The continuing Year of Spirit and Spirituality (YSS) will bring a collection of discussions and performances as intuitive and instructional as their predecessors. As the school year progresses, the expectations of students and faculty grow. “I believe the purpose of the program is to broaden as well as deepen students’, facult, and staff’s religious perceptions,” said Jane Redmont, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies. “Having only one of those achievements met will not allow us to meet our goal.”
Redmont also spoke of her desire to invite Rev. Dr. Michael Battle to speak as part of the program. “This is a perfect match for Guilford,” said Redmont. “The religious diversity of the program’s events is essential to gaining a respect for religion itself.”
The second half of YSS will continue the theme of diversity with discussions lead by Arthur Magida, entitled “The Rabbi and the Hit man: Lessons in Arrogance, Faith, and Murder,” Jay Friedel, who will lead a discussion regarding celibacy in the Catholic church, and Kenneth Hull, who will lead a discussion on homosexuality within the Bible.
“I like how the programs will confront some issues that would otherwise be left untouched,” said junior Jessica Zetner. “It shows a want for better understanding.”
Sophomore Cedric Scales found the events influential and instructional. “I like the use of both performance and lecture within the program,” said Scales. “That type of teaching caters to both the visual and audio learners.”
With such progression and effect on students, some professors believe the best is yet to come.
“It has done well, but there is still much to do,” said Redmont. “We need to bring a greater appreciation for learning and listening.”
Shelini Harris, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies, agreed. “Though there is much more open conversation about spirituality, I have not yet seen much that indicates a transformation,” said Harris. “The most important part of spirituality is transforming what you learn into your actions; going beyond conversation.”
Eric Mortensen, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, spoke of a great need to make a connection with the entire campus. “We need to do a better job of reaching out to the scientific part of the campus,” said Mortensen. “The Year of Spirit and Spirituality has made an effort to include everyone on campus, and we need to do a better job of doing so.”
YSS hopes to make such improvements by continuing to provide science-focused discussions in the second semester, such as Mortensen’s Science and Religion series.
“We had three discussions on science last semester that went very well,” said Mortensen, “so we hope to continue that conversation into this semester.”
Mortensen hopes that many of the lessons learned this year will stay on the campus long after the spring of 2006. “I hope that this year will have a lasting effect on people’s notions of spirituality and its effect on the campus.”
“I’d like to see the celebration of the diverse beliefs stay,” said Redmont. “I hope we keep alive the appreciation for the religious diversity of America on Guilford’s campus.”
“I hope to see people taking spirituality more seriously,” said Harris. “I hope they realize that it lasts more than an hour or a year, and that it should last a lifetime.