The Wheaton College Faculty Council has unanimously recommended that the college administration withdraw their efforts to fire Dr. Larycia Hawkins. This development comes after a month of controversy stemming from Dr. Hawkins’ public expression of solidarity with Muslims and her statement that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. But, despite the showing of support from the Faculty Council, Dr. Hawkins must still face the inquisition presented by the Faculty Personnel Committee, the College President, and the Board of Trustees.
Like millions of people around the world, I do not have a profound understanding of theology. I am just a common (wo)man with a bit of a common sense and an appetite for justice. And that is why and how I write today — not personally as a Christian, a Muslim, a Zoroastrian, or a Jew — but as a human being who cares deeply about justice.
As a third person to the events surrounding Dr. Hawkins, I cannot possibly peel through all the layers of policies and agendas at Wheaton College. What I do know and understand, however, is the essence of religious belief and the appeal of religious conviction, factors that have allowed religion to thrive throughout human history.
Here is how I would rather simplistically break down the case of Dr. Hawkins if I were a Christian “judge.”
I understand Dr. Hawkins had good intentions and felt sympathy for her “Muslim neighbors” who were being targeted by Islamophobic “gestures.”
Good intentions… [Read more…] about Putting Dr. Larycia Hawkins on Trial
