July 15, 2002

COMMENTARY:
Harsh, divisive words can do damage on the mission field
___By Rob Sellers
___Professor of Missions
___ Logsden School of Theology, Hardin-Simmons University
___Eight students from the Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons University traveled with my wife and me to Nairobi, Kenya, where we studied "African Religions, Cultures, and Social Change" with a respected African Baptist and senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
___Douglas Waruta, recent recipient of Logsdon's Distinguished Alumni Award for 2002, introduced these young ministers to a broader world view, a deeper appreciation of divergent cultures and peoples, a less glorified and more accurate assessment of missions history in Africa, and a more balanced understanding of the Christian message and lifestyle in the African context.
___As a part of our study, we visited cultural and religious sites in and around Nairobi. One afternoon, we went to one of the

"We don't believe in terrorism. That is a misunderstanding of our faith."

largest Islamic centers in Tropical Africa. We were met with the utmost courtesy, openness, and warmth. Even Waruta was surprised that we were allowed into all parts of the mosque and could engage in dialogue with both worshippers and leaders. I was especially struck by the kindness of a wise haji who was visiting from Uganda.
___"You Christians and we Muslims have much more in common than many people think," he suggested. "We don't believe in terrorism. That is a misunderstanding of our faith.
___"We need to stop fighting one another and sit down to talk together. That is the way to peace."
___It was the kind of statement that I strongly endorse. It made me profoundly grateful to be associated with efforts that promote interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding.
___How disheartened I was, then, to access my email later that very evening and read the harsh, judgmental and arrogant pronouncements of Jerry Vines at the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in St. Louis. I am quite sure that had our hosts heard of Vines' unloving, insensitive portrayal of their beloved prophet and had known that we 10 Americans are Baptists, we would have been rejected immediately. No friendly conversation, group photographs, exchange of addresses or possibility for future relationship would or could have occurred.
___Harsh, judgmental and arrogant pronouncements can do nothing but damage the efforts of people of good will of all faiths who desire to know and understand one another better. Such statements foster a neo-colonialist perspective that sadly reflects some of this continent's history that many contemporary Africans associate with Christianity, Christians and Christian missions.
___People around the world—torn apart by religious rhetoric and strife—need much more to hear the spirit of compassion voiced by this humble Muslim pilgrim from Uganda than those divisive words of a "busy" Baptist preacher from Florida.
___ Rob Sellers
___Connally Professor of Missions
___Logsdon School of Theology
___Hardin-Simmons University
___Abilene, Texas


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