One subject I have always been able to brag about is being a Lebanese American, mostly because Lebanon is one of the most religiously diverse countries there is. A good example of this is that my mom is Sunni and my Dad is Shia. All of my 11 siblings identify as Shia Muslims and I am their oldest sibling. I hold all three Abrahamic religions in equal regard and I see Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as very, very similar. I could take the easy way out, lash out at these ignorant comments, however, I choose not to; it is like Christ to forgive and turn the other cheek, regardless of the severity of the insult or the vulgarity of author. Instead, I would like to suggest that those writing these bigoted, hateful words to look inwards and see if they are following the teachings they see fit to force on others. I doubt true Christians can have such disregard for a people and faith that show far more respect then they tend to receive.
Many Muslims in Lebanon consider Christ equal to The Prophet Mohammad. I am sure you are aware that the Koranâs teachings are not so different from your own. What is different is the way in which these two books are constructed, one a set of parables and allegory, the other a religious monologue. Both these texts reach the same truth.
Take the Virgin Marry, for example, there is a whole chapter in the Koran about the Virgin Mary. Yes, Muslims believe The Virgin Mary to be deserving of as much dignity, and as much respect as those central to the Muslim faith. And yes, they believe her to have been a virgin as well.
Dr. Walton is a mother, educator and an inspiration. She is trying-at a major cost to her children and herself-to educate society, which is her vocation after all. She has never said a word against Christianity or Judaism and is simply aligning herself with her children and their faith.
It is peculiar to me why Andrews University does not support Muslim Faculty. I find it shocking that you presume to truly educate Muslim Children while refusing Muslim faculty. Andrews University, to my knowledge, is not known for blind bigotry and I question if you have the best interest of your students in mind. To force the homogeneity of your staff is to reject what it is to be an academic. If your beliefs are so easily threatened, I am not sure how you can call it belief at all.
Andrews should embrace its students, its country and encourage its faculty to be honest with other and themselves; assure them that their jobs donât depend on their religious values but rather on their commitment to teaching and serving all students.