Faithfully yours - It takes a little sanctified blindness

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Published on Saturday, July 9, 2016

By Neil Strohschein

Neepawa Banner

In the mid 19th century, philosophers like John Stuart Mill introduced the world to the concept of a just society. A just society, they argued, was a society of which three things are true.

First, people are free to live their lives as they please as long as they don’t infringe on the rights of others. Second, wealth and resources are shared by all, with those most deserving receiving their share first. Third, decision makers attend to the common good, while all other citizens work collectively to build communities and programs that contribute to the good of others.

In the years since, social scientists, political activists and even preachers have “picked up the torch,” so to speak and called on those in government to help make Mill’s dream become reality.

In Canada, Pierre Elliot Trudeau answered the call. In a political career that spanned almost 20 years (first as an MP, then Justice Minister and finally Prime Minister), Trudeau introduced a number of radical reforms that culminated in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which was passed by Parliament and signed into law by Queen Elizabeth in 1982.

The charter lists the basic rights and freedoms to which all Canadians are entitled. And it clearly states that governments can only act to deprive a person of his or her rights when doing so is necessary for the common good—that is to preserve the safety and security of all Canadians.

Whether or not we agree with some of the clauses in the charter (and many do not), we must admit that it does something no other piece of legislation can do. It declares, in no uncertain terms, that Canada is a country built on the principles of acceptance and inclusion. We welcome all Canadians to use their skills, abilities and talents to help build a strong nation and we reward them for their efforts by enabling them to share in the benefits that are given to all Canadians.

In doing so, we choose to look past the things that can (and often do) divide us. We do not allow things like age, gender, country of origin, religious beliefs, economic status or lifestyle choices to keep us from treating everyone we meet with respect and serving each person with dignity and a commitment to excellence. We refuse to treat people differently because of characteristics over which they have no control or choices they have made with which we do not agree.

As people of faith, we are called to recognize every person as a unique creation of God. We are encouraged to welcome others into our lives just as God has welcomed us into his. He accepted us just as we are—no strings attached and He asks us to extend the same courtesy to others.

We are called to serve everyone with the same degree of dignity and respect, just as Jesus did during his time on earth. If we see someone in need, we do what we can to help them meet that need. If we encounter someone who is hurting, we do what we can to help them heal. We meet people where they are, we help them where we can and in the process, we do more to build healthy caring communities than any set of laws or government programs can ever do.

All it takes is a little sanctified blindness—closing our eyes to the things that divide us, accepting people as people and treating them accordingly.

Next week—how God taught me to be an accepting person.