Christians, Jews and Muslims gather in Rock Hill for religious dialogue

Less than a week ago, the organizers of Rock Hill’s interfaith dialogue had no idea how timely their discussions would be.

On Friday night, more than 100 people were killed around Paris in a string of terrorist attacks, sparking renewed fears of Islamic extremism and sowing distrust between different religious communities.

Long before terror came back into the headlines, members of Rock Hill’s Committee for Racial and Religious Reconciliation planned to hold their first interfaith dialogue Tuesday at the Kenneth Monroe AME Zion Transformation Center on Saluda Street, bringing together Christians, Jews and Muslims to discuss the similarities between their three traditions.

Part educational seminar, the evening also served as a chance to begin conversations across religious divides.

Dot Killian, an associate presbyter with Providence Presbytery in upper South Carolina, said there is a need for such a conversation in York County. She noted the York County Council two weeks earlier considered a resolution opposing the resettlement of Syrian refugees out of fear of terrorist infiltration – although the council ultimately didn’t pass and no council member would second the motion going forward.

“Among the reasons given (in the resolution) was that they would receive federal aid and won’t learn English,” Killian said.

Earlier this year, Rock Hill’s Planning Commission declined to permit the development of a Muslim cemetery in the city. “One of the comments was, ‘Nobody knows what will go on behind the fence,’” Killian said.

Three speakers highlighted the different religions’ approach to gratitude. Mark Verdery, general presbyter with Providence, stressed the importance of grace and love in Christianity, while Carol Hahn, a lay member of Temple Solel in Fort Mill, stressed the thankfulness Jews have for each day, and the emphasis on thanking God each Shabbat, or Sabbath.

James “Jumah” Moore, executive director of the Islamic Center of South Carolina, read directly from the Quran on charity, which he translated after the verses were chanted in Arabic by Fahad Saad, an international student from Saudi Arabia attending Winthrop University.

Charity is “a loan to Allah,” Saad said. “You thank God for what you have, and then give it to other people.”

“Does he pay interest?” Moore asked. “Yes,” Saad said, “and it’s multiplied.”

During the general discussion afterward, 11-year-old Olivia Ratliff from Dutchman Creek Middle School in Rock Hill sparked most of the responses by asking how different religions can affect each person’s world view. But most answers Tuesday night emphasized the similarities between the three faiths.

Abdul Razak noted that as a Muslim, he must affirm the message of Jesus and Moses as well as Muhammad. He added meetings like this were important to countering violence and creating a single ummah, or community.

“The crazy ones fighting out there are not a problem for Jews or for Christians,” Razak said. “It’s a problem for all of us. We’re all children of the same God.”

Ellen Green apologized to the room’s Muslims for how often Christians have “not treated you like children of God,” and called out how many women there were wearing headscarves.

“You wear your faith,” Green said. “When I leave the house, I can hide my Christianity. Not everyone needs to know what I’m thinking.”

To all the different religious groups, “I want you to know you are loved,” Green said.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 9:06 PM with the headline "Christians, Jews and Muslims gather in Rock Hill for religious dialogue."