My Business Guide

Update on