My scanner isn't connected:

"Dr. Holly Roberts: Eliminating Suffering in All the Little Ways She Can" by Jo Schloeder

To most people, living a life of total nonviolence and "nonabundance" sounds unattainable - a lofty goal, perhaps, but just not realistic. To Dr. Holly Roberts, living a simple existence without taking the breath of any living thing has become her life's work.

"I believe in trying to live without killing," she explained. "As they say in Indian beliefs, I try to 'not take the breath of life from any being.'"

Author, lecturer, obstetrician-gynecologist, and theologian Holly Roberts, D.O., Ph.D., '02 was in the Little Theatre on January 23 to discuss the spiritual, philosophical, and theological perspective of Indian religions and philosophies. She was there as part of GCU's Women of Witness series, which celebrates the lives and achievements of women of faith and influence in history and contemporary society. Dr. Roberts, who received her master's degree in theology from Georgian Court before completing a Ph.D. in Asian religion, has authored numerous books. Her latest work about the Analects of Confucius will be released this year.

As the audience sampled vegetarian Indian snacks and listened intently to her fascinating discussion of the tenets of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, one could easily imagine Dr. Roberts sitting cross-legged with the Dalai Lama or breaking bread with Gandhi. It is evident that Dr. Roberts, a lifelong vegetarian, not only studies and teaches the pacifist, "non-accumulation" philosophies of the East - she lives, breathes, and eats them.

"We live in 'nonabundance' ... except for my books," she admitted softly. Dressed modestly in a long-skirted suit with her youthful blonde hair neatly tucked behind her head, Dr. Roberts described how she and her husband share one car, sleep on a futon, and have only a handful of furniture.

"We have made a conscious effort to eliminate the greatest suffering we can in all the little ways we can. It feels good not to buy," she assured.

The lecture moved attendees Andrea Rittenhouse '06 and her husband, Dennis, to action. "We have just agreed to put solar panels on the roof," she said. She added, "I admire Holly because she is someone who has managed to put her money where her mouth is and live the principles she espouses."

Georgian Court University Magazine, Spring 2007, 39.

Her book, Vegetarian Christian Saints.

Our paths crossed in the fall of '01. The class may have been "Gospel of John" with Dr. Schubert. Nine-eleven happened. The Muslim woman did not return. Holly was concerned about Israel being wiped off the map. I had no idea what she was getting at.

Fast forward to the following summer, we took Greek together.

Few others had any foreign language exposure. She did better than the rest at picking it up cold. She brought vegetarian snacks and Indian food each Saturday. I was pregnant with Timothy who arrived a week after class ended. Saturday after Saturday, I ate my turkey sandwich and potato chips and diet soda. She didn't take offense and I wasn't trying to vex her.

We graduated at the same time. I remember her three lovely daughters - she seemed as young as they. I'm happy that she earned her Ph.D. (from where?). There's not much else to say except that she lives entirely by her principles, without any hint of hypocrisy and, eh, forgive me, but solar panels have absolutely nothing to do with what Holly is about. And yet, she wouldn't strike the idea down as I have; she would be encouraging.