Religious Education Update: February 18, 2007

Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig, 4704. In Chinese communities there will be parades with fireworks and even a dragon this evening. If you watch closely, you may even spot a scary dragon at UUP today! Why a dragon and why such a frightening beast? The following is from a REACH website, our UU religious education resource page:

Long ago, in the ancient and olden days, it was known that the dragon, a most powerful and mysterious being, would be a teacher to anyone truly wishing to be wise. But in most stories, the dragon also seems to be a dangerous monster. If a dragon is a wise teacher, why would it begin by frightening us?

I will tell you what I think. Most of us are not at all afraid of things we know and understand. It is the things we don't understand, the things that are strange, that frighten us. Maybe it's a new job, a new neighborhood, a vegetable you never ate before, or an idea you have been staying away from any of these things can be like dragons in our lives. But if you can get close enough to something strange, especially something strange that makes you nervous, then probably you'll begin to understand that strange thing a little bit. You'll find out that just because it is different doesn't mean it is dangerous.

In China, the dragon comes at the beginning of the new year, which is as good a time as any to think about trying new things. The youngest children, who have not seen very many new years or very many dragons, are usually afraid. Sometimes they cry. Sometimes they don't want to go near the dragon. And that's O.K. But sooner or later, when they get bigger, they can do it -- they go up to the dragon for the very first time, and shake hands with it. Then they can say: "I was brave! I shook hands with the dragon! It was breathing fire and stamping its feet but it didn't hurt me."

When you can do that, you are learning to feel good about yourself. You feel confident. And if you find yourself in another strange or uncomfortable situation, you can say to yourself, "I'll be O.K. I'm brave. I shook hands with the dragon." The next year, when the dragon comes again, you won't be so afraid of it. When you shake hands with the dragon, you'll feel joy instead of fear. With such courage comes the blessing of self-confidence, along with a step towards wisdom. That's why the dragon begins by frightening us.

If you’re feeling especially brave, come shake the dragon’s hand today. Happy New Year!

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education