Article November 26, 2018 Issue

The power of sincerity

Laura Lapointe

Originally published in The Christian Science Monitor’s Christian Science Perspective column, August 20, 2018.

Growing up, almost every day after school I could be found watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, during which Fred Rogers—an ordained minister as well as a children’s television host—taught me and so many other children important lessons in a compassionate and humble way.

At first glance, Rogers may not have seemed a very dynamic man in the traditional sense. He is known (and at times poked fun at) for his predictable outfit of a cardigan and sneakers and his sometimes goofy or awkward mannerisms. Yet one part in the recent documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? that particularly spoke to me was footage of Rogers testifying before the United States Senate in 1969 to defend the need for funding for public television.

The senator running the hearing had been gruff and dismissive. Rogers, leaving his prepared remarks, asked if he could just share the words of a song that he wrote for the children who watched his show. The song includes these lines:

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Teens
My Father’s care
November 26, 2018
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit