It would not be until another couple years before I would...

It would not be until another couple years before I would experience non-Christian religious expression. Beyond the Chosen People Vision Unsatisfied with the lack of religious diversity, I left Rock Hill, SC for the University of South Carolina in the states capital of Columbia (metro population: half-million). I thought, Surely I can find other religions in a city this size. Once again, I majored in religion.

While in Columbia for the remainder of my undergraduate degree, I became extremely interested in Judaism, but not on a spiritual level, but rather, on an academic level. I was attracted to the Hebrew language. I took more than 4 years of a combined Bible and Modern Hebrew course and excelled at reading the original scriptures and reading Jewish prayers.

In fact, because one of my professors was a local rabbi, I even taught 6-grade Hebrew school for a term (to this day, a decade later, I can still read the Hebrew texts). I was very involved with Judaism in Columbia, SC, but much like Christianity, its fundamental beliefs seemed empty to me. Inside, I asked questions like, If the Jews are considered Gods chosen people where does that leave me? While at the University of South Carolina, I was exposed to a glimpse of Islam.

I took a class entitled Islamic Institutions and Traditions. It was taught by a non-Muslim who had taught university in Egypt, so he seemed to be an authority on Islam but the class did little for me other than provide a good textbook background for me. Half the class consisted of Muslims, so I think the class integrity was kept in check. Half way through the class, I did visit the local mosque and witnessed salah (prayer) for the first time.

Although I didnt understand what seemed like an impersonal approach to prayer and worship I was impressed by Islams simplicity and humbleness (e.g. prostrating before almighty Allah) in prayer and worship. My brief encounter with Islam, both in a college class and my visit to a mosque, planted a seed that would grow for the next ten years. After my undergraduate studies, I went out into the workforce. For the next 5 years, I withdrew from religion and became what I considered to be agnostic.

I knew there was one God, however, I didnt know a lot about Him. For me, Christianity and Judaism did not address the issue of the proper worship of one God. My professional positions took me all across the United States where I finally settled in Fort Collins, Colorado.