LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Our Muslim community is not to blame for extremists’ actions

As a person of faith, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the anger and vitriol being shown toward Muslims who live in the Dallas community. You may have heard of the protesters that gathered outside a Muslim conference in Garland.

Partly as a response to this, Northaven United Methodist Church recently hosted an event inviting clergy of all faiths to come together and support Muslims’ right to assemble peacefully and to worship God as they wish. More than 400 people attended, including rabbis, imams and dozens of Christian ministers.

The gathered clergy and religious leaders all read a joint statement that, among other things, said this: “Our common message today is to stand united as neighbors and citizens, and to bear witness to the values of this nation; values that make no room for bigotry based on race and religion. We recall that many of the founders of this nation came here to avoid religious persecution. They founded a nation where all faiths would be free to worship and serve their God freely.”

These protests paint all Muslims as murderous, evil terrorists. The truth is that most Muslims are good neighbors and peaceful members of our community.

Yes, there is horrible extremism being done in the name of Islam elsewhere in our world. Bone-chilling violence that deeply disturbs all of us, including American Muslims. But it’s always wrong to paint an entire religious group with the sins of their extremists.

For example, few seem to recall that one of the most horrific mass murders in Europe in recent history was an allegedly Christian Norwegian man who brutally murdered 77 people. In a rambling diatribe, he made it clear that he believed his faith compelled him. I thank God that in the weeks and months following that attack, nobody blamed Christians for it.

And lest you say, “That’s an extreme example. Everybody knows that guy was crazy, and that he wasn’t living out a real Christian faith,” I totally agree. And this is precisely what the Muslims I personally know are saying about the terrorism being done in the name of Islam.

After the Northaven event, many of the Muslims who attended expressed their gratitude. But behind that was the real fear that they live with, that they might be blamed for the actions of extremists halfway around the world.

I invite you all to prayerfully consider the ways in which we can be gracious neighbors, friends and coworkers to the Muslims who live in our neighborhood, attend our schools and sit next to us at work.

It’s not just a belief in our system of laws that compels us to respect other faiths. Each of the three great Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) share some version of The Great Commandment.

Jesus said, “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.”

In the Jewish tradition, Rabbi Hillel said it this way: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man.”

And in the sayings of Mohammed, we find: “Wish for your brother what you wish for yourself.”

The very freedom that our nation gives each of us to worship God as we so choose also gives peace-loving Muslims the right to do the same. Individually, we cannot stop world terrorism. But individually, we can choose each day to treat all our neighbors and friends with love, compassion and respect.

Call for a Tour

ITBS Test Scores

CLAIRE’S CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL

Lakehill Preparatory School

your child’s academic close to home. Dallas TX 75208 • 214-942-2220 www.thekesslerschool.com

PreK - 6th Grades

PreK - 6th Grades

We educate the Whole child Low Teacher Student Ratio

SACS/CASI Accredited

We Educate the

After School Enrichment Programs

Whole Child

Before & After School Care

Low Teacher Student Ratio

Art, Music, Library Time, Daily Spanish, Reading Lab

SACS/CASI Accredited After School Enrichment Programs

8202 Boedeker Dr., / (214) 368-4047 / clairesdayschool.com At CCDS, we encourage a child’s sense of exploration and discovery in a loving, nurturing, and safe environment. We offer a parent’s day out program with a play-based curriculum fostering socialization, motor skill development, and an introduction to academics for children aged 4mo – 3yrs. Our preschool for children aged 3-5 further develops these skills, along with a more focused approach to pre-math and prereading. At CCDS, we have developed our own science, math, and reading enrichment classes to ensure kindergarten preparedness for every child. We make learning fun!

Dallas Academy

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931 / lakehillprep. org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

Spanish House

Before & After School Care

1215 Turner Ave. Dallas TX 75208 214-942-2220

Art, Music, Library Time, Daily Spanish, Reading Lab

TheKesslerSchool.com

The Kessler PumPKin

Build analytical skills, self-esteem and character... Just don’t tell the kids, they just think...

1215 Turner Ave. Dallas, TX 75208 214-942-2220

TheKesslerschool.com

Ages 7 to 14 on the UT Dallas campus. For Beginners, Intermediate or Advanced

Morning (9 am-noon) or afternoon (1-4 pm) sessions.

