Wheaton Taking Steps to Fire Muslim-Supporting Professor
The Wheaton College professor who said Muslims and Christians worship the same god spoke at a press conference Wednesday about the school's move to fire her.
ABC 7 in Chicago reports that Dr. Larycia Hawkins said she holds no hate in her heart against the school.
Dozens of people from various faiths showed up at the press event to show support for Hawkins, who was placed on paid administrative leave in December after she posted the controversial statement on Facebook.
Why do some believe Christians and Muslims worship the same God and why are such beliefs harmful to multi-faith dialogue? Watch our interview with Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research below:
Hawkins said at the press conference, "Our love for Jesus compels us to make no peace with oppression because Christianity is political or it's not Christianity."
She told supporters, "My legs are shaky and your presence means a great deal. These people are holding me up...People I know and people I don't know."
Hawkins, who is a Christian and an associate professor of political science, began wearing a hijab to counter what she called the recent "vitriolic" rhetoric against Muslims.
She told reporters last month that her actions "were motivated by a desire to live out my faith."
The college said it has had frank conversations with Hawkins on doctrinal issues as it pursued the possibility of reconciliation with her.
But the school began efforts to fire Hawkins because of her refusal to participate in conversations about her theological views.
"Hawkins has stated clearly her unwillingness to participate in such further clarifying conversations," officials said.
Wheaton said Hawkins' theological statements "seem inconsistent with Wheaton College's doctrinal convictions, which she voluntarily agreed to support and uphold when she entered into an employment agreement with the college."
Hawkins said she continues to support the Muslim community, even after officials at her school said they plan to fire her for her controversial statement.
A spokesman for Hawkins said her client "maintains Christian support for the Muslim community amid the ongoing anti-Muslim climate."