Loving everyone

I came across this article today and thought it was a great example of how people truly can get along even if they have different beliefs and viewpoints. The article is about how a college student from the U.S. had a Thanksgiving dinner in Turkey with an atheist, Jew, Christian, and Muslim. Everyone put there differences aside and just had a wonderful meal together. Now why can't people all around the world do the same thing? Why do so many people always have to fight just because they have slightly different views? As the saying goes, let's just agree to disagree.

So while people around the world continue to argue and fight over their differences I am happy to know that there are some people right here at the University (yes, I mean all of you InterfaithU members!) that do not feel the need to try to force their religious beliefs on others. I am happy that these people are perfectly happy to simply answer questions about their faith to those who are curious.

I can only speak from my own religious point of view (which is Islam), and in Islam religion cannot be forced on people, although we may educate others about it, a persons choice in faith must ultimately be their own and come from their heart. I can educate others about Islam to the best of my own ability, so that they understand its teachings, but I am not going to tell someone that if they do not become a Muslim they are doomed. I can honestly say that I find people who preach and say you will go to hell if you don't become a Muslim just as annoying as those who say if you don't take Jesus into your heart you will go to hell. As a Muslim I can also say I love Jesus (He is one of the Prophets in Islam), I simply don't believe he is the Son of God or died on the cross.

I would love to hear your thoughts too! What annoys you? What do you believe? What are your hopes for interfaith work?