Once strongly religious, Europe is now
largely secular. Nevertheless, recent news items from Europe relate to the
Bible in ways that might surprise you.
Benefits
of a Mother’s Voice
Researchers in Milan, Italy, concluded
that infants born prematurely gained several health benefits by being exposed
to their mother’s voice through a device on the wrist of the infant while in
the hospital. This technique attempts to mimic how the baby sensed her voice
while still in the womb. “Early exposure to maternal voice,” concluded the
study, “exerts a beneficial effect on preterm infants.”
Nurturing Narcissism?
According to a study of 565 children in
the Netherlands, children whose parents described them as “more special than
other children” and as children who deserve “special treatment” scored higher
than their peers on tests for narcissism and expressed feelings of superiority
and entitlement. Children believe it when their parents tell them that they are
more special than others. That may not be good for them or for society.
Optimistic Centenarians
Despite illness and physical
limitations, 100-year-olds have a strong desire to live, report researchers at
Heidelberg University in Germany. Out of every four centenarians interviewed,
three clung to life and tried to make the most of it. They achieved personal
goals, were optimistic and hopeful, felt life had meaning, and maintained their
religious and ethical values.
