When you see a man wearing a turban across the aisle from you on a plane, what do you think? If all of the ads on the public bus were written in Arabic, how would you respond?

Rethink Bias, a program from the Virginia Interfaith Center, is challenging people to confront their own fears and biases through simple advertisements, such as Arabic signs in public transportation. The program is designed to get people thinking about the way we think. Much like Why Do You Fear Me, the Rethink Bias program is taking steps against fear by encouraging people to get to know one another and engage in a conversation about our differences.

Two commercials put out by Rethink Bias are particularly powerful in their message. They demonstrate some of the thoughts and behaviors many Americans have in regard to Muslims. Rev. C. Douglas Smith, of the Virginia Interfaith Center says, “As soon as people see Arabic, they immediately make an association with terrorism. That’s probably because, since 9/11, not only is fear overwhelming us, but that’s how we’re being trained to think.”

It’s tempting to dismiss biases as “something someone else thinks, but not something I think.” According to the Rethink Bias feedback section, however, not everyone is responding positively to the program. How can we address our own biases and learn to engage others without fear?

Why Do You Fear Me is an opportunity to talk openly about our fears. It is not a guilt trip or a sermon, and it certainly won’t be boring. Join us on January 28th for this free live web event hosted by Gov. David Beasley, Carl Medearis and Ted Dekker, and participate in the unscripted conversation on the Middle East, America, and how Jesus changes everything.