Religious forum invites exploration of differing beliefs

Religious forum invites exploration of differing beliefs

Catholic association sponsors discussion of faith,
traditions

By Jennifer Louie

Daily Bruin Contributor

Not even the noise generated by passersby prevented the small
group of students from striving to hear what others had to say.

While many other students were studying for midterms, members of
various denominations gathered to share why they believe in their
respective faiths in an interfaith discussion on Friday.
Participants of the forum, which was sponsored by the Catholic
Student Association, explained to each other the reasons behind
their varying beliefs.

Some students explained that their particular religion’s sense
of social connectedness plays a part in why they believe in it.

"There is a deep sense of tradition and community in Judaism,
even when people come from different backgrounds," explained
Yiftach Levy, a fifth-year psychology student.

Other students agreed connections to others are strong draws of
their religion. Jihad Saleh, a third-year political science
student, said his belief in Islam is partly enhanced by the "social
solidarity, in another form beside ethnic, cultural, etc." that
Islam offers.

Unlike Saleh, Mary Mallavarapu, a fourth-year history and
political science student, said she was not immediately attracted
to her faith. Mallavarapu said initially became involved in
Catholicism as a result of her parents’ influence.

When she came to college, the Catholic community was more
welcoming, Mallavarapu said. Now, she said she chooses to go to
church instead of feeling obligated to do so.

Participants in the discussion touched on what makes each
particular religion appealing.Saleh said he appreciates the
diversity within Islam, a religion that includes peoples ranging
from Egyptians to Bosnians.

Masood Khan, a third-year history student, said Islam’s
relationship with nature appeals to him.

"Islam provides a union of everything in the universe.
Everything in the universe is a symbol of the creator," Khan
said.

Other participants invoked the sense of security they receive
from their respective faiths. Enisha Narang, a fourth-year
psychology student, said what she likes most about Sikhism, a
religion derived from Hinduism and Islam, is that all people are
equal and have the same chance at heaven.

George Gross, president of the Academy for Judaic, Christian,
& Islamic Studies, agreed that his religion gives him spiritual
security.

"My chief comfort in life and death is that I belong, body and
soul, to my savior, Jesus Christ," Gross said.

But Anthony Garcias, a fourth-year philosophy/Latin student,
said that within Christianity, security and challenges go hand in
hand.

"Jesus’ words are like a two-edged sword – comforting for the
afflicted, but also challenging for the complaisant," Garcias
explained.

Others said that adhering to religious rituals and traditions
plays a large part in being a member of certain faiths.

Igor Elkine, a first-year undeclared student, explained that his
Jewish faith entails guidelines, such as how to cut fingernails,
because the Jewish faith is "all-encompassing."

But Elkine said he does not mind following the rituals because
he believes there are divine reasons behind them. Just as children
should abide by their parents, Jews should abide by the religion’s
rituals, Elkine claimed.

"Transcendence will come as you follow the acts," Elkine
explained.

Yiftach added that following some Jewish traditions provides
insight into the reasons behind them.

"The dietary laws make you think how it’s (the restriction)
going to affect your relationship with God," Yiftach said.

Narang, however, said she follows the rituals of Sikhism because
they make her feel more connected to her religion.

Most participants held a common outlook on converting others to
their faith. Many said that their religion does not place a heavy
emphasis on getting others to convert.

"We’re not out to convert people, just to tell them what Islam
is and let them decide (whether they agree)," Khan said.

But Levy presented Judaism’s perspective on conversion with a
de-emphasis. Levy explained that, in Judaism, there is an attitude
of prohibition against conversion to the faith.

"Rabbis are encouraged to discourage those who want to convert
to Judaism until they prove they genuinely want to convert. Then
they must be educated in the faith," Levy said.

Gross helped conclude the discussion by giving a clear-cut
presentation of the Christian perspective. "Christians are called
upon to witness, that’s what it means to be Christian," Gross
explained.

"But conversion," Gross added, "is the work of the Holy Spirit.
And who are we to irrigate the work of the Holy Spirit?"Comments to
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