MY WEEKEND INSIGHTS-

02nd November, 2024.

BUILDING THE RIGHT NETWORK BEYOND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES

By Sabiiti Herbert

Growing up in the Church of Uganda as a pastor’s child, I was immersed in biblical teachings that emphasized compassion, kindness, and faith. These teachings shaped my worldview and helped me navigate life’s challenges with resilience. As I grew older, however, I encountered different interpretations within the Christian community about how to interact with those outside my faith. Some advised keeping distance from “non-believers.” This raised questions in my mind about who a “non-believer” truly is and whether avoiding people based on religious labels aligned with the essence of my faith. One of the most impactful lessons I have found on this topic is in the story of the Good Samaritan. The parable demonstrates that the “right” person to associate with isn’t defined by religious affiliation but by their heart, character, and actions. This Samaritan, who would have been seen as a foreigner and perhaps even a “non-believer” by others in the story, acted with compassion. This story resonates with my experiences growing up and the friendships I have built across various religious backgrounds. For instance, my grand father’s close friendship with the late Dr. Pius Ruhemurana, a devout Catholic, had a profound impact on our family. Dr. Ruhemurana provided us as a family with free medical care, despite our differing faiths, simply out of kindness. His compassion and generosity taught me that genuine friendships transcend religious labels. Another example is the Muslim girl who gifted me scholastic materials, helping me succeed in ‘O’ level during a challenging time. Her selflessness provided support that I desperately needed, demonstrating that acts of kindness can come from unexpected places. As I continued to build relationships across various faiths, I realized that some of the people who have supported me the most in my career, my education, and my personal life came from diverse religious backgrounds. These individuals included Muslims, Catholics, Pentecostals, and others. Their actions, driven by shared values of kindness, integrity, and generosity, have been the basis of our connection. In contrast, there are instances where members of my own faith have not shown the same level of support. This experience has led me to believe that the church should promote unity, peace, and discernment in our relationships. Being open to different perspectives enriches us. While shared beliefs can be a foundation for community, I believe that focusing solely on religious labels limits the scope of our connections. In professional and personal spheres, it is wise to choose people based on their character and capabilities rather than their faith. After all, why would I bypass a skilled, hard-working person simply because they follow a different religion? Faith should not be a barrier to recognizing someone’s value or potential.

I pray for the wisdom to discern the right people to associate with. May we all look beyond labels and focus on building networks based on shared values of love, kindness, and integrity. As the story of the Good Samaritan teaches, the “right” people may not always look or believe as we do, but their actions can reflect the divine in powerful ways.

Sabiiti10@gmail.com