THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
SOURCE: By TERRY LINDVALL
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
In her ``Why some might think Pat's an anti-Semite'' (Another View, May 3), Norfolk attorney Roberta Baker revives two controversial issues to malign Regent University and its Chancellor Pat Robertson as anti-Semitic. Both the student editorial and the presence of the disreputable Journal of Historical Review were dealt with privately with distinguished Jewish leaders and publicly in the pages of your newspaper, most notably in staff writer Betsy Wright's religion column. Both unfortunate events were causes for opening up interfaith dialogue and shared action between Regent University and the Jewish community. We rejoice that beauty and friendship were born out of those issues. Out of our weaknesses, God worked all things out for the good.
Nevertheless, Ms. Baker seeks to harp on the extremist opinions of a solitary student from three years ago to incriminate Pat Robertson, whom she assumes controls Regent University. She understands neither the inherent academic freedom of a graduate university nor the lack of Mr. Robertson's involvement in the daily life or governance of the university. In fact, even I as the president interact with him less than once or twice a month. He thus knows little of the mischief I am up to, much less what transpires in student publications or is inadvertently placed on the shelves of the library.
Yet, Ms. Baker's misplaced defamation is practiced as well by your newspaper. In an article about Regent University being hosted during Passover by the Anti-Defamation League (and the irrepressibly wise and witty Rabbi Lawrence Forman) for a Seder meal, the paper spent much time noting the absence of Pat Robertson from the event when, in fact, he wasn't even invited. This event was between the ADL and Regent. President Clinton wasn't there either. Neither was Mayor Meyera Oberndorf. Yet the discourteous implication left for readers was that Mr. Robertson snubbed the ADL when the facts point to the reality that he was not even involved.
As a growing, vibrant university that strives to be a positive force for truth, wisdom, peace and justice, we have aggressively sought to strengthen our interfaith fellowship. We Christians must remember and honor our Jewish roots; we need to share our common heritage and to celebrate our common vision to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with our Lord.
This past year has seen a remarkable and blessed growth in our dialogue with our neighbors. In our first American Heritage Lecture series, Rabbi Daniel Lapin gave the inaugural address. Our debate on American culture included Jewish columnists Mona Charen and Don Feder. The director of Interfaith Affairs of the Anti-Defamation League, Rabbi Leon Lenicki, has been a visiting professor at Regent and will co-teach a course titled ``Hebrew and Christian Perspectives on the Gospels'' with Dr. Lyle Story this fall.
Both Regent University and Mr. Robertson are done a disservice by those who would invent straw men, by critics who do not first come to us and get to know us. Yes, we have warts and weeds and we do make mistakes. We are an 18-year-old adolescent university that is sometimes clumsy and awkward, but we are not anti-Semitic. We are learning how to articulate our Christian faith in compelling ways and to make friends.
Ms. Baker concludes her diatribe against Mr. Robertson and Regent with the Hebrew and Christian wisdom that one should ``not judge another until you are in his position.'' We ask that she and anyone else who might be suspicious or hostile visit our campus and find what I believe will be a wonderful surprise. We are a motley, diverse and even jolly company of scholars and learners who seek to love God and our neighbors. MEMO: Mr. Lindvall is president of Regent University.
by CNB