Recent remarks by Kipchumba Murkomen suggesting that introducing children to the Bible or taking them to church will produce better adults reflect a widely held assumption in many societies. However, this claim is not supported by evidence. Good character, empathy, honesty, responsibility, and respect for others are not exclusive products of religious upbringing.
History provides countless examples of deeply religious individuals who have engaged in corruption, violence, abuse, discrimination, and other harmful conduct. At the same time, millions of non-religious people lead ethical, compassionate, and law-abiding lives without relying on religious beliefs. This demonstrates that morality is not determined by church attendance or familiarity with scripture.
Children develop into responsible adults through a combination of factors, including loving and supportive families, quality education, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, positive role models, accountability, and stable social environments. Teaching children to think independently, evaluate evidence, respect the rights of others, and take responsibility for their actions prepares them far better for adulthood than simply exposing them to religious teachings.
Parents have every right to raise their children according to their values, whether religious or non-religious. Equally, children should be encouraged to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and develop their own understanding of the world without coercion or indoctrination.
A pluralistic society should recognize that there are many paths to becoming a good citizen. Religious instruction is one option among many, but it should never be presented as the only—or even the primary—route to producing ethical and responsible adults. What ultimately matters is how individuals treat others, contribute to society, and uphold principles such as honesty, fairness, compassion, and respect for human rights.
Rather than assuming that church attendance or Bible study guarantees good character, we should invest in evidence-based approaches to child development that foster critical thinking, empathy, civic responsibility, and respect for diversity. These are the qualities that strengthen families, communities, and democratic societies, regardless of an individual’s religious beliefs.