“Heroics and Unitarian Universalists”
Do we believe in heroes? Some Americans talk a lot about heroes, others about humility. What is the morality of heroism or celebrating heroics? Why do we think someone is a hero? Bill Thomas examined one hero in detail and brought in others, along with UU principles, philosophers, spiritual teachers and his Grandpa Harris. This is an update of a talk Bill gave a few years ago.
Bill Thomas sharing his story and song with us at FMUU.
Throughout the service Bill shared with us the story of Casey Jones, a railroad engineer in the late 1800′s who many people view as a hero for the sacrifice he made of his own life in an attempt to slow his passenger train to save his passengers before the train crashed. While telling his story Bill played clips of a song about Casey with the accompaniment of a harmonica; a song his Grandpa Harris had shared with him as a boy.
Bill also shared his thoughts on the concept of a hero. There are many definitions about what a hero is. Sometimes the idea of what is heroic can be perverted and used more to convince someone of an action that may not be morally right, or in an attempt to push one’s own selfish desires. For instance the young men in the middle east who are recruited to become suicide bombers who are encouraged and built up as heroes for the cause and told they will be celebrated for their heroic actions. Is this really an example of a hero? Most of us would say no, but this is just one example as to how a noble concept can be taken and twisted around by the selfish motivation of a select few.
What seems to make most sense as to what a hero is I think is well explained by these two definitions of hero from dictionary.com:
1.a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2.a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
These definitions are what come to mind for most when the word hero is mentioned. Not much is mentioned in writings or principles of heroes in the UU faith, yet UU’s still are able to recognize heroic actions in the world when they occur. A hero isn’t a man with a cape or a bunch of fancy gadgets, but a real person who is capable of displaying the same strength and courage as our fictional heroes.
Who do you view as a hero? Have you witnessed or heard about something that was truly heroic, and not just a great person with high morals but someone who has carried our a heroic act? Do you have an example of a hero from your childhood that has left lasting memories for you? Share your stories and heroes with us! Tell us who you see as a hero.