Do you believe it? How about statistics to back it up? Dr. Rodney Stark may not claim to be a Christian (I don’t know his religious convictions) but it is refreshing to see/hear an academic who is at least sympathetic to Christians and their convictions. He taught comparative religions at the University of Washington but has moved to Baylor. In  2012, he published a book entitled America’s Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists. Of course, when you talk about the influence of religion in America, it is almost exclusively Christianity. Judaism and Islam are not really significant enough to have had a long-term impact on American life, although they have contributed.

Now, to the idea of parenthood and, specifically, Christian parenthood. College students who are religious, feel closer to their parents. In a twenty-four year study, based on studies of moms and children, scholars at Penn State and the University of Michigan had been able to document the effects of religion on childhood.

If Mom goes to worship more frequently, she is more likely to have a close relationship with her child. Yet, more important than frequency of worship, the importance Mom places on religion has a profound impact on their relationship. If Mom and Child attends worship together, there is an even greater effect on the relationship! If the child does not attend, the relationship is weaker even if Mom attends.

If you through Dad into the mix, it is even better. If Dad attends more frequently, he is more likely to hug and praise Kiddo. That’s not what you expect from the way Christian Dads are portrayed in the media and on TV. In fact, religious dads are more involved in their children’s lives than non-religious dads.

Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas has studied the same impact. Teenagers are more satisfied with their family, among those who attend worship. Teenagers are more satisfied with their family, when their parents put a greater emphasis on religion. Satisfaction with family is higher among “conservative Protestants.” If teenagers attend worship with their parents, they are even more satisfied with their family. The study holds true for both guys and girls.

In Regnerus’s study, teenagers were more satisfied with their family when they were restricted relative to curfews on weekends, how much TV to watch, what they wear & eat, and other such items. Religious parents are more strict on their teens in these areas and such teens reveal more satisfaction with their parents.

Religious parents are more likely to spank their children but they are less likely to yell and shout at their children.  All in all, religious (read: Christian) parents have closer relationships with their children.

In the last chapter, Dr. Stark puts a dollar amount on his studies. Religious parents are more likely to homeschool and with 1.3 million children being homeschooled in the U. S., they save the taxpayer $630 million each year! (Although it would be nice to receive vouchers – or keep my own tax money – to help defray the cost of homeschooling!)

Families are the way God designed society. As we move away from a family-based culture, we will suffer the consequences.

“Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart” (Proverbs 29:17).

– Paul Holland