Religious Scholar

A few years ago, I taught World Religions to a large class at Rider University. The first in-class assignment was for students to write a short description of their religious backgrounds and what they believed or were interested in (from a spiritual perspective) at the moment. As the class unfolded over the next 14 weeks, I took into consideration their families’ belief systems and their own interests and quests as material on world religions was presented.

During the semester, it became clear that many—perhaps even most—of the students viewed the variety of world religions as a kind of spiritual smorgasbord. As guest lecturers appeared, some of the students would be persuaded to take a new look at, say, Conservative Judaism or would eagerly line up for a free copy of the Qu’ran. During presentations on religions that were not mainstream, a student might speak warmly of Paganism one week and mystical Christianity the next.

When students described their own journeys, elements of Zen and New Age were fluidly mixed with the “faith of their fathers” and new ideas raised in class drew an appreciative “Aha!” Old prejudices fell by the wayside, and we did not employ judgmental words like “cult,” although we had a presentation on the dangers of mind control and I did admonish them to practice “safe sects.”  :-) There was an eagerness and electricity in this class that I had not encountered before in teaching.

While some of the students professed an unshakeable faith in one religion, most were like kids in a candy shop, inspired by ideas and practices they were comfortable incorporating into their own evolving spiritual paths. The important lessons were exposure and openness to new ideas, but also intellectual rigor in assessing their merits and discrimination in distinguishing between the valid and the vapid. At the end of the class, students of all backgrounds expressed their delight in the opportunity to explore other religions in a safe, supportive environment. It was OK to have a single, unchanging faith, but change and diversity were appropriate elements for those whose spiritual journey would take many twists and turns in uncharted waters.

Whether we adhere to what we believe is One True Way or are the spiritual equivalent of Indiana Jones willing to risk desert wastelands and spider pits in our quest for an authentic experience of Truth, there is value in studying the world’s spiritual traditions with an open mind and loving heart. The experience will not shake the convictions of those whose minds are filled with certainty, and will open doors to understanding and spiritual renewal for those who are still finding their way. –Linda Brown Holt