“Dear Editor—I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Grinch. Papa says, “If you see it in the Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Grinch.
Virginia O’Hanion
Virginia, your friends are wrong. They do not believe except what they see, and because they do not see a tall, furry green creature with a scowl on its face and a dour disposition, they conclude there is no such thing.
But make no mistake. The Grinch exists. Actually, Grinches abound.
The typical Grinch divides life into two groups, those who see things a certain way — the way Grinches do — and those who see life otherwise. And those with a different view are to be scorned and reviled. It is as if those others don’t matter.
You see, Grinches thrive on sameness. There is only one way — the Grinches’ way. Grinches revel in division.
Grinches are never the cause for their own sorrow or predicament and are quick to blame others for their problems. A Grinch’s ego precludes him from ever finding fault with himself. Grinches will contort the facts so as to relieve themselves of responsibility and will create scapegoats for their perceived injustices.
Many Grinches take joy in converting Christianity into a doctrine where God is angry and wants us to be on guard against anyone who is different from Grinches. While the New Testament calls us to love one another and to reach out and comfort the marginalized, the typical Grinch preaches that we must arm ourselves and take on the role of soldiers because we are in danger.
Grinches love fear
You see, Grinches see danger everywhere. “Other” people want what Grinches have, and so a Grinch will always think of protecting himself.
What Jesus preached during the sermon on the mount — blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful, etc. — well, that’s sissy stuff that no longer applies. Our world is a dangerous place, and all those “others” are a threat. The god of the Grinches wants them to think about themselves. Period.
Sharing has no place in a Grinch’s world. Raising up others from poverty is just so much nonsense. Believing we are all of equal worth and are called to create a world where everyone can share in the bounty bestowed on us is a foreign concept to Grinches. In fact, a Grinch would call such an attitude crazy talk.
Grinches are miserable
Grinches suffer from an acute sense of grievance, of being left behind and forgotten. Grinches repeatedly lament how unfairly they have been treated. Sadly, Grinches wallow in resentment.
Grinches see life as a zero-sum proposition. If others enjoy any gain, it means less for the Grinch, and so Grinches loath generosity in both spirit and material. Those who abound in wealth are the model to follow in a Grinch’s world. No need to share with those who are poor. In fact, those who are poor have only themselves to blame.
No, Grinch?! To be sure, Grinches are here, and if we are not careful, the Grinches will overpower us.
To deal with them, we must do what Grinches are incapable of doing — have faith in and practice the virtues of love, compassion, gratitude and justice.
[This post was originally published in The Columbus Dispatch on December 23, 2005.]
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Jack D’Aurora writes for Consider this by JD
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This article is insightful and compassionate which are the traits of Jack’s writing. We all need to be reminded that it is worthy to lift those up living in the shadows. We should revive the bracelets labeled, “WWJD”, that were popular a couple of decades ago, to be used to support decency in our daily actions, at a time when we watch such indecent behavior on the news.
Cheers and Merry Christmas!