Youngblood : Believing Posted 09:23pm (Mla time) April 15, 2005 By Jerraleen J.

Balais Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on Page A15 of the April 16, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer WHENEVER I see a situation where there's a clash between a religious value and social responsibility, I can't help but react with a raised eyebrow, a sarcastic smile, and a feeling of disappointment. Because it ma es me wonder-do they really have to be in collision, to begin with? I want to wor this coming school year, so one Sunday, I bought a newspaper and scoured its classified ads section, highlighting the jobs that interested me, and then calling the outfits that offered them. The first three things I loo for in a company are its mission, vision and goals. I mean, what's the use of wor ing in a place where I wouldn't get any personal fulfillment? For me, wor is not just about earning money. It's all about becoming the person that you are, and the best person that you can be. So I ma e sure that the company should, at least, have the same values as the ones I uphold or aspire for. I found this non-government organization loo ing for a program development facilitator

for children. Its ad caught my attention because of its emphasis on "compassion." As a ey requirement, it also demanded of applicants "a personal relationship with God and a deep foundation on Christ's teachings." I called them up. I'm Jerlin and I would li e to inquire about the ad you placed in the newspaper. I've also visited your website and am impressed with your organization. I'm very much interested to join your group. I'm a Catholic. Do you accept Catholic applicants? (I was aware that the NGO belonged to a "born-again Christian" denomination.) Silence for about 10 seconds from the other line. No, came the reply (as if it was the first time she heard the question from an applicant). I am really sorry, but that is our discrimination here. (Yes, she really used the "d" word.) Our Christian organization is very careful on that policy. We ma e sure that all of our wor ers are grounded on the same foundation. I am really sorry. I said o ay, no problem. Than you very much, and I placed the phone down. I now that it is the prerogative of a company to hire the wor ers it wants and to set the standards as to who would qualify for a particular job. And, indeed, if I were in the shoes of that company,

I would most probably also li e to see that everybody in the wor place is strongly grounded on the same values and beliefs. I bear no grudge on the NGO's selectivity in the hiring of its employees. But I was thin ing: How could an agency be compassionate and practice religious discrimination at the same time? As a Catholic, I must admit that we have a lot of Church-based organizations that prefer to hire Catholics. And for the record, I have nothing against other religions and faiths, no matter the differences in our beliefs. But sometimes, I just wonder why religion should be a requirement in doing social wor . I now religion is a way of life. It should be an essential basis for what we do, why we do something, and how we do things. Religion is not just one aspect of life because it influences life's every aspect. And I do believe that God is universal. He is love. And love is for everyone, whether you see it through Jesus Christ, or Allah, or Buddha. I was raised understanding that "compassion" itself means unconditional love for everyone, especially for those who are marginalized and discriminated. So, I guess, I was ind of disappointed to be caught right in the heart of a situation where religious values clashed with reality. We have to accept the reality that religions differ much in their faiths and beliefs. But it is as much a reality that they share as well many things in common: Respect for human dignity, belief in order, well-being, peace, harmony, hope, charity, sharing, unity, and love, among others. Why can't we just focus on these shared values and aspirations? It is not collision that we need. It is coalition. And I do not mean uniting all peoples under one religion just li e Beatle John Lennon dreamed in his hit song "Imagine." Still, reality is closer than we thin : I do not dream of a perfect world, but I do dream of a better one. And while wor ing on this better world, maybe, we can loo forward to the time when all of us-in any place, at anytime--can genuinely say to one another: "Peace be with you." Jerraleen J. Balais, 24, holds a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, major in Religious Education and School Guidance, from the University of Santo Tomas. She is currently studying for a diploma in Social Wor in the College of Social Wor and Community Development, UP-Diliman.