Faith adds to college years

By Melissa Grammer · The Johns Hopkins News-Letter · October 20, 2005

Growing up, most people are exposed to religion in some way, shape or form -- at tending church, putting up a tree at Christmas, becoming bar or bat mitzvah, fasting on Ramadan or just watching the Pope on TV.

No matter what the level of exposure or observance, almost everyone adopts some sense of religious identity, be it with a specific sect, denomination or even a declaration that they lack religious belief. However, upon reaching the college years,we leave behind pir homes and all the responsibility associated with maintaining the level of observance, spirituality and consistency with which we were raised. This in turn forces us to establish our own religious identity.

Upon arriving on campus and attempting to establish an identity, students are shocked by the reality that they don't have a babysitter. No one is taking attendance at services, and their parents won't ever know, or in many cases care, if they are religious at all.

Diversity at Hopkins extends to religion

By Liza Wehrly

The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

Hopkins students identify with a wide distribution of religious denominations. From Zoroastrian to Roman Catholic to agnostic, Hopkins is rich in religious diversity.

Within the 2005-2008 sample class, a poll of the distribution of Hopkins undergraduates by faith group -- where 2,915 students out of 4,055 registered are represented -- shows students identifying with one of over 40 different faith-based groups.

While there are groups that show larger representation than others -- of the polled student body 30.09 percent were Roman Catholic and 13.65 percent were Jewish -- the spread of the many religions represented, such as 7.31 percent Presbyterian USA, 2.02 percent Buddhist, and 6.07 percent Hindu, is a testament to Hopkins' diverse student body.

Several on-campus organizations and individuals, including the Interfaith Council, Campus Ministries, Campus Ministries Advisory Board and the University Chaplin, strive to celebrate Hopkins' religious diversity through education, sponsorship of programs and the creation of a community of religious understanding.

The Interfaith Council is made up of undergraduate Hopkins students of different religious affiliations who work in conjunction with the Interfaith Center and Campus Ministries. The group serves, according to its mission statement, "to sponsor and work towards establishing a cooperative community spirit among religious groups on the Hopkins campus and to dispel the myths and misunderstandings others may hold about various religions, faiths and belief systems."

The Campus Ministries are composed of religious leaders associated with Johns Hopkins University and the Campus Ministries Advisory board. Facilitating religious services in their respective faith, the ministries also work together, like the Interfaith Council, to promote the strength of a religious community at Hopkins.

A clear goal of the Interfaith Center is to establish awareness of religious diversity in the Hopkins community and beyond. The programming of the Interfaith Center reflects this goal. Biannually, the Interfaith Council hosts the Open Your Eyes banquet, which features a mix of several religious groups that are chosen to present their religious traditions.

Another annual program sponsored by the Interfaith Council, Campus Ministries, and student representatives from Hopkins religious organizations, is "Open Hands Open Hearts: Exploring Faith Traditions." This initiative will feature a series of programs to discuss topics of religion and faith.

In addition, Hopkins students have numerous avenues available to them to become involved religiously on campus, including attending one of the over 20 services conducted by Campus Ministries or joining one of the many religiously affiliated student groups.

Students themselves entertain varying perceptions of religious diversity on campus.

"I feel like there is no dominant religious presence on campus," said sophomore Cara Merriman. "And, if anything, there is more of a presence from the 'minority' religions such as Buddhism and others."

Sophomore Carleigh Connelly said, "I feel like Hopkins has a pretty diverse student body, and I think that maybe there is a religious social culture that accompanies some of these religious groups. For example, Hillel is really big on campus. Even non-Jewish people go to Hillel because it's fun. Overall, I've met a surprising number of religious students, but I wouldn't describe the student body as highly religious."

By Leah Bourne

The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

Don't fear that your religion has to go to the wayside just because you are in college. No matter what your religious denomination, there are more than enough options to be religiously active and become a part of the religious community at Hopkins.

Moreover, with all of the religious denominations represented at Hopkins, there are more than enough opportunities to learn about other faiths.

The Bunting-Meyerhoff Interfaith Center is at the epicenter of Hopkins religious life. It is the main base of campus ministries and a gathering place for over 20 religious organizations including Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Catholic student groups.

The space serves as a religious meeting space and as a place to discuss faith and diversity. On any day of the week you might find Buddhist meditation, Bible study or a guest speaker of religious significance.

So many religions are represented at Hopkins that it is really just a matter of finding the right organizations to fit your needs. The Johns Hopkins chapter of Hillel, centered in the Smokler Center, is the first Hillel building in Maryland. Hillel offers everything from Shabbat dinners to volunteer opportunities to guest speakers.

The Hindu student council aims to create a community for Hindu students and to foster an understanding of the religion for the community at large. The group has Geeta reading sessions, temple trips and discussions, all of which are open to everyone. One of the group's biggest contributions to campus life comes annually during the Diwali Dhamaaka festival, or the "festival of lights."

