There's an interesting case going on right now at Wheaton College, a christian college in the US, where they are trying to fire a tenured faculty member who has been showing solidarity with Muslims by doing things like wearing a hajib and posting messages on social media saying Christians and Muslims “worship the same God."
This did not go over well with the hardcore Christian administration, so they called her in to explain herself. She wrote a statement describing how Christians and Muslims worship the same OT God, the God of Abraham, but there are differences in how that God is viewed. Now, the main discrepancy between the Christian and Muslim versions of God is the issue of the Trinity, required by Christians but rejected by Muslims. Therefore, in her statement, she addressed the issue of this difference, and pointed out that while it is certainly a difference in how God is considered, it ultimately does not mean that it is a _different_ God. She points out that if you don't believe in a trinitarian God, then what of Abraham and all the pre-Jesus prophets? Did they believe in the same God as Christians? If so, then why can't the same be said of Muslims?
Unfortunately, her response was not acceptable to them, and dismissal proceedings are going to be started.
The stated concerns from the administration are drawing attention from others in the Christian community. In response to her response, the Provost has sent a list of charges"
What's the problem? It's not theological, oh no. It's about standing in "solidarity with Muslims AND Jews.
Apparently, how dare she show acceptance of others?
The whole "worship the same God" thing really fascinates me. If that is such a problem, then why are we so comfortable with the "Judeochristian" descriptor? As I noted above, Jews worship the same OT God of Abraham, but don't accept the Trinity. Yet, throughout the world, we hear the conflating of Judaism and Christianity. But she notes the common connection to Muslims, and suddenly it goes against the statement of Christian faith? The idea that it is "unchristian" to show solidarity with other religions is not going over well with everyone, but clearly, there are supporters. However, there is the idea that a lot of the "support" is coming from anti-Muslim right-wing fundamentalists, who just happen to be donors.
Wheaton used to be a well-respected college, despite being Christian, it was recognized for strong education standards. But in recent years, it's become more vocally religiously strict, and there is concern about how that is affecting it's reputation, but this is more of a question for the Educational forum. Suffice to say, canning a Poly Sci prof because she is not sufficiently anti-Muslim is not going to help the reputation in that field (and the American Political Science Association has already strongly condemned all of it).
It's deep in the middle of the story, but you can find some more information about it here
http://ift.tt/1IUGizE
http://ift.tt/1IUGhvr
http://ift.tt/1K2KS9U
I've been following the story in the Patheos blogs (see the side menu on the top link)
This did not go over well with the hardcore Christian administration, so they called her in to explain herself. She wrote a statement describing how Christians and Muslims worship the same OT God, the God of Abraham, but there are differences in how that God is viewed. Now, the main discrepancy between the Christian and Muslim versions of God is the issue of the Trinity, required by Christians but rejected by Muslims. Therefore, in her statement, she addressed the issue of this difference, and pointed out that while it is certainly a difference in how God is considered, it ultimately does not mean that it is a _different_ God. She points out that if you don't believe in a trinitarian God, then what of Abraham and all the pre-Jesus prophets? Did they believe in the same God as Christians? If so, then why can't the same be said of Muslims?
Unfortunately, her response was not acceptable to them, and dismissal proceedings are going to be started.
The stated concerns from the administration are drawing attention from others in the Christian community. In response to her response, the Provost has sent a list of charges"
Quote:
|
First, Dr. Hawkins has failed to provide reasonable assurances that her personal theological beliefs are in line with the Statement of Faith and the College’s theological positions. For example, the following statements are among those of significant concern: 1. “I stand in human solidarity with my Muslim neighbor” (Facebook 1). 2. “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book” (Facebook 1). 3. Christians and Muslims “worship the same God” (Facebook 1; see also “turn to the same object of worship, namely, the ‘God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all’ [Eph. 4:6]”). 7. Her unqualified assertion of “religious solidarity with Muslims and Jews” (Facebook 2). |
Apparently, how dare she show acceptance of others?
The whole "worship the same God" thing really fascinates me. If that is such a problem, then why are we so comfortable with the "Judeochristian" descriptor? As I noted above, Jews worship the same OT God of Abraham, but don't accept the Trinity. Yet, throughout the world, we hear the conflating of Judaism and Christianity. But she notes the common connection to Muslims, and suddenly it goes against the statement of Christian faith? The idea that it is "unchristian" to show solidarity with other religions is not going over well with everyone, but clearly, there are supporters. However, there is the idea that a lot of the "support" is coming from anti-Muslim right-wing fundamentalists, who just happen to be donors.
Wheaton used to be a well-respected college, despite being Christian, it was recognized for strong education standards. But in recent years, it's become more vocally religiously strict, and there is concern about how that is affecting it's reputation, but this is more of a question for the Educational forum. Suffice to say, canning a Poly Sci prof because she is not sufficiently anti-Muslim is not going to help the reputation in that field (and the American Political Science Association has already strongly condemned all of it).
It's deep in the middle of the story, but you can find some more information about it here
http://ift.tt/1IUGizE
http://ift.tt/1IUGhvr
http://ift.tt/1K2KS9U
I've been following the story in the Patheos blogs (see the side menu on the top link)
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1PNVHkA
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