Professor of Religion and Asian Studies Dr. Jeffery Long ran an event this weekend titled, “Navigating World Views.” The purpose was to discuss whether or not religion and science could work together to save our endangered planet. Elizabethtown College brought in several experts as well as students studying religion on campus to speak.
The student panel, comprised of four students from varying religious backgrounds, mainly spoke about how religion affects them throughout their daily lives. They also discussed experiences with religion on campus and programs offered by the College. Some of the students are members of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, which they said helps them gain a better understanding of how different faiths connect with each other and how to help the community through religion.
A few of the students also talked about service and study abroad trips they took through programs at Etown. One of the students, who went to India, spoke about how different it is to be thrown into a community that does not practice the same faith as you. Despite the religious differences, she got along well with the community. Her message was that all people can live together in peace and harmony by simply respecting each others’ faiths and differences.
Another student studied abroad in Ireland. She talked about her experiences learning about the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the 70s, 80s and 90s and the differences between Catholics and Protestants. She explained the importance of understanding how one’s beliefs are opposite from others. Knowing this is a vital part in being able to live together peacefully on Earth.
Throughout the students’ study of religion at the College, they have learned that areas with people of many faiths are important in our changing society. There is a need for communities that understand each other and get along without worrying about what someone else thinks. They agreed that the College should be pushing harder to facilitate more religious diversity. They also thought that while the campus is quite diverse, the majority of the students here are white Christians. One student discussed a problem with some white Christian students. She felt some think of their faith as the only American way. She and Long talked about an incident in one of their classes, in which a student complained to Long about his teachings of diversity being anti-American. They all concurred that it is important to talk about these problems because they prevent society from progressing.
The students encouraged questions from the audience as they finished explaining their history with religious studies. One member of the audience wanted to know if they thought it was difficult for them to engage with students who do not identify with a religion. The general consensus was that it is actually easier; most students who hold atheistic views tend to be quite accepting of these other religions. They also agreed that a lot more of these types of students are coming to Etown, which has cause an increase in diversity on campus. They hope these students feel welcomed into the community and not judged because of their beliefs.
The students next discussed topics that both they and the audience did not think receive enough attention. They mentioned the second part of the event: climate change. Since climate change is such an important topic in today’s world, they feel students do not talk about it enough. It is something that everyone is aware of, but people tend to ignore. Members of the audience also agreed the Islam is a topic not discussed enough. Long weighed in on this discussion, explaining that it is a sensitive subject at the moment. Most people do not want to know too much about it, but a lot more information is becoming available through the media.
The speakers made it clear throughout the panel that religion is a topic people should be able to share with whomever they want. It is the job of those learning about the different faiths to decide what they truly believe. However, no matter what faith, or faiths, are important in an individual’s life, everyone must pull together as members of Earth and work to make sure the planet is not destroyed.