With the recent acts vandalism against Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery and Mosques across the United States and Canada, I can’t help but be disappointed. I’m disappointed that in the year 2017 we still have an irrational fear of different faiths. I’m disappointed because these attacks are also an attack on the Christian God too.

A simple overview of the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, would reveal to anyone that each faith believes that we are the children of Abraham, and that all three share the same God. Yes, the same God who sent Jesus is the same God who spoke to Muhammad and made a covenant with Abraham. All three religions also share teaching from the Old Testament as well as share similar beliefs in how to be a good person.

Not only do these religions share the same God, the basis for their Holy Books, and rules to be good people, but the most important thing they share is people. When we strip the rules away, take away the different prayer books, even take away the prophets what is left? People searching for the meaning and purpose in this life.

Humanity is the greatest equalizer. It gives us the rational to choose to see our similarities and forget the differences. When we start to accept one another, understanding will rise and fear of the unknown will dissipate. In this divisive climate, we as people need to come together and remember that the only thing that can come out of hate and fear is more hate and fear.

When we, as a country, start to celebrate each other we can see that even though there are differences they are not as extreme as they can seem. Once condescend down, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity share similar foundations. Using these foundations, we can come together and build each other up.

Jaimey Windish is a senior at NDSU majoring in history with a minor in anthropology.

jaimey.windish@ndsu.edu

Cell. (701) 471-6035