bscinterfaith-blog

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"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color." - Maya Angelou  #interfaith #diversity

Each color represents a different faith or combinations of faith on my campus.

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Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.

Martin Luther King Jr.  (via kotalicious-definition)

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He who knows one knows none.

Max Muller

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A Sikh woman whose photo was surreptitiously taken and posted on an online forum in order to mock her facial hair has gained praise for her "graceful and fresh response".

Be sure to read Balpreet's full response. She is such an inspiration! She addressed the conference I attended in June, and I got chills listening to her story. 

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You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

Mahatma Ghandi

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My generation was bold enough to question many things and to seek spirituality over religion. We haven’t succeeded in overthrowing the old order yet, and maybe there are some meanings to be found in my story about coming of age spiritually in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Mathew Fox

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My religion is simple. My religion is kindness.

The Dalai Lama

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We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race

Kofi Annan

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Peace among religions is a precondition for world peace

Swami Agnivesh

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Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts.

Mahatma Ghandi

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Just remember something very important: interfaith does not mean losing your faith

Henry Gibson, a BSC alum now in seminary in Boston

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Fall 2013

Faithful Interfaithers, 

I am so sorry I have not posted in a few weeks. Life has been crazy, and as story telling is a large part of this movement, I suppose I'll tell you why I've been a little distracted:

1. It's summer, so give me a little break, please. Unfortunately it hasn't been a restful one, or I would post more. 

2. My boyfriend made the decision to quit his job on campus. It was the right decision, as he was miserable and it was hard for me to see him so unhappy. However, with terminating his employment on campus, he had to move off campus. So I've spent all summer helping him find housing, move, and now find new employment.

3. I'm still trying to figure out exactly where I am going from here. I doubt I will ever know for sure. 

So, with that confession out of the way, your faithful president is happy to unveil some of what will be happening this fall. Rejoice and praise whatever deity you follow, if any! *drum roll*

Fast Better Together

This fall, our major service project will be Fast Better Together. This project is aimed at bring awareness to and helping end hunger in the Birmingham community. We will begin by having a common hour on fasting, why it is done, and how to do it safely. Then we will have a day of fasting every month, and on that day, you can donate the same amount you would spend on lunch that day to a hunger organization in the community. That Saturday, we will be taking a group to a local soup kitchen to serve our community. You don't have to do it every month, and you don't have to fast to participate. But I ask that you do. We're going to make a difference.  

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Where we go from here

This is something I have been passionate about my entire life, but until recently, I have not known what to do about it. That has changed, dramatically, drastically, completely, the list goes on and on. I have recently learned the importance of stories in this line of activism, so I will begin by telling my own story.

I am a Christian. I grew up in a Baptist household, and for a large chunk of my childhood, my father was a minister. Normally, this is where people stop listening, and I get that, but I am in no way interested in throwing my faith in your face, so I beg you to continue. I grew up in a home that celebrated religious diversity. My parents have close friends who are Jewish, Buddhist, etc. It lit a passion for interfaith work within me that I did not know about until I became much older. But why should you care?

It is 2013. This may mean little to you, but as someone from Birmingham, AL, this means quite a lot. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the Civil Rights movement. I say start because the Civil Rights movement has not ended. It has evolved. Now, rather than focusing solely on race, it also deals with gender identity/equality and faith...but faith has fallen to the wayside. I believe that it is time to act. I believe that this movement, now that it has been given a name, can change the world. I believe that our generation will be the one to do it. 

I need help. I need like-minded people. President Barack Obama spoke of the importance of Interfaith work in his inauguration speech. The movement is taking off...like a fire. Will you join me?