(Original Post - September 2015)
What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
We all need it sometimes; a little help from our friends. It’s an amazing thing, in that the giving is usually just as gratifying, if not more, than the receiving. There’s no better feeling than providing help to someone, whether they ask for it or not, and seeing the appreciation in the face of another.
There’s a young student in my school - a student who has a neurological disorder - that I spend time with regularly. I went in to spend a bit of time with him last week, and on that particular day, Timmy (we’ll call him Timmy) was the helper. His teacher informed me upon entering the classroom that Timmy was doing a tremendous job in this treasured role. There’s something magical when you’re a youngster and the teacher announces that ‘Today’s helper is … you!’ It’s just incredible! Like... ‘Price is Right’ incredible. Come on down! You’re the next student selected to do miscellaneous jobs for Mrs. Sweetapple! I love seeing their faces when they find out. Sure, being singled out and having a special job factors in to the excitement. The fact that they worship that lady at the front of the class also helps, but the joy they experience really comes from the tasks they perform; little errands that help their teacher and their peers alike. Small things that really make a big difference, on so many levels. Within five minutes of being in the classroom last week, Timmy twice told me, “I’m the helper.” That was cool. What was even cooler was the fact that three other kids, at different times, came up to me to tell me, “Timmy’s an awesome helper!”
And he is. Timmy loves to help. Because helping feels good.
Which is why the story currently circulating through the various local media outlets confuses me so much.
The headline sums up the issue pretty aptly. Perhaps. Since the story first came to light, the professor in question, who refused a student in a similar instance many years ago, has said that she had suggested alternatives to Mr. Sears, the hearing disabled student. He has stated that they were unacceptable.
To be certain, I am not an authority on the Hindu belief system. Hell, for that matter, I’m not an authority on any of them. In a blog post that I wrote four or five years ago titled A Little Faith, I noted that “I am by no means a religious person. I consider myself somewhat spiritual, moral, ethical and open minded.” My issue with organized religion is that it is used too often for fell purposes. Think of the things we do in the name of religion; the killing, segregating, shunning, and discriminating that can be seen every day.
So I’ve been asking myself, Have I misunderstood something? Isn’t religion supposed to guide us to become the best people we can be? I really don’t know. So I decided to ask Webster, my 13 pound, 2250 page buddy that rests atop my bookshelf. What, my friend, would you consider the definition of religion to be?
Middle English, religioun, from Anglo-French religium, Latin religion-, religio - supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare, to restrain or tie back.
Belief in a divine or superhuman power, or powers, to be obeyed or worshipped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe.
Any specific system of belief, worship, conduct, often following a code of ethics and a philosophy.
A state of mind or way of life expressing love for and trust in God, and one’s will and effort to act according to the will of God.
Perhaps I’m wrong, but the way I’ve always seen it is that religion was supposed to be (to use a simple term) a guide that helps us to live a good life; a life of love, compassion and integrity that sees us treat our fellow humans with kindness and respect.
Here’s the thing. Rather than being guided by the doctrine of a belief system, it seems too many people see worship and the will of God as unbearably rigid, something that must be followed at all costs, lest your eternal soul waste away in the depths of purgatory for an eternity.
I don’t understand how a person can say that they cannot help another person because of their religious beliefs. Let’s say it out loud, just for effect. I’m sorry, I can’t help you. My religion won’t allow it. I apologize if it sounds impertinent, but really, would the all-powerful creator of the universe smite a university professor as she exited the Arts and Administration building for wearing an FM transmitter system? I don’t know. I don’t even know if Hindu deities smite. But if the God of the Christian belief system laid down a holy decree demanding that Thou Shalt Not Allow Thy Student to Hear Thy Words, I can honestly say I’d have to gather up my books and tell Him, “Sorry Boss, I think I need a new Teacher…”
Again, I realize I’m not an expert in these complex belief systems, but for me, that’s the thing. It shouldn’t be that difficult, that complex. Help a person out. It’s that simple. And seriously, if your ‘system’, be it belief system or FM transmitter system, is not getting the true message across, perhaps it’s time to see if it needs a little fine tuning.
“I can’t help you because of my religion.” Sweet St Jude and all the angels in holy heaven. If these words were ever uttered to me, I’d be immediately inclined to introduce the speaker to a little kid named Timmy. There is nothing that will stop Timmy, or for that matter most kids, from helping others. Why? Because helping is good. It feels good, and it’s right. And most of us don’t do it nearly enough.
As I’ve said, I don’t pretend to have the answers, and it’s not my intention for these writings to come off as offensive or trite. In truth, I just don’t understand. I don’t understand how a person sees refusing a little microphone, essentially refusing to help this person learn, as the right thing to do. Perhaps the answer is more simple than I think. Perhaps I’m not armed with the right information, or need a different perspective. I don’t know.
Perhaps I need a little help…
"The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them." -Swami Vivekananda
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