Parents, society and the media all influence people’s judgement of others, and by the time we are adults, we have often formed certain opinions about people who are ‘different’ to us. But children often have a fresher perspective – like Lucinda, a young guest on a recent episode of SAT-7 ACADEMY programme Keys to My Kid.
“THAT’S HOW GOD CREATED THEM”
Five-year-old guest Lucinda surprised the programme’s presenter, Asnat Awad, during a candid chat about the “others”. When asked about how she sees people who are different to her, Lucinda answered: “That’s how God created them. They are just like that. We can pray for the ill and poor for God to heal them and provide for them.”
As they discussed the differences between people based on religion, physical appearance or race, Lucinda said that all people are the same regardless and we should treat one another equally.
CHILDREN ARE NOT JUDGEMENTAL
The episode also featured guest speaker Dr Maher El Dabaa, a Psychology professor at the American University in Cairo, who shared his insights on the topic.
“What’s amazing about children is that they don’t judge one another based on appearance, status or anything. They just play together,” El Dabaa said. “But this innocent acceptance of the other recedes with time as they grow and learn from their parents the judgment of the other.”
Psychiatrist Maher Samuel shared a biblical perspective on the issue. “Without the true knowledge of God, one cannot accept the other,” he said. “It is written in Romans 2:11 ‘For there is no partiality with God’. When we accept the fact that we are all the same to God regardless of our colour, race and religion, then we can accept the other.”
HELPING PARENTS LEARN FROM THEIR CHILDREN
Keys to My Kid, which comes under the SAT-7 ACADEMY brand of educational programmes, aims to help parents learn from their own children about parenting mistakes they may be making, as the children share their personal opinions and experiences. The show addresses topics including understanding children’s needs, unhealthy teaching at home and psychological and physical abuse.
“Most children’s responses to our questions are surprising to us,” presenter Asnat said. “We learn a lot from them.”
PRAY
- Thank God for Lucinda and her attitude of acceptance towards others.
- Pray that Keys to My Kid will continue to shatter negative stereotypes. Pray for presenter Asnat Awad.
- Thank God that He “does not show favouritism” (Romans 2:11) but loves us all equally. Pray for greater equality and tolerance of others in the MENA region.