Jessica Richardson
HLTH 1110-002
Service Reflection Paper
A non-Christian group embodies many religious people such as the Jewish,
Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims as well as the non-theistic groups like Scientology and
Atheists. An assignment for my Salt Lake Community College Social Health and
Diversity challenged me to complete 10 hours of service for a subordinate group. I was
assigned to become an ally for non-Christian groups. I decided to Google places in Salt
Lake City that support non-Christian groups, which I might be in need of volunteer work.
My searches initially lead me to The Utah Coalition of Reason. The Utah Coalition of
Reason is a resource for free-thinking Utahans uniting the various non-theistic organizations throughout the state. There were many challenges to completing service for this
group, but it became a learning experience. The rewarding parts came from becoming
eventually finding the Buddhist community and in participating and volunteering with
them during their religious holidays.
The Utah Coalition of Reason is affiliated with United Coalition of Reason. After
contacting the director she had an opportunity immediately that weekend to help out at
the Hoogle Zoo for Darwin Days. My opportunity to sit at the Utah Coalition of Reason’s
table, at the zoo for Darwin Days, was a fun and learning experience. My job was
helping to inform people about the Utah Coalition of Reason and the ideals behind nontheistic groups and how to participate and support them. I learned that non-theistic
groups include Humanists, Freethinkers, Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, Pagans,
Scientologists, and more. I feel very supportive of each one of these ideals and wanted
to give the most accurate information, but I am limited in my knowledge for some of
these. I tried to smile at everyone and come across open, interested, and approachable
for the curious few. I handed out reserved discount tickets to the current group
members and listened to their input. I had many people come up to the table warily
asking what the Utah Coalition of Reason is, what Darwin Days is, and what groups
they support. Darwin Days is a weeklong tribute Charles Darwin, sponsored by the
Utah Coalition of Reason, full of activities and speakers to attend and learn more about
Darwin’s scientific contributions and how it ties into freethinking. Most of the responses
I got from many people were uncomfortable silences. This was the main challenge I
faced is it felt like, most Christians I spoke to came across scared to support or learn
about unbelievers, that it must somehow diminishes their faith. I know that words like
godless can seem hard, but if you realize it’s only your perception that makes it so it is
easier to become an ally. Another other challenge was the cold, it was around 40
degrees out and sunny, but I was sitting still most of the time.
My service was also rewarding. Because a few people I met, while representing
the Utah Coalition of Reason, were thankful for our representation of their beliefs and
happy to know supportive groups exist here in Salt Lake City. There was one woman
that came and gave us her literature and art work. She was very proud to be supported.
Another man said he wasn’t a non-theistic, but encouraged and thanked us for being
there and serving the community. Just those two people really made me feel good
about my participation in the Utah Coalition of Reason.
Ultimately, I discovered the main need the Utah Coalition of Reason would be
met by helping them gain their 501(c)(3), the legal paperwork for non-profit status, for
their chapter of the United Coalition of Reason. I read up on it and talked to my
professor about it for approval, because I saw this would have a big effect on the
Coalition. I contacted Elaine, the director that we were all on board to be ally in for
them, to join up together, to get this paperwork and any needed signatures
accomplished. I was excited to participate in this process and learn more along the way
about non-profit groups. The problem is that Elaine has never responded since, despite
various emails and phone calls from our group, about our desires and interest in aiding
her with the 501(c)(3), or just volunteering for any of the non-theistic groups she
provides support for. I am hoping she is just busy and that this can still be
accomplished, but on the other hand I am going to look for another opportunity to
continue my ally volunteer hours for other non-Christian groups.
The Salt Lake Buddhist Temples has services on Sundays that are open to the
public, so I decided, upon having a very difficult time getting any return calls or emails
from the Coalition of Reason and other groups I had reached out to, to attend a
meditation and dharma talk service. At the end of the service a man had approached
the stand and asked if there was anyone interested in volunteering the coming Saturday
to help them clean and prepare for a celebratory luncheon to follow the service the next
Sunday. I was so grateful to offer my service; I really needed the hours after wasting
much time trying desperately to find a non-Christian group with volunteer needs that
would return my calls.
I showed up bright and early ready to work that Saturday. I was shown to the
large gymnasium, stage and kitchen area. The Buddhist Temple had recently
undergone remodeling of those areas. There was lots of construction dust and mess to
be wiped, swept, vacuumed and dusted off of the walls, lighting and curtains. After
completely clearing the gym and stage of dust, we set about wiping down and setting up
tables and chairs to fill the room. This was a lot of manual labor, but it felt really good
because they seemed really appreciative for the extra helping hands. This celebration
they were setting up for they explained to me while we cleaned, it is called Hanamatsuri,
which is the celebration of Buddha’s birth.
I learned that volunteer work is seen as an expression of dana. This selfless
giving is a reflection of our gratitude to Amida Buddha. They say, when you volunteer
your time, you enable them to celebrate special Buddhist services, share Japanese
American culture, maintain the Temple, serve the wider community, and develop a bond
between members. I felt very accepted by, as The Salt Lake Buddhist Temple calls its
followers, the Sangha. They invited me back to meditation and service the next day and
asked me to stay to enjoy the luncheon afterwards. I usually feel awkward alone at
things like this, but no one let me be on your own for long. I was given a personal tour
of the alter area by a member that was very friendly and wanted to help answer any of
my questions. The food was delicious. I tried Japanese food and tea that I had never
tried before. The children put on a show after that was very fun to watch. I learned
many things about the Buddhist faith and made many friends. I intend on going back.
I have enjoyed the opportunities to participate in groups that I otherwise would
not have ever known about. I learned much more about the distinctive qualities of
various non- theistic groups in the process and met some very intelligent and creative
people in my volunteering and I can’t wait to put in my last hours for the Buddhist
Temple volunteering for their Nihon Matsuri, a street festival open to the public,
celebrating all the facets of Japanese traditions and culture.