ROME: EPISCOPAL CHURCH TEACHES TOLERANCE

By Bucky Chapman | Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer | 07/30/04

Imagine walking into an Episcopal Church and seeing kids learning how to pray to Allah.

Kids and adults got the chance to learn about different faiths this week at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rome during Vacation Bible School with a twist. This year the church taught their members, and members of other congregations, about other faiths and how they relate to Christianity.

The World Peace Village looked at Islam on Thursday night. The week-long event also investigated Buddhism, Native American beliefs, Hinduism, Judaism and briefly touched on Christianity.

"It's a study to promote peace and understanding and tolerance of other beliefs," said Wanda Hodges, coordinator of the event.

Widad Akrayee, a Kurd whose family fled Northern Iraq in 1996, spoke about how many of the differences between religions are man-made. "We are all created by one God, and only one belief," she said.

Rob Nash, dean of the school of religion at Shorter College, led an adult discussion. "It's been a meaningful experience for a congregation to open to other religions," said Nash, "simply for what they are, and not evangelizing but understanding."

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