The Positive Influence of Religiosity on Biopsychosocial Development: Guidelines for an Integral Education

Résumé

This study is based on the existence of the right to an integral education in childhood, which includes the spiritual and religious dimensions. Multiple studies show that, for religious people, religiosity is a fundamental dimension in their personal development. Religious development depends to a large extent on different factors, such as school education and family. However, not every religious context is positive for human development, which is why societies set limits on religious freedom. A summary of the main studies concluding that, in general, religiosity has a positive influence on people’s development (e.g., it makes them happier, more tolerant, more resilient, less susceptible to illness, they have more positive relationships, etc.) is shown below. Finally, guidelines are provided for an integral education of religiosity during childhood and adolescence, valuing the differential role played by psychological development, the family context, the educational context and that of peers. This paper advocates the importance of comprehensive religious education for children who are believers; and of the relevance of teaching about different religious realities for all schoolchildren.