THE CROWD -- b.w. cook

Tis’ the season to honor citizens who work for the good of all men.

The National Conference for Community and Justice paid tribute recently

to Costa Mesa’s Mark Victor Hansen, author of the “Chicken Soup for the

Soul” series, and Isabelle Villasenor of Corona del Mar, a local

businesswoman who owns numerous fast food franchises and uses her

resources to help a number of local causes.

The event, which took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Irvine, also

honored Ed and Sandi Laird and Muzammiul Siddiqi. Chaired by Gaddi

Vasquez and Amer El-Ahraf, the luncheon event attracted nearly 500 local

citizens and raised an impressive $103,000. The funds will be used to

support NCCJ programs in the field of human relations.

Founded in 1972 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the

organization changed its name in 1998, rededicating its purpose to fight

bias, bigotry and racism of all kinds in the United States.

We are not just a society of Christians and Jews, but rather a nation of

numerous religious faiths. The organization works to promote respect

through advocacy, conflict resolution and perhaps most importantly,

through education. The more we know about people of different faiths and

cultures, the less we are inclined to blindly hate the differences

between human beings.

Despite the fact that most religions strongly suggest that their practice

is the true and only path to glory, God has no religion.

People must learn to respect their differences. Organizations such as

NCCJ make this possible in an ever-shrinking and more hostile world.

Here in Orange County, programs such as the Interfaith Council Network,

The Religious Diversity Faire, Interfaith Youth Conferences, monthly

visits to different houses of worship, school symposiums on religion and

issues facing local citizens with moral and religious connections -- all

are part of the work of NCCJ.

How many people take the time to visit places of worship not their own?

Very few. In fact, people who do visit other houses of worship are often

amazed at the similarities found that may touch on their own beliefs.

And, despite major differences that do exist between religions, a common

thread of goodness does unite all people. Or at least it should.

That is why it is important to sing praise for citizens like Hansen.

Forty million copies of the chicken soup books have touched all kinds of

people from every religion. His influence of goodness is profound in

spite of the financial reward. Frankly, to be rewarded financially for

giving people hope and purpose is perhaps all the better.

The same can be said for Villasenor. A powerful and dynamic woman whose

example is significant to her Latino roots, Villasenor works to help

disenfranchised and at-risk youth, many from the local Latino community.

She is devoted to the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana, and is

a Founder’s Circle member of the Orange County Hispanic Education

Endowment Fund.

And as the proprietor of many McDonald’s restaurants in the area,

Villasenor actively supports the Ronald McDonald House and other related

charities of her business association.

In other words, the honorees are do-gooders, lovers of humanity, people

who want to live in a society that is inclusive of all, not exclusive for

some.

Tis’ the season to love and to spread the message that respect for

different beliefs (that do not spread divisive hatred of their own

creation) is the only way. Sadly, there are many who do not get this

message. There are far more who believe that God is only part of their

own religion.

Consider taking the popular bumper sticker that states, “God is Too Big

To Fit Into Any One Religion” a step further.

Consider this; God has no religion. People do. And people have a great

deal to learn.

Isabelle Villasenor, Mark Victor Hansen, Ed and Sandi Laird, and

Muzammiul Siddiqi -- all with different religious beliefs and backgrounds

-- are working with the NCCJ to foster goodness, justice and righteous

humanitarianism in our community and all over the world. No small task.

* B.W. COOK’s column appears every Thursday and Saturday.