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WHAT IS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Upul Illandara
To grow in
faith in order to achieve fullness in Christian life and living is the
traditional interpretation of Christian Education. In
i) through the Sunday School; and
ii) the private schools managed by the churches.
Even in
government schools where there is a fair number of Christian children,
Christianity is taught if teachers are available. Through the family units and
other organisations, Christian knowledge is also imparted in non-formal ways.
This especially is seen among the Roman Catholics. But these types of non-formal,
informal methods are hardly accepted in our country. We find Christian
education confined to the traditional framework. This education does not give
enough freedom to look critically at the present society and international
affairs.
The
Bible-based education which is imparted by the churches gives only knowledge,
though it is expected to be taught by example. We find our education and
Christian worship more based on western patterns. But only a very few or just a
handful can understand English and the western ways and culture. It is not
wrong to say that Christian education is therefore limited to a very small
group in our country - those who are conversant with English and who are also
the elite in our society.
Majority of our
people are born and bred in villages and they are only conversant with either Singhala or Tamil, the two major languages of our country.
Therefore the church has closed its doors to the majority who do not know
English.
Majority of
the youth and younger children cannot actively participate because of the
language barriers. Therefore they either turn away from the church or become
nominal Christians. Churches are very slow in indigenisation.
Let us look
at the state of our youth. Most of them are dependents. Unemployment is
widespread. Educational opportunities do not match the employment
opportunities. "Mismatch" between educational and employment
opportunities has caused unemployment even among the
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educated youth. They are frustrated because, even through political
means they cannot voice their opinion. Though it is supposed to be a democratic
country the voice of the youth has been silenced. Many of the violent outbreaks
were due to frustration among youth which even the church has neglected. Even the
churches are dominated by the priests and elders.
The church
doors should be opened for the youth to participate actively in Christian work
in order to grow in faith. But Christian education in our country does not
impart Christian values as they should be. There is very little time and
opportunity in our education to get involved and participate in our society and
church and grow in Christian values. It is more towards exam-orientation.
It is high
time that our Christian educationists realize that mere knowledge will not make
one a full grown Christian, a Christian who has grown in faith and is an
example to others in society.
Although the
traditional church does not help the youth to participate actively in the
society, there are a few groups which are trying their best to put their faith
in action. The S.C.M., Y.M.C.A.,
Y.W.C.A., CWF (Christian
Worker Movement), CSM (Catholic Student Movement),
and the C.W.M. (Catholic Workers Movement) are some
of the organisations which are trying to raise their voices especially on
behalf of the voiceless. But the "main-body" - "the Church"
has not recognised these organisations as essential groups yet. though some of
them are affiliated to the church. The church in fact takes no interest in their
own youth-fellowships. Instead the church has a suspicious attitude towards
these youth groups. Their participation in the society is regarded as
"liberal actions" because they try to educate (conscientise)
the common people.
If the
church can only recognise the strength of youth and make use of it, we can hope
that the future will be better for the coming generation.
