Through religious eyes

Through religious eyes

UCLA teems with religious diversity. Students express their
opinions about religious culture, traditions and beliefs.

By Jennifer Louie

Daily Bruin Contributor

Las Vegas probably isn’t Yasser Aman’s ideal vacation
getaway.

A practicing Muslim and president of the UCLA Muslim Student
Association, Aman wholeheartedly excludes smoking, drinking and
ingesting any other intoxicants from his recreational plans.

But for Aman, it’s all a necessary part of being a Muslim.

"It is not through blind belief (that one is a Muslim), but
through understanding," Aman explained. "(One) must question
(one’s) existence and belief."

At least, according to Aman.

For although belief in a higher power is solid for many, the
means by which one measures devotion is far from clear-cut.

Take Paul Dechant, for instance. As the associate director of
the University Catholic Center, Dechant described the issue of
measuring devotion as "fuzzy."

"If one is born and raised Catholic, the church will consider
one an active," Dechant said. "One is Catholic until one formally
leaves the church."

All it takes is belief in three basic dogmas, Dechant said: the
doctrine of Mary, celibacy and the assumption of Mary, he
explained

But others like Aman measure religious devotion by a less
flexible yardstick.

Aman said true followers of Islam must submit their will to
Allah and follow a specific contract of the Muslim faith, Aman
maintained. Muslims must also believe that Mohammed was the prophet
of Allah.

In addition, Islam upholds five pillars – monotheism, fasting,
giving alms (or money) back to the community, praying five times
daily and embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca, a prominent Middle
Eastern city considered sacred to followers of Islam.

Exceptions are allowed, though. A pilgrimage to Mecca, for
instance, is not obligatory if financial hindrances prevent the
trip.

But for Aman, bestowing alms is a pillar of his faith that no
truly religious Muslim can compromise.

"It is almost incumbent for a Muslim to feel a responsibility to
serve the community," Aman said.

Others, like Nikki Sieger, took the attitude that religion is
entirely personal. A member of the Jewish campus service corps, she
said that what constitutes religious faithfulness varies from
person to person. Judaism simply means carrying on the traditions
of the faith, she said.

"If I don’t keep Kosher and if I don’t miss a day of work to go
to Rosh Hashana, my family’s experience with anti-semitism means
nothing," Sieger explained.

Ritual is an integral part of the Jewish faith, Sieger said.
Being a true Jew means lighting sabbath candles, she explained,
adding that community service also plays a vital role in claiming
the faith of Judaism.

But she did not believe that there is only one way to go about
being a dedicated Jew.

"I don’t think it matters whether you are orthodox. You don’t
have to wear the Star of David," Sieger said. "If Judaism can
answer life’s questions, that’s all that matters."

And Sieger isn’t the only one who takes a more liberal stance
toward Judaism.

"Every Jew is a devoted Jew," claimed Rabbi Mendel Cunin, a
member of the UCLA Chabad House. "Every person has a spiritual
essence."

Like Sieger, Cunin placed great importance on Jewish women
lighting sabbath candles every Friday before sundown. Still, Cunin
said, those who help others are the most faithful to Judaism.

Religious devotion is no more of a black and white issue for
Doug Steding, a fourth-year geology student. For him, personal
beliefs and value systems determine whether or not one is a true
Catholic.

"God is within each of us. If you lead your life in a healthy
and positive manner, that is the best expression of religion,"
Steding said. He added that people must also be true to themselves
and what they believe in.

Although Steding said faithful Catholics must adhere to the
basics of the creed, others said that room for variation and
flexibility exists within the definition of religious
dedication.

Just being close to God makes one a faithful member of the
Coptic Society, said Simon Tanious, a fourth-year molecular biology
student. This includes praying as much as he can and diligently
reading the bible

But that’s just the start. Love for one’s fellow man, the
practice of good works, maintaining a humble personality and
avoiding selfishness are all vital aspects of Tanious’ idea of a
faithful Copt. However, he explained that true Copts are not
restricted to specific parameters.

"It doesn’t matter how imperfect you are, just as long as you
lead a repentant life," Tanious said.

Still others viewed religious devotion in an even broader
sense.

True Christians need only to believe in Jesus Christ and that he
is their savior, said Kristen Crabtree, a third-year geography
student and a self-proclaimed Christian. However, she also
indicated that it is necessary for faithful Christians to
incorporate God into their everyday life.

"If that’s all you need in your life to keep you at peace, then
that’s fine," Crabtree concluded.Comments to
[email protected]