Rose

I think many Dawkinsians haven’t seen something like this.

My dad was an elder in our church. One of the things elders did was ensure that anyone in the congregation who needed anything, got it. There was a mentally challenged woman named Rose who was a member of our church. The elders took turns picking her up on Sundays from the mental health facility where she lived.

Let me tell you a little about Rose. Her voice has an alarming edge to it. Her conversational skills are lacking but she enthusiastically tries to engage in it every chance she gets. Despite her aforementioned vocal setbacks, she loves singing.

Never once did I hear my dad complain about this task. Never once did I detect a hint of exasperation from my dad or any elder of the church. Never. Even now, I can’t believe it. Rose is extremely difficult to be around, but the entire church accepted her, not begrudgingly, but easily.

And Rose loved the church. She was genuinely excited to go to every Sunday, something I always had a hard time understanding.

It’s hard to think of a secular community that could show as much acceptance and compassion for someone like Rose. I still find it an inspiring example of the best of what Christianity can be. I think many Dawkinsians haven’t seen something like this.