“I really have a strong faith in my religion and like to share it, but I also like to learn about others,” said senior Jiayo Luo, about Speed Faithing, an event sponsored by the The Office of the Chaplain.
On Monday, Oct. 21, students gathered in the KAV to talk about their own faiths and to listen to others, speed-dating style. Sitting across from one another, students discussed their beliefs in short intervals of time before switching partners. Participants could either ask their own questions, or they could read off a question card that was given to them.
“I really liked this idea. I’m from China and am Buddhist, so students had a lot of questions that they wanted to ask me,” said Luo.
After the round of speed faithing was over, students gathered in groups with “experts” to discuss different religions in more depth. The “experts” included a Buddhist Oso, a Baha’i member, two members of the Unitarian Universalist Church, and a female Christian minister from the UCC church.
…a lot of times, students don’t have answers because they are still searching for their own faith.”
“It was very informative to hear from the different religions because, a lot of times, students don’t have answers because they are still searching for their own faith,” said sophomore Danielle Cockey. “I really have a strong faith in my religion but I liked learning about other ones.”
Amy Shorner-Johnson, assistant Chaplain, hoped this event would get students talking about their beliefs and also provide a way to improve listening skills by simply paying attention to one another’s thoughts.
“I think, for college students, articulating one’s own personal beliefs in a time when things are changing is important … for them to be able to name those things that they actually do believe and hold on to,” said Shorner-Johnson.
The event also gave students a bigger picture of how many different beliefs are represented on campus.
“We are trying to negate bias-related incidents, but also to reach across the board and get people listening … I think the only way we solve problems is by listening to one another,” said Shorner-Johnson.