I have not been associated with any religion (organised) for quite some time now. I beleive in many religious ideals, in so long as they support compassion, justice, equity, and do not promote war or racism. However many of the worlds religions do not practice what they preach.
My personal crusade to take up the cause of the poor, opressed, discriminated against, misunderstood, forgotten and unwanted in society is has been and will be a battle waged by my own personal stpry. As an orphan, an adoptee, as a child that was "taken away" adopted out, and bought and paid for and essentially sold by a so called "Christian" organization, to two poeple who when they were done playing "dress up" and being a parent literally tossed me to the curb at the age of 12 because of my non conforming looks.
I take this stuff very seriousely. I found this little video clip. I feel like here in Hawaii, we are more of a third world country, with many of our people suffering very badly here. We have haves and have nots, and those who have prospered even within our own ranks. But they insist that it is to be christian and christian only that saves you. Its your own fault otherwise. A lack of compassion, or just showing face at certain times of the year.
Granted our little ohana has been the recipient of much "good will." How much was given out of guilt to assuage the conscience I will never know. How much was given in the spirit of true aloha? I can only hope that all of it was. At any case there was always two times a year our little ohana has been remembered by the community. Thanksgiving and Christmas. After that, we would wait another year for someone to want to do something for someone lesser then them, and we were the recipient of that "lesser gift".
Of course that does sound like I am being ungrateful, un aloha, rude, and just plain terrible doesn't it? I mean after all, how DARE! Right? Human dignity means far more then what people who give from their true hearts really comprehend. Giving back someones dignity to them, and making them feel like an equal, is a far greater gift then anything physical you could ever give in a lifetime of boxes of cookies or bags of used clothing, although they are appreciated and needed.
Human dignity and respect for all humans, everywhere, no matter what. That is my goal for this world. My personal crusade. It is not about giving and getting points in heaven. The god that christians beleive in seems to be a god of Las Vegas at times, keeping score, racking up points and throwing out chips onto the roulette wheel of life. "Hey you gave that poor family down the street a bag of your used clothing from your kids! You recycled, saved the planet, did a good deed! I mean after all, the clothes would just go to waste otherwise!".
OK, heres a thought. How about doing without some of your comforts and buying that family NEW CLOTHES! How about buying them NEW THINGS instead of all of your hand me downs? Now I can see your brain becoming a lava pit of anger. "Whats wrong with this woman has she lost her mind? Why I wore my siblings hand me downs if its good enough for us its good enough for them!"
Well, yes thats probably everyones gut reaction. I mean if you are giving something to the poor they should be grateful for anything that is given them. Well they are, but you are entirely missing the point.
HUMAN DIGNITY is NOT A COMMODITY.
Its NOT something you wear, and its not something that you can buy.
Its not candy, or a well cooked turkey, or christmas ham.
Its not a toy, or a hand me down jacket.
Human dignity goes much deeper then that. If you were to ask anyone who is truly SUFFERING what they would prefer: A tin of Christmas cookies, or a half an hour of your time where you speak to each other as equals, or you proudly take them and indroduce that person as your friend, and invite them into a conversation as an equal, I guarantee you, they would not take the cookies, trust me.
Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.
2 days ago
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