Before you get your knickers in a wad, we're not getting into a philosophical religious discussion about the some 38,000 worldwide religions. I'm only asking who introduced you to religion, church, or the sacred texts?
For us three boys, it was our mother. Our mom read us Bible stories every night, and as soon as we could hold the book, we read them back to her. To us, the Bible was an adventure book—David and Goliath, Noah's Ark, Moses and the Ten Commandments, Samson and Delilah, Daniel in the lion's den. And don't forget Adam and Eve! Why shoot, we'd all probably STILL be in Eden right now living the big life if it weren't for that darn snake.
Religion has been blamed for many evils (Friday the 13th anyone?) This is the date when the Pope and the King of France coordinated a mass attack on the Knights Templar. And just how many incredible miracles (physical and spiritual) have been recorded over the centuries that list all the good things religion has accomplished.
Who Set Your Moral Compass?
But, the question I'm asking is how did you become aware of religion? None of us just woke up one morning and realized we knew all about it and now needed to decide if we wanted to be dunked or sprinkled. Again, this is another moment that made you, who you are.
If there was no religion, then who was the person that set your moral compass? If it wasn't family, maybe it was a coach, scout leader, or teacher. Funny, despite being raised the same way, my brothers and I turned out completely different.
Did faith bring you comfort, or did organized worship leave a sour taste? One thing we loved was the music! That old-time gospel led all three of us to learn instruments and to sing.
I've studied religion around the world— Aztec and Mayan temples, cathedrals in Rome, mosques in Istanbul, Notre Dame in Paris. The sheer technology and dedication used to build these places of worship are impressive, if nothing else.
So, who or what set your moral foundation? Some folks make money their religion. But as I read somewhere, "The love of money is the root of all evil." Whatever guides you, don't let emotion lead you astray, especially when making important life decisions.
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's question about who shaped our values really hits home when I talk with retirees. The principles you learned early—whether from family, faith, or mentors—often guide your biggest financial decisions later in life. I see this all the time: people who grew up with "waste not, want not" values might be overly conservative with their retirement savings, while others raised to "live for today" might need help with long-term planning strategies like maximizing Social Security benefits or managing Required Minimum Distributions from their 401k accounts.
A lot of folks ask me, "How do I know if my money values are helping or hurting my retirement?" Here's what I've learned: the same moral compass that guided you through life can absolutely guide your retirement planning, but it helps to pair those values with current facts. For example, in 2026, Social Security full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on when you were born, and your Medicare enrollment decisions during your Initial Enrollment Period can affect your costs for years to come. Your values tell you what matters most, and good planning helps you achieve those goals.
Whether your foundation came from Sunday school, a wise grandparent, or life experience, those core beliefs about responsibility and caring for others can actually make retirement planning easier once you see how it all connects.