In years past, the group has transformed the Rec Center, covering its steps with candals, and filling its interior with lights, creating a very special feel for the big event.

There is always lots of Indian food, traditional Indian song, and various dance groups, including JOSH, participate in the extravaganza. And it isn't just an event for Hindu students, as hundreds of students, parents and faculty enjoy this event each year.

The Johns Hopkins Muslim Association is both a religious and cultural organization. October is the month of Ramadan, and the group has numerous events planned. The group also recently co-sponsored a Kosher Chinese Iftar with Hillel in order to foster a dialogue between the two groups.

The Catholic Community at Johns Hopkins, the Catholic student group, also has myriad options for students with a background in Catholicism. The group not only sponsors Bible study and Mass but also has a number of more social options for students to mix and mingle with Catholic students at Hopkins and in the surrounding area.

The group is going on a trip to Gettysburg with Towson University and is working on a series of theology discussion throughout the fall.

If you are more interested in music in relation to religion there has been an explosion of musical groups on campus doing just that. Ketzev is a Jewish a cappella group that sings in Hebrew, Yiddish and English. There is also a Christian a cappella group, Adoremus, and a gospel choir.

One of the benefits of having such a religiously diverse university are the many opportunities to learn about other religions and cultures.

"Open Hands, Open Hearts," which takes place in late February, aims to raise awareness about religious faiths as well as to discuss the issues that are facing religion today.

Events during last year's "Open Hands, Open Hearts" series included a discussion of religion in the media with a writer from the Washington Post and an evening that explored the matrimonial customs of those in various religions.

Whatever your religion or sect, there is most likely a place to explore your faith in this community. It is just a matter of getting involved in a way that makes you feel comfortable.

Students find ways to worship

matt hansen/news-letter

Hillel's newly built Smokler Center is located on N. Charles Street.

michael schump/News-Letter

Sophomore Ruchi Pardikar dances at the 2004 Diwali Dhuamaaka Festival of the Lightsin the Rec. Center.

Dominique lieu/news-letter

The Bunting-Meyerhoff Interfaith Center is a sanctuary for services.

They are now presented with three home, increase their level of involvement and reach new levels of spirituality and observance or discontinue all previous practices and cut religion almost completely out of their lives.

At Hopkins, those who choose to continue their religious life as if at home fall comfortably into the minority. These individuals, much like myself, attend services almost every week, observe all holidays to the best of their ability and make a point to disconnect themselves for just long enough each week to feel part of something larger than life.

In my own experience, classes, the swim team, internships, extracurricular activities, Greek life, parties and cheering at sporting events just isn't enough. I am not saying that I am burdened with too much free time, because that couldn't be farther from the truth; but, the activities are all just fillers, none truly fulfilling.

For me, that is where religion comes in. It is my opportunity to feel connected, not to ResNet or to the seat of my chair on C-level but to something greater, to a worldwide community and ancient tradition.

Being Jewish, I am already part of a universal minority, but on this campus, that minority is a thriving one. This fall, the rabbi at my home congregation made a point to say that it's easy to be a Jew, but it's much harder to be Jewish. I make a point to find time not every day, but just once a week, to do something actively Jewish.

Those who choose to become more actively religious during college are few and far between. It is seldom that individuals are willing to make the effort to learn something aside from the mechanisms of organic chemistry, and in turn augment their existence in this world. But still, some students find that religion is something worth making time for, planning not only for their political careers but their reservations for eternity as well.

Those who choose to dismiss religion entirely use the reasoning skills that helped them to get into Hopkins to draw the conclusion that sleeping off a hangover or slipping down to the Inner Harbor for dinner is a much more efficient use of time than standing in a room full of people they don't know and mindlessly going through the motions of prayer. Religion slowly slips from the front burner to the back, and one's own observance begins to deteriorate.

However, many of these students find other, seemingly more meaningful ways to get involved. Instead of attending church each week, they make time for Hopkins Christian Athletes meetings or a Bible study group that meets on Tuesdays. Or maybe they aren't interested in sitting through Shabbat services each week, but instead meet up for the delicious dinner at Hillel that follows. It might also be true that these students can't find time to pray five times a day but instead become active leaders in the Muslim Student Association (MSA).

Thus, like all things, religion just might not be someone's forte, whereas for others, spirituality plays a daily role in their campus lives.

The most important thing for students is that they not be afraid to find the level of observance most comfortable for them. They should experiment with different community centers of worship, consult with the University Chaplain at the Interfaith Center for guidance or even go so far as to try a different religion all together. Whatever it may be, it is my belief that it is to each their own. One can only find peace of mind in the religious identity of one's own making. And in my tradition, I sign off with L'Shana Tovah -- may you have a sweet, happy and healthy year.