Prejudice

I received my primary and early secondary education in a Christian school in KL. The principal was a devouted Christian and practised all the virtues of one. She was the "angel" whom many girls modelled their life and faith. I too was a Christian until I came to Singapore and drifted from the religion. As irrational as it sounds, I became rather prejudiced against Christianity largely due to my disgust with the hipocratic behaviour of many Christians in school (which was later reinforced by those at work). As I grew older and the intellectual mind became more dominant, Christianity could no longer stand up to my logical interrogations. Faith was needed but it did not surface. I look for a belief that is more inclusive and not exclusive.

Yesterday I had a session with a 10 year old child who is his teacher's bane. His conduct distracts the class and the teacher breathes down his neck. She calls his mother who beats him up whenever she is stressed by the teacher's call. That makes him hates the teacher more and he becomes more rebellious which then of course makes him act out further, in short a vicious circle in full swing. Teacher declares she has tried both soft and harsh methods to no avail. No amount of trying on my part, directly and indirectly, to reframe his negative opinion of his teacher helps. After breaking down in bitter tears, the boy declares flatly in my face he will never change unless he is transferred to another class. We sat quiet for quite a while. Fortunately we are taught in counseslling class that it is alright to be silent. It gives time for both counselor and client to reflect. On this occasion I was actually at a lost what to do. After a while, he started to mumble, "I hate everyone, I love no one, I only love Jesus".

We talked a bit about how he knows Jesus although he doesn't attend Church. In that instance a hymn which I sung in my primary school started to play in my mind and I started singing:
" In my needs Jesus found me
Put his strong arms around me
Brought me safe home, into the shelter of the fold"

"Hey you also know Jesus?" the boy exclaimed.

So I spent the rest of the session teaching him to sing the song and explaining the meaning of the lyrics like "In my needs" and "shelter". I wrote the lyrics on a piece of paper for him and told him to look at it when he is distressed in class.

He requested that I bring books about Jesus for the next session. "Bring many books about Jesus," he said.

Sure, I will do that; in fact I will be using Jesus at least till I figure a better therapy!

Also as irrational as it sounds, I became a tinge less prejudiced.