The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : “One must be sensitive to others’ feelings”

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Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

“One must be sensitive to others’ feelings”

Staff Reporter

Israeli professor lays emphasis on tolerant attitude

MADURAI: A professor from Israel stressed on the need for a tolerant attitude towards those from different cultures, races and religions for a better society.

Mayer Gruber, Professor, Bible Archaeology and Ancient Near East, Ben Gurion University, was delivering the Graham Staines endowment lecture on ‘Sensitising ourselves towards others sensitivity,’ organised jointly by Society for Community Organisation (SOCO) Trust and Centre for Religion and Interfaith Relations, Lady Doak College, here on Tuesday.

Mr. Gruber, a specialist in bible studies, said that the question of “baggage” was everywhere.

Missionaries carry out their work towards the gospel of truth. All missionaries, irrespective of them being a Christian, Jew and Muslim, looked forward to a “better day.” A person would insult another intentionally or quite often unintentionally.

When the insulted person indicated that her/his feelings had been hurt, often the offending individual would respond with “you are too sensitive.”

Moreover, it often happened that when the offended individual reported to a third party how she/he felt humiliated, the latter would respond by telling the victim that she/he was at fault again “for being sensitive.”

Of all places

Unfortunately, adding insult to injury was endemic to hospital visits and visits to homes of persons mourning the death of a family member.

“Precisely the two places where one should be ministering to the emotional needs.” Quoting from the Book of Job, Prof. Gruber said people should respect fellow humans and be more sensitive and unlearn the bad habit of blaming the victim.

Selvagomathy of SOCO Trust, spoke on how brotherhood, tolerance and mutual cooperation were fast disappearing among individuals.

M. Valliammal, coordinator, Centre for Religion and Interfaith Relations, Lady Doak College, welcomed. Principal Nirmala Jeyaraj was present.

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