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| A Boy and His Dog Photograph by Beverly Blanchard |
The proper aim of giving is to put the recipients in a state
where they no longer need our gifts. — C.S. Lewis (The Four Loves, 1960)
Compassion,
it is a buzz word that has been used for eons.
Politicians toss the word into their speeches to gain favor with the
electorate. The corporate world engages
in cause related marketing to give the impression that they care about their
communities. Some even ensure us the money
raised through these various events is given good causes. Religious institutions talk about the
compassion for their fellow man as they pass around the collection plate. Charitable organizations use slogans to guilt
you into giving. Give or run for the
cause because it shows you care. We have
somehow come to be a society who associates giving money with compassion.
On
a more personal level, there are many people who believe feeling pity for
someone or something means they are exhibiting compassionate behavior. We give to the local panhandler because the
giving somehow appeases our guilty conscience.
Yet compassion laced with pity almost always has its roots in guilt and
fear, and carries a sense of condescension.
For some there is even a smug feeling of “I’m glad it’s not me.”
