An Essay of Yesterday

The following is an essay I wrote when I was in my third year taking up Business Education. My classmates were so proud of me back then when this essay bagged the top place. I ran through my old files today, and found the original manuscript. I have to post it to my blog not to brag, but to have it preserved. To be honest, I really find it funny and dumb =). Hehehe, Im posting it as is, so I apologize for any wrong grammar and i know most of you can write better...

EDUCATION FOR ALL: A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF EDUCATION AND FAMILIES

"Education is life, growth, social process, and reconstruction of human experience.” A perfect definition, my professor used to say, a definition given by the great Dewey. If education is life, everyone has the right to for life. If education is growth, definitely everybody has the right to grow and develop. If education is a social process and a perpetual reconstruction of experience, without a doubt all of us have to right to posses those. It is, therefore, logical to conclude that education is for all, a right of every individual living in our society. However, reality seems to show a paradoxical truth with regards to education.

Children, instead of spending time in classrooms, spend time wandering on the street pursuing a mendicant life begging, or selling sampaguitas. Young adults, instead of consuming precious hours on colleges or universities, stay at home as istambays or go gambling and using drugs. Their parents, instead of motivating their children to go to school, send their children looking for a living, “gastos lang yan” they may say. Yes, there is a big problem here. Instead of a right, eduction became a privilege, a privilege for those who need not worry where to find food to satisfy painful hunger. Poverty because of being uneducated, being uneducated because of poverty. A self-sustaining dilemma.

It is never too late, however, it is never too late. If education is a social process, it therefore has the responsibility of interacting within the society. It has the obligation of providing the sufficient education for all. Educators, as pioneers of education, must posses the correct viewpoint when it comes to their profession. They must not only view educating as a source of income, but as a noble way of helping others. “It is never enough to give a man a fish, he may only eat for a day. Teaching a man how to fish, he may eat for the rest of his life.” That adage by Confucius is applicable. We will not be helping people just by continuous provision of what they need for a day, food, clothes, or the like. Instead, by providing them with quality education, it will enable them to learn how to live. The statement “education for all” must also motivate all educators to educate without prejudice, reaching those who need learning but lacks the sufficient funds to provide for the expenses of such learning. It is our responsibility.

But it is not the educators’ sole responsibility. Education, however, begins within the family. It is where an individual first learn how to deal with other individuals. As the primary unit of the society, the family and its members must be aware that it is their duty to provide the basic learning for their young ones. They must also motivate their children to value education as one values his or her life, for education is life.

Education, in order to be appreciated by all, must be provided by the family and the community. It is a collective responsibility. Its like doing things with both hands, not just the left, not just the right. We must put in our minds that everyone has the right for education. Everyone has the responsibility to provide education. By helping each other to attain sufficient and quality education, we can expect a great change within a reasonable period of time. “Education for All” will be not just a slogan, but also a sweet success that we shall reach.

Why I Believe Im in the TRUE RELIGION

Before we proceed, I know that for most people, religion is a taboo topic. I am also clearly aware that almost every religion claims that it is the true faith, and for some individuals, there is not even such a thing as ‘true faith’. We may even have a different point of view about the meaning of the word ‘religion’. It doesn't matter though. Regardless of what religion or belief you currently have, you will just be reading my personal perspective. You may react in any way you want, but yes, I am boldly claiming that I found the true religion.

I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But this article is not in any way endorsed by the Watchtower Society.

For the readers of this blog (especially for a blogger/office mate friend of mine who is a self-claimed agnostic) who are non-Witnesses, please know that I sincerely respect your beliefs and opinions. I am not writing this to imply that you are in the wrong course of life, not at all. It is also not my purpose to initiate an opposition to whatever dissimilar viewpoints we have. This blog article is not written to convince you to ‘switch over’. At the very least, I hope you would just appreciate the Witnesses even if you are not one. I just really want you to have an idea on how I see things from my standpoint, and to be unbiased, I will use a third person’s way of stating things...

I am not going to discuss the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Although I am greatly convinced that their teachings are in accordance with the Bible and it is one of the main reasons why I'm a JW, Id prefer to discuss things that I see. I think it would be practical to avoid debating about doctrines and teachings for now,and if you really want to observe if a religion is true or not, its really better to look at how people apply what they say. That is right, walk the talk. Most religion would say a lot of good things, but would act differently. Anyway, what Jesus said was : ”By their fruits you will recognize them...” (Matthew 7:16)

So , the following are some of the reasons why I believe that the Witnesses are indeed in the truth:

1. They show genuine love for each other and for their community.

During WWII, while majority of religious leaders would convince their ‘sheep’ to defend their country by killing soldiers from the enemy nation, there is this group of people who are either imprisoned, tortured, or killed in their own country because they refused to join the war. The Witnesses. The reason? They love their neighbor regardless of what country or nationality that neighbor belongs to. They refuse to hold arms and shoot a fellow human being.

Until now, in some countries, many Jehovah’s Witnesses are imprisoned just so because they refuse military service.

This may sound too ideal, but in reality their love for each other transcends all types of cultures, skin color, race, and economic status. There is equality among their members. They are not perfect individuals, and just like the apostles during early Christianity, they sometimes have their conflict. But because of love, they cover each other through true forgiveness and consideration. They would never give consent to gross wrongdoing, but at the same time they earnestly reach out to those who are sincerely repenting.

“By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves” (John 13:35)

2. They uphold high moral values which I know are very beneficial in today’s environment.

In reference to Jehovah’s Witnesses, WIKIPEDIA states “Their view of morality reflects conservative Christian values. All sexual relations outside of marriage are grounds for expulsion (disfellowshipping) if the accused is not deemed repentant.Abortion is considered murder. Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasized. Gambling, drunkenness, illegal drugs, and tobacco use are forbidden” (Italic is mine).

Again, I am not saying that they are “sinless” perfect individuals. But despite the imperfection, they strive to follow what is right according to the Bible. And because they do so, their quality of living is , for me, quite outstanding.

Its true that most Christian religion would also uphold these moral values, but if you are gonna observe majority of their flock, are they really upholding to these values?

3. They are, in the real sense of the word, happy.

Nowadays, its a fact that if you are too rich, you are miserable. If you are too poor, you are miserable. But the Witnesses have this inner contentment. They are satisfied with what they have. No matter what their economic status is, you would see them knocking door to door happy in what they are doing. I'm serious, if you would really have the opportunity of associating with them even for just a day, you would truly understand what I mean when I say that they are indeed happy people. =)

^"Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need..."Matthew 5:3

4. They refuse to join politics.

The Witnesses are politically neutral. They don't take sides, since they only acknowledge Jesus as their leader. When Jesus was on earth, he refused to join politics too; several times eventhough he had all the means if he wanted to. Same thing with early Christianity, apostles refused to get involved with politics. For me, it is one thing that separates them from all other religions, especially during the election (if you're in the Philippines, I think you will appreciate this fact more... ^^)

Those listed above are just the few among many reasons. I hope you would also realize why the Witnesses would voluntarily sacrifice time, effort, and expenses just to reach out to people and share beneficial Biblical teachings. I hope you would also have the opportunity of knowing more about Jehovah, the only true God that Jesus Christ himself worshiped. (John 20:17) If you have questions about the belief or interested in getting literature published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, please do not hesitate to visit www.watchtower.org.

HUMILITY

Jehovah God endowed each of us our own unique abilities and attributes. But regardless of what our capabilities and talents are, we are measured based on how we display humility. Will you be humble enough to consider others superior? Are we willing to listen to a good advice even if it may come from someone younger or less experienced?

“The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and glory and life.”—PROVERBS 22:4.