Asking the Clergy: Should children take part in global causes?

The Rev. Eric J. Rey, Hampton Bays Assembly of God:

Children, and not just adults, should participate in global as well as local causes. Healthy moral development in children involves age-appropriate and adult-guided opportunities to demonstrate compassion toward others in need. Helping others starts in one's own community and spreads around the world.

Jesus said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you," and "Love your neighbor as yourself." His "Parable of the Good Samaritan" illustrates how everyone is a neighbor and deserves loving compassion and helping action. Compassionate action must not be bound by or limited to borders, nationality, race, language, color or religion.

Modern media's daily reminders of human suffering beckon the divine duty for everyone to alleviate it. When both children and adults aid victims of natural disaster, war, poverty, hunger and disease, they declare the precious value of all people whom God has created in His image.

Nick Cassidy, minister, Commack Church of Christ:

The best time to learn any concept is when they're young. Don't wait until they're older. Teach them when they're teachable. If you teach children to love and serve people, they will grow up loving and serving people.

I'm all for helping with global causes. When I was 19, I lived in England and also did mission work in Mexico City. While in Mexico City, I saw poverty like I'd never seen in my life. I believe that if you've been blessed abundantly, you need to give abundantly. Jesus Christ said (Luke 12:28) "To whom much is given, much is expected." We, in this country, have been blessed abundantly in comparison with many other nations around the world.

The Rev. Mike Lawver, youth minister, Evangel Church of God, Lindenhurst:

Yes, they need to understand that the earth was created by God, and we have a responsibility to the earth and a responsibility to take care of everything he has given us.

Young people need to be knowledgeable about the needs of others and that God wants us to help others in need and to cherish the things he has given us. The paradigm has shifted, and in America we're so self-centered in general that children want to give back to the community and make a difference in the world.

In our youth ministry, if we put something out there for children to be involved in, they're very good about being involved.

The value of being far-reaching in our efforts is opening their young eyes to another world. Americans are caught up in wealth and a lifestyle that benefits us. When you go to another country, the lifestyle is so different. It often is not focused on riches, but on basics.

Being involved in global causes enables us to influence this generation to understand life isn't just about us. You should have a desire to help others because of your relationship to God.

Rabbi Michael Eisenstein, Congregation Beth Israel, Hempstead:

There are millions of children in the world who don't have healthy meals; some have no meals. They don't have iPhones, BlackBerrys or shoes. Many do not have parents.

The Torah teaches us to care for the widow, the orphan and the stranger among us. The Talmud says, "As my ancestors planted for me, so do I plant for those who come after me."

The difficult and stressful economic situation our children are being raised in would be a welcome haven for the many who are so much worse off. It is imperative that our children learn to care for others.

Technology made our world smaller; "Not-In-My-Back-Yard" now encompasses the entire world. To live in a just world, there must be quality - to every life, not just some. If we don't get our children on that path, then we will have failed in our responsibility.