So What Am I Getting At? Part II of II

Ok, so I'll admit the previous post ended somewhat cryptically.

So what am I getting at then, with all that obscurity about Supermarket chains?

Well... there's a reason you don't see Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Woolworths working together to deliver the lowest prices at the highest quality.

The problem is not that these corporations have a reason to conspire against the consumer (ok, there's profit, but let's ignore that for now). Rather, there's a brand associated with each of these companies, and this brand needs nurturing, and the strong image of a brand is easily diluted.

If Woolworths started supplying some very cheap items (lower quality items), one could misperceive that they are dropping their standards. Similarly, if  Shoprite started including some high quality (and more expensive) items with the rest of their low priced stuff, it would leave some consumers with the impression that their prices are becoming "out of reach" of their customers.

Similarly, although I believe that most people that volunteer for a good cause are well intentioned, I also believe that there is an element of religious branding that goes with their good deeds. I think there is a perception, a misperception, that working collaboratively across religions can somehow dilute the apparent righteousness of the act of generosity.

To phrase this scenario less abstractly, if there is a Christian orphanage, then it's clear that it's the compassion of Christian people, presumably inspired by a Christian god, that has brought hope to someone in unfortunate circumstance. If the orphanage was run by Muslims and Christians, then I think some people would be left confused, in the same way that some consumers are confused when they find unexpectedly expensive/cheap merchandise at their favorite supermarket. Is it the Christian god or the Muslim god that has brought hope?

So now, my suggestion for building a better society is as follows:

1. Respect People that Try to Do Good

Respect that not every good person will agree on your ideology. Accept that this does not diminish the good that person does.

2. Do Good for the Sake of Doing Good

When contemplating doing something good, please consider doing it in a religion free way. This action is inclusive; it opens the circle to those that are not part of your religion, not part of a mainstream religion and even those that are not part of any religion.

3. Teach Only When People Ask

Some people seem to do good because they want to teach people what they have learnt about being a good person. I understand this, but I don't agree with the technique of doing good as a means of enticing people to listen to a message. If you are a real leader when it comes to spirituality, then I believe people will be drawn to you.

As an illustration of the point, the religion I'm most interesting in finding out about is Buddhism, because I love it that Buddhists seems so unpretentious. I've never met an evangelist of Buddhism, yet I'm attracted to the religion because of the way in which its members behave.

In Conclusion

So as a challenge, live your life in such a way that people are led to ask your opinion on spiritual matters.

If the above-mentioned principles are adhered to, then I think it will be much easier for people to collaborate across ideological boundaries; because the volunteers will be doing good for the sake of doing good. They will specifically not be trying to broadcast a signal. Instead they will be making themselves available to those in need of spiritual, intellectual and perhaps even physical nourishment.

I believe that if people lived their lives in this way, the world would be one step closer to becoming a more ideal place.