesticated animal.
Therefore, the environment plays a vital role in determining the behaviour not only of a person but all living beings. The society in which the child has grown moulds the character of such a child. Therefore, by and large, if the child has grown up in a Christian family and a peaceful and law-abiding society he/she is likely to have a strong foundation and a peaceful and loving life.
As such a child grows into an adult person his/her behaviour is influenced by the people he/she normally associates with. Therefore, the Christian family and environment mostly is the nursery for God-abiding behaviour. A child who was born into a Christian family and started going to church very early in its life is likely not to give much problems both to his parents and the society.
The church and the Christian family help such a child to grow up into a person who is never disrespectful, and who is not arrogant or does not disobey the orders of his parents. Such a child becomes a disciplined person.
In many cases he/she will detest and resist running around and associating with undisciplined peers and do what such undisciplined peers are doing. The love of the parents and the teachings of the church may make such a child resist the temptation of running around with peers who can get them in trouble.
The most important thing is that the child must feel that his parents care for him/her. The child must at all times feel that he/she is genuinely loved and accepted by his/her parents. In addition to parental love, a child being a spiritual human, should be encouraged to have a passion for Christian values, which will create in such a child a sense of purpose and self-worth. The church will help the child not to be unruly and show a tendency of being attracted by the evil behaviour of peers but to discover himself/herself to believe in good things and display proper behaviour, and such behaviour will surely create conviction in such a child that his/her life depends on being disciplined and thus will strive to do only the right things in society.
Once the child is convinced in doing just the good things that the society expects from such a child he/she grows up into a person who has initiative, passion for good teamwork, discipline, confidence and a focused mind, compassion, peace and patience.
Once the child grows spiritually as a God-fearing person through the teaching of the church, the chances are that true leadership potential will develop and take root in that child.
If these attributes are not pretentious but real, the child when growing into an adult will not be tempted to commit crimes and get involved in anti-social behaviour. Therefore the chances of moulding a law-abiding and properly behaved person with an upright character, is greater under the above-mentioned circumstances. Good behaviour creates a positive attitude, and that positive attitude dictates the perception which one has in the society and this perception is translated into one's proper and appropriate manners towards other members of the society. At the end one becomes a likeable person.
The Christian values in which the overwhelming majority of the Namibian people believe will help them to resist the temptation to commit crime thus making the country a better and safe place to live in.
It is in, among others, instilling the requisite character traits in young people where the church becomes a vital instrument. It must be understood that I am not underestimating the role other religions might play, but I am talking about Christianity because the overwhelming majority of Namibians are Christians. This article tallies very well with the one I wrote not long time ago and published in the New Era newspaper in which I supported the introduction of Bible Studies in school.
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