According to a Pew Forum report, entitled "Faith in Flux," most people who decide to leave their childhood religion say they did so before the age of 24. This indicates that development in understanding of religion and religious practices is a key factor in determining whether or not young adults will stick to their religion, switch religions or simply distance themselves from religion in general, like approximately 16 percent of Americans today. This makes it clear that the role of a religious education teacher is crucial in a young adult's life.
In the Holy Quran, which addresses itself to humankind, not just Muslims, the importance of learning is emphasized in the angel Gabriel's first words to Prophet Muhammad, iqra, meaning "read/recite." His first command to the Prophet was to educate himself about his Creator, and one of his first descriptions of God was "the Most Generous, who taught by the Pen, taught Man that he knew not" (96: 3-5). Learning is integral in a person's life in order to fulfill his or her purpose in life, which is to worship God. Indeed, learning and using one's knowledge to better the condition of humanity is a form of worship. The Quran is definitely not the first text to emphasize this, and this belief is not one that is held only by Muslims.
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