Learning the lesson of compassion

GUELPH — At the heart of all the world’s religions beats the fundamental principle of compassion.

Taylor Evans Public School grade seven and eight students — about 100 of them — spent Friday learning this religious lesson during a one day Faith Fair. Many said it would stay with them for a lifetime and make them more accepting and understanding of the followers of various faiths.

“It’s so interesting how a lot of the religions are actually very similar,” said Helen He, 13, adding that the word “love” is prominent in all religions. “Everybody is so different on the outside, but actually what they believe is the same. They all want to love God, and they all understand that God loves them.”

The Eagles Building Bridges project embraces the Charter of Compassion, a document developed in 2008 through TED (Technology Entertainment and Design). The opening line of the charter states that compassion is at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, and it “calls us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves.”

The school invited representatives from a number of faiths — including Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism — to share their beliefs and history with students. The representatives were part of the University of Guelph’s Multi-Faith Team.

Students dressed in light blue T-shirts with the Eagles Building Bridges logo, encircled the school’s gymnasium and performed a reading-in-the-round of the charter, which was captured on video. Workshops were held with the various religion representatives.

“A lot of my friends have different religions,” said Danielle Brown, 13. “So it is really nice to know what they believe, and it’s really nice that they know where I’m coming from as well. It means we get closer and have better relationships.”

Taylor Evans grade eight teachers Kate Petreny and Melissa Roth helped develop the project along with principals Gary Slater and Allison Stoffman.

“We are hoping that they learn that there is a commonality between the religions,” said Petreny, “that they can work together with empathy, compassion and friendliness toward one another, and to be part of a whole group and not to be segregated. That’s what we really want to promote here.”

Petreny said the school is a “microcosm” of the world of religion, with many faiths represented in the student body. She said grade seven and eight is a good age for children to start learning respect for different groups, cultures and religions. “They don’t have a lot of bias yet,” she said. “It’s a wonderful age, and they are so willing to make that change.”

Slater said the project sprung from the Ministry of Education’s and Upper Grand District School Board’s policies aimed at embracing diversity and equity, and making Ontario’s public education system as inclusive as it can be.

“We’re focusing on understanding each other’s backgrounds, histories, cultures and religions,” he said, adding that such learning helps people understand and appreciate each other in terms of race, religion and creed. The idea of compassion for others, he said, is central to all major religions.

“I think it is a really good program,” said Jodre Datu, 13. “I think it will help us prevent ignorance.”

roflanagan@guelphmercury.com