Reverend Jerry Campbell, president of the Claremont School of Theology, says teaching religion this way will strengthen society.

JERRY CAMPBELL: “If we can’t love our neighbors who are not like us, if we can’t love them being who they are, how can our country hang together?”

Jihad Turk is director of religious affairs for the Islamic Center of Southern California. He says this way of educating religious leaders will send a message.

JIHAD TURK: "It will demonstrate to the world that the United States is not on a war against the Muslim world or the Islamic faith, but that there is great support from private institutions from the public at large and by the government as well that recognizes that Islam and Muslims are on the side of peace."

Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, recently spoke at the university. He says interfaith cooperation is a way to balance extremism.

EBRAHIM RASOOL: “Anyone can step into the breach and claim to be speaking for God, and unless the middle ground is able to establish what is God’s purpose, we will cede more and more ground to the fundamentalists.”

Reverend Campbell says he hopes to bring more religions to Claremont Lincoln, including the Bahai faith. An International School of Jain Studies will offer short-term exchange programs and seminars on Jainism, a religion from India.

Reverend Campbell says the goal is to unite people to promote religion as a source of healing, compassion and peace.