Where’s the “Holy” in the Holy Land?
Since I can remember, there’s been a conflict in the Middle East. In fact, the conflict in the Middle East surpasses any of our living memories and is engrained in the beautiful, Middle Eastern culture more than I think we, or even those who live there, will ever understand. The conflict between Israel and Palestine [...]
What I Learned From Elie Wiesel
Every once in a while, maybe even once in a lifetime, someone comes into your life, unexpectedly, and changes it forever. That happened to me in the Fall of 2001. By this time, I had already gone back to school with my ultimate destination being theological school. A friend of mine was already in school [...]
Racism in America as Noted by a Light-Skinned, Mexican-American
Ever been followed in TJ Maxx because you are not white? I have. Ever been told, “You aren’t Mexican, you are too light. You must be Spanish?” I have. Ever have your former in-laws complain about all the “stupid Mexicans” they encounter? I have. Ever have someone tell you, “Well, you are light-skinned, not like [...]
I Am So Much More Than a Statistic
People think that a high school drop out, drops out because they get pregnant, or they use drugs, or they lack intelligence, or they are lazy. The fact is, that kids drop out of high school for various reasons, but mostly, I believe kids drop out of high school because they lack hope. I know [...]
In This Season of Lent, I Know One Thing For Sure – I Will Never Be a Nun
I think I was called a long time ago. When I was ten years old, I remember sitting in the car with my childhood friend Susan and her mom before Mass, and out of the blue I blurted, “I am afraid I am going to be a nun.” Susan’s mom laughed and asked, “Why are [...]
It is in the Abhorrence that I Find Strength
Last week I received a phone call from a random, unkown person. When I picked up the phone, this fellow asked, “Is this Karen Leslie Hernandez?” I happily replied, “Yes, it is,” and he proceeded to say the following (and I am paraphrasing as best I can remember because after the first comment, my mind [...]
Encountering the Beauty of Death in India
In the New Year, I always find myself reflecting on past experiences and if they mean anything to me today. I am coming to the realization that many of life’s experiences that have come my way are just for me; to make me a better person, to help me think differently, and to let me [...]
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
I am not sure if it is the Catholic in me, or the United Methodist in me, or the Mom in me, or the woman in me, but one person I feel does not receive the recognition she deserves at Christmas is, of course, Mary. Also, another aspect of this story that I am fascinated [...]
The Media My Daughter Witnessed – Violent Media Entertainment: A Norm, or Are We Numb? Part III
This is Part III of The Media My Daughter Witnessed series illustrating the effect of the media on my daughter, as well as on humans in general. This piece focuses on violence in entertainment media. One of my biggest complaints when it comes to entertainment media is the violence that immerses the viewer so deeply [...]
The Media My Daughter Witnessed – Last I Looked, I Wasn’t a Bitch – Part II
This is Part II of The Media My Daughter Witnessed series illustrating the effect of the media on my daughter and in this piece, on women in general. I am not a female dog, or any other kind of animal, nor do I want to be considered a monster. I am a woman—flesh and blood, [...]
Karen
I am a Theologian with a focus on Christian-Muslim Understanding, as well as religious fundamentalism and extremism. I write, teach and lecture on Islam, Christian-Muslim relations worldwide (past and present), Jesus in the Qur'an, Al Qaeda, Islamophobia, and theological responses to terrorism. I have a Master of Sacred Theology in Religion and Conflict Transformation from Boston University School of Theology, '11; a Master of Theological Research in Christian-Muslim Understanding from Andover Newton Theological School, '07; and a BA in Peace and Justice Studies with a concentration in Islam from Wellesley College, '05. I've published with the Women's United Nations Report Network, Onislam, The American Muslim, and The Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue. Along with Palestine/Israel, Turkey, and Spain, my experiential/research work includes traveling to and living in India three times looking at Christian-Muslim-Hindu relations, as well as Muslim women's lives in the slums of Mumbai. I also had the privilege to serve on three panels at the Parliament of World Religions in Melbourne, Australia in 2009. From what I can tell, I am the only Theologian that is a woman, a Latina, and a Catholic/United Methodist, doing this type of work in the United States. In my spare time, I spend time with my daughter when she is home from college, practice yoga, read, love the theatre, and run with scissors whenever possible. I am also Associate Director of Communications with State of Formation.
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Contributing Scholars
Jacob KohlhaasI am a PhD student in Systematic Theology at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA); my BA is from Wartburg College (Waverly, IA), and MA is from Catholic Theological Union (Chicago, IL). A Roman Catholic who spent several years employed by Lutherans, my interests are in Ecumenism, Theological Anthropology, and Environmentalism.
Journal of Inter-Religious DialogueThe Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™ is a forum for academic, social, and timely issues affecting religious communities around the world. It is designed to increase the quality and frequency of interchanges between religious groups and their leaders. The Journal seeks to build an inter-religious community of scholars, in which people of different traditions learn from one another and work together for the common good.
Ikhlas SaleemI'm currently a Masters of Theological Studies student at Harvard Divinity School concentrating in women, gender sexuality and religion, specializing in Islamic Studies and graduated from Wellesley College. I enjoy traveling to warm climates, long dinners with friends and riding my bike through Cambridge and Boston.