2008 Woodie Awards
Religion in the Face of Science
Changing or Affirming Religion at College is a Choice Most Make
By Lily Giddings
4/11/07 - Features
College students are fully submersed in a lifestyle that differs greatly from that in which they grew up. They depart from the schedule and environment to which they are accustomed: they eat different food, meet different people, and do different things at college than when they are home. Frequently, one of the life changes is religion.
Students who are suddenly released from their parents' expectations are likely to forget about religion. They "lose" their religion. Other students come to college and find religion. The Colorado School of Mines has examples of each type of student, as well as a variety of religious organizations on campus.
Rick Thomas, a freshman, is one of the former. He is a "reformed Jew" who does not see Judaism as a religion, but more of a culture. He finds it hard to maintain Jewish practices at college, where the cafeteria is hard pressed to accommodate the special diet required by Passover. Rick says, "It's a pain in the ass, living in the dorms. Not only the food, but some people don't seem very accepting of Jews. I wish they would just get over it."
At home he is a practicing Jew, at school he attends a Christian bible study, just to learn. "It's interesting to hear the stories that come after the Torah. We can learn a lot about the tension between Christians and Jews from the New Testament." To Rick, religion is a way to deal with daily problems, as well as maintain a connection to his ancestors. But Rick also claims to be an atheist. "I don't want to be told what to believe. I want to figure out what I believe myself." College is a great place to figure out your beliefs for yourself.
Ryan Rowlette is a self described non-Christian Jesus follower, and a bible study leader with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. He has worked with college students for 8 years, so he gets to see the religious side of college life. "I think that religion is the lamest thing in the world. People are going to opt out of it if they get the choice." Instead of religion, Ryan feels that college students really just need a way to get to know Jesus. They don't need a structured hymns, prayers and sermon church environment; they need a place to explore their faith.
Students who are suddenly released from their parents' expectations are likely to forget about religion. They "lose" their religion. Other students come to college and find religion. The Colorado School of Mines has examples of each type of student, as well as a variety of religious organizations on campus.
Rick Thomas, a freshman, is one of the former. He is a "reformed Jew" who does not see Judaism as a religion, but more of a culture. He finds it hard to maintain Jewish practices at college, where the cafeteria is hard pressed to accommodate the special diet required by Passover. Rick says, "It's a pain in the ass, living in the dorms. Not only the food, but some people don't seem very accepting of Jews. I wish they would just get over it."
At home he is a practicing Jew, at school he attends a Christian bible study, just to learn. "It's interesting to hear the stories that come after the Torah. We can learn a lot about the tension between Christians and Jews from the New Testament." To Rick, religion is a way to deal with daily problems, as well as maintain a connection to his ancestors. But Rick also claims to be an atheist. "I don't want to be told what to believe. I want to figure out what I believe myself." College is a great place to figure out your beliefs for yourself.
Ryan Rowlette is a self described non-Christian Jesus follower, and a bible study leader with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. He has worked with college students for 8 years, so he gets to see the religious side of college life. "I think that religion is the lamest thing in the world. People are going to opt out of it if they get the choice." Instead of religion, Ryan feels that college students really just need a way to get to know Jesus. They don't need a structured hymns, prayers and sermon church environment; they need a place to explore their faith.
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