It’s fun to learn new things. Hell, it’s fun to learn new things about old things we thought we knew.
That’s one reason we listen to others. They may have something to say that helps us see something in a broader perspective. That nudge of fuller understanding may be the missing link we needed to handle the issue differently, better, more successfully.
That’s why we listen. That’s why we open our minds to hear what we don’t know. Sometimes, the unknown is close to our understanding, but we missed a crucial piece of information.
We grew up knowing we were all unique human beings. Intrinsically, that means we know we are all different in some ways; large and small, the differences matter to each of us on how we perceive the world around us.
On the other hand, we are all human beings. Either female or male (although we are coming to understand that even that has many bits and pieces that explode the binary concept of gender). Everything else is different: our DNA, place of birth, age, ethnicity, culture, religion and so many other points of difference too numerous to mention. The differences are what define each of us in the particular. That helps us understand ourselves and others, too.
The challenge is not making difference the point of it all. It is the sameness that offers the reason to protect all of us because of difference.
Differentness is a cause to celebrate, not ballyhoo as a separator or fault. Large, small, tall, short, it doesn’t matter what we are; it only matters who we are in the fullest sense. How do we magnify the value of each other’s lives? Why do I matter, and you?
It is easy to focus on the differences among us. It is more challenging to find the things we agree on and can work together on.
Several decades ago my church asked me to teach Sunday school to 7th and 8th graders. I prepared a lesson plan, took advice from the denomination’s lesson plan guidebook, and set out to deliver a relevant educational experience to the students. Because I was a seminary student at the time, everyone thought this would be easy. Not!
The kids looked at me with quiet respect and asked why there were so many different religions. They wanted to know how each was different from their own. They wanted to compare in order to understand. They were not trying to set themselves apart from others, rather to understand differences as enrichment.
So I began a term of comparative religions, beginning with Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodism, Baptists, and so forth. We were Congregationalists – United Church of Christ.
It was a hoot. Priests and nuns were quick to cooperate with our educational journey. The local synagogue was thrilled that these middle schoolers were interested in understanding religious heritage through diversity. We had many houses of worship open their doors to us, including visits on weekdays and Saturdays. We discussed with worship leaders their roles and the why of the rituals. Kids of similar ages gathered to share their understanding of their own religion so those in other churches and traditions could better understand them. And vice versa.
These young people asked for this eye-opening class work. And we had a great year of learning. It started with honest questions and honest seeking of answers. It began with open minds and a hunger for facts. These kids had it right. Why I stumbled along to keep up with them was my shame of weakness.
Difference is texture. Texture is breadth and depth. Enrichment is a combination of all these. What a rich and diverse universe we live in. As human beings we have cause to celebrate this richness.
Shalom! Peace.
September 4, 2019
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