Religious studies club offers outlet for education
Despite what some students may believe, the Religious Studies Club is not in the business of converting. Rather, its purpose is to promote religious tolerance and education.
“The whole point is to learn about religion. We don’t preach religion or teach a specific religion, the idea is to promote understanding and education about other religions,” said Mark Rasmuson, vice president of publicity for the USU Religious Studies Club.
Meetings generally consist of a one-hour presentation given by a student, faculty member or professional who has studied a specific religion, Rasmuson said. During the presentations, club members are welcome to ask questions or make comments about what is being discussed which keeps the mood light, he said.
While the topic of discussion is, for obvious reasons, always religion, the specific religion being discussed varies drastically. In the two years this club has existed, speakers have presented on Buddhism, Judaism, Paganism, Voodoo and many more, Rasumson said. And while all these religions differ in some of their beliefs, Rasmuson said it’s the constant variety that makes the subject to so interesting.
“People would be surprised at how enlightening it is. Our club meetings are very educational. We take them pretty seriously,” he said.
Although this year’s agenda has not been completely laid out, the club’s internal vice president, Tom Evans, said what they do have will be both educational and intriguing.
On Wednesday, Oct. 8, Charles Prebish, who is extensively published in the realm of religious studies, will be presenting on the topic of religion and sports, Evans said.
Then, on Oct. 22, Professor Tom Lachmar, an adherent to the Baha’I faith, will report on the pilgrimage he and his family took to Hiafa, Israel. Baha’I is one of the world’s fastest growing religions; however, Evans said not many people know about it, making Lachmar’s presentation all the more beneficial.
The meeting after that Professor Cooper Rompato, medieval scholar of the English department, will discuss saints and other medieval subjects.
But the club doesn’t just do lectures. Once a semester members go on a pilgrimage, where they visit different religious sites across Utah, Evans said.
“One of the places we’ll be going is the Islamic center in Salt Lake. Also on the docket for that pilgrimage is a stop at the Freemason temple in Salt Lake City. Most likely we’ll be meeting with a group of Mormon Fundamentalists and also on the table is to visit the monastery in Huntsville,” he said.
Being a religious studies major isn’t required to attend club meetings.
Anthropology student Colby Page said the study of different religions has always been an interest to him, which is why he attended the first meeting in early September, at which he was hooked.
“I thought it was enlightening and a lot of fun,” he said. “I didn’t know much about Paganism, which is what was presented that week, and I hope that throughout the year they’ll keep explaining good things.”
But not everyone is open about the subject of religious studies as Page, Evans said. Although the club is a harmless source of good education on the subject of religion, the club tends to get a controversial connotation put with it because of its name.
“This is the first religious studies department in Utah because it’s kind of a hard sell when you have such a religious majority,” he said. “When people hear religious studies they either think its going to be Mormons proselytizing or it’s going to be anti-Mormon, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
And while Mormonism has been a topic of discussion at a past meeting, it is in no way the only topic of discussion, Evans said. The whole point of the club is to introduce different religions and their doctrine, he said.
In fact, many universities across the nation are beginning to adopt religious studies programs, and at the very least, religious studies clubs similar to USU’s said Evans.
“I think (religious studies) is important in this modern world. Whether it’s in business or some other career field, you need to know about other people’s religions,” he said.
The Religious Studies Club meets twice a month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Old Main 201. The next meeting will be Oct. 8.
–greg.boyles@aggiemail.usu.edu