June 8-12, June 15-19,

July 13-17, July 20-24, 2015 and extended playing classes.

972-883-4899 utdallas.edu/chess james.stallings@utdallas.edu

950 Tiffany Way, Dallas 75218 / 214.324.1481 / dallas-academy.com Founded in 1965, Dallas Academy’s mission is to restore the promise of full academic enrichment to students with learning differences in grades 1-12. A meaningful connection with each student is established to overcome barriers to success. Dallas Academy offers students an effective program and strategies to meet the special educational needs of bright students with learning differences, while including the activities of a larger, more traditional school. Classes are small, with a student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1 where students are encouraged, praised, and guided toward achieving their goals. Diagnostic testing is available to students throughout the community.

Highlander School

9120 Plano Rd. Dallas / 214.348.3220 / www. highlanderschool.com Founded in 1966, Highlander School offers an enriched curriculum in a positive, Christian-based environment. Small class sizes help teachers understand the individual learning styles of each student. Give us a call for more information.

The Kessler School

Pre K – 6th Grade / 1215 Turner Ave, Dallas TX 75208 / 214-942-2220 / www. thekesserschool.com The Kessler School offers an innovative academic environment that gives students a solid foundation, confidence, and a love of learning. Located just minutes from downtown Dallas; The Kessler School’s mission is to “educate the whole child,” and provides an individualized approach to teaching – meeting the student where their needs are. Students are educated socially through community time, physically through daily PE, academically through a wellrounded curriculum, and spiritually through a fostering of awareness and individual growth.

69% of our 200,000+ readers with average income of $146,750 want more info about private schools.

4411 Skillman 214-826-4410 / 5740 Prospect 214-826-6350 / DallasSpanishHouse.com

Spanish Immersion School serving ages 3 month - Adults. We offer nursery, preschool, elementary and adult programs at two Lakewood locations. Degreed, nativeSpanish speaking teachers in an “all-Spanish” immersion environment. Call for a tour today!

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S MONTESSORI SCHOOL

7900 Lovers Ln. / 214.363.9391 stchristophersmontessori.com

St. Christopher’s Montessori School has been serving families in the DFW area for over a quarter of a century. We are affiliated with the American Montessori Society and our teachers are certified Montessori instructors. Additionally our staff has obtained other complimentary educational degrees and certifications, including having a registered nurse on staff. Our bright and attractive environment, and highly qualified staff, ensures your child will grow and develop in an educationally sound, AMS certified loving program. Now Enrolling.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service.St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

Ut Dallas Chess Camp

800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson 75080 / (972) 883-4899 / utdallas.edu/chess ) 2014 Summer Chess Camp Campers learn while they PLAY. Chess develops reading, math, critical and analytical skills, and builds character and self-esteem. Just don’t tell the kids…they think chess is fun! Join beginner, intermediate or advanced chess classes for ages 7 to 14 on the UT Dallas campus. Morning (9am-noon) or afternoon (1-4pm) sessions are available June 8-12, June 15-19, July 13-17, July 20-24 and extended playing classes. Camp includes t-shirt, chess board and pieces, trophy, certificate, score book, group photo, snacks and drinks. Instructors are from among UT Dallas Chess Team PanAm Intercollegiate Champions for 2010-2012!

The Winston School

5707 Royal Lane Dallas, Tx 75229 / 214691-6950 / www.winston-school.org If your bright child struggles with things like Attention and Concentration, Executive Functioning and Dyslexia, The Winston School may be able to help. The Winston School has a robust academic program which prepares a student for college while at the same time developing the whole child. We understand bright children who learn differently and recognize their unique gifts and talents. Celebrating and validating these assets with our students enables them to discover who they are, and empowers them to be consistently successful. The Winston School brings hope for today and a road map for tomorrow.

White Rock North School

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410 / WhiteRockNorthSchool.com 6 Weeks through 6th Grade. Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus.

Zion Lutheran School

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

First friend

Friends of Wednesday’s Child announced former First Lady Laura Bush as the keynote speaker for its April 15 luncheon at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The announcement was made during a party at Anteks Curated. TV news anchor Cynthia Izaguirre will emcee the event. From left to right: luncheon chairwoman Cachet Petty and Friends of Wednesday’s Child executive director Sharon McGowan

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO. Email a jpeg to editor@advocatemag.com.