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.

Kids were taught that the "Golden Rule" of treating others how you would want to be treated applies to all six religions.

"The Islamic faith has respect for all religions," said Widad Akrayee, a Kurd whose family fled Northern Iraq in 1996. She was joined by her daughter-in-law, Hileen Akrayee, who showed the kids how to use a prayer rug and explained that Muslims stop to pray several times each day.

Following dinner, adults attended a discussion led by Rob Nash, dean of the school of religion at Shorter College. "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."

"It was a new experience," said Alexandra Carlton, 9. "It was fun hearing stories, singing songs and doing the crafts."