It is hard to believe that just over 10 years ago I began my college education. While working at Safeco Insurance in Redmond, WA — just a few short blocks from Microsoft’s corporate campus — I began taking courses part-time at Bellevue Community College. My first courses were in World History and Political Science. The most important and influential class I took at BCC was Philosophy of Religion. The course was taught by an incredible professor who received either his Masters or PhD (I don’t recall which) in Philosophy at Yale and he helped me recognize my appreciation for both philosophy and the academic study of religion. More importantly, this professor took the time to encourage me in my academic pursuits by helping me work through difficult philosophical questions and providing guidance as I began developing a rational basis for faith (not dogma!).
