I am an alumnus, class of 2005.  If it makes a difference, I am white, an atheist and was raised as a Protestant. The following is my response to Don Woodsmall’s requests for a debate regarding Imam Griggs’ theology:

Woodsmall, an alumnus of Wake Forest, has called repeatedly over the past three years for a debate of Imam Griggs’ theology due to concerns about terrorism, jihad and sharia law. His website’s arguments demonstrate a lack of understanding of Griggs’ faith and ideals. After reading about Griggs and reviewing Woodsmall’s website, I needed to respond.

Asking for Griggs to debate his beliefs in the context of terrorism and extremism is analogous to asking a Southern Baptist to debate his or her beliefs in the context of the KKK and slavery. Woodsmall argues that Griggs should have to justify his beliefs while his website misstates them entirely using anti-Muslim talking points instead of Griggs’s actual theology. Rather than an intellectual debate, Woodsmall wants a pulpit to spread Islamaphobia.

At Wake Forest I found a community that helped me begin a process of moving beyond closed-mindedness and often hateful assumptions. The faculty and much of the curriculum taught me to be self-critical and reject irrational generalities about others. I am by no means perfect, but I know that because of the university’s commitment to fostering acceptance I am a better person today and continue to grow utilizing those same tools. Wake Forest should continue to teach love rather than baseless fear. Griggs helps perpetuate that tradition.

By waging a war against the university and encouraging alumni not to donate to the school, Woodsmall has forced President Hatch to choose between supporting his students and strengthening the finances of the university. I applaud President Hatch for his unwavering support of Griggs and hope that the university continues to become more diverse and accepting in the years to come. I encourage non-Muslim students take advantage of the opportunity to hear Griggs’ worldview — not to change their faith, but to broaden their perspective. I also hope that Woodsmall comes to see that Griggs’ beliefs are not that different from those taught by other religious organizations on campus and that labels are not as important as substance.

“… [I]n diversity there is beauty and there is strength,” — Maya Angelou

Respectfully,
Jesse Rose
WFU Class of 2005