The Online Reflector

The University of Indianapolis has a wide array of spiritual organizations to accommodate many of the diverse religious backgrounds.

Although UIndy is a United Methodist university, numerous religious backgrounds are represented in the student population. Religious diversity on campus is partly due to UIndy’s cultural diversity. Those who immigrate from different countries bring with them their own religion and cultures.

The diversity of religion at UIndy ranges from the Catholic Student Association to IGNITE, which promotes a Oneness Pentecostal worldview.

There is a strong sense of unity among religious organizations and cooperation between interfaith associations.

According to the Ecumenical and Interfaith website, the purpose of the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs is to “nourish opportunities on our campus for spiritual and religious growth and formation for students, faculty and staff.”

Student leaders in organizations such as Campus Crusade for Christ and the Interfaith Forum strive to collaborate with others, even those who are a part of a program that supports a different faith.

“The Interfaith Forum is a student group that creates interfaith relationships through dialogue and service,” said junior Mark Wolfe, chapel steward of Interfaith Programming and president and co-founder of the Interfaith Forum.

According to Wolfe, the chapel stewardship program is a collection of student leaders, who work from the EIP Office, who promote different aspects of Christian and interfaith programming.

The focus of the chapel stewardship program is to foster both ecumenical relationships within the Christian body as well as step across religious barriers to create interfaith relationships.

Wolfe also is a member of Circle K, a university service organization, and is actively involved in praise and worship services on campus. His interest in being involved in religious programs was piqued 10 years ago, right after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. At that time, he realized the differences in people’s faiths can cause division and a need for healing. He was appalled by the vandalizing of a local Sikh temple by Americans who had mistaken its members for extremist Muslims and associated them with the recent terrorist attacks.

However, Wolfe and members of his church, Acton United Methodist, took this opportunity to form interfaith relationships.

“Even though they aren’t Christians, they are still our neighbors and we helped them restore the temple,” he said. “We attended one of their worship services, and they came to one of ours. It taught me to realize that people who are drastically different from me aren’t to be feared or revived. We all share the same call to find a sense of humanity and community.”

Sophomore Amanda Musgrave, chapel steward of compassion, also hopes to be influential and make a difference on campus.

“My goals this year are to get more people involved. I grew so much in my faith and I want to disciple people and help them to grow in their faith,” she said. “This is where I’ve always belonged. I want to create a positive and powerful environment here on campus.”

As the chapel steward of compassion, Musgrave’s responsibility is to introduce students to various social justice issues and give them opportunities to serve.

This month’s event was about sex trafficking, and she invited students to attend to become more educated about the topic and find ways to serve.

Austin Cripps is a chapel steward of justice, Bible study leader and worship band singer. He collaborates with Musgrave to empower students to make an impact and combat global social problems. He recently came into a leadership position in the chapel stewardship program.

“I found somewhere [where] I would best fit and be able to grow and even be influential,” he said.

Because of the reality that different religious groups share distinct perspectives, the EIP Office stands on the fundamental principal of hospitality.

The Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Secular Humanist communities all attend the biweekly Interfaith Forum, in which there are cooperative discussions. All members also complete a monthly service project together.

A great sense of togetherness exists among the various religious organizations on campus. Although all members within the ecumenical programs do not agree on their beliefs and practices, they all agree that they should work together to promote interfaith within their campus community.

“We can’t just ignore people who are of a different faith,” Wolfe said. “It is better to work alongside each other and be friends rather than be in division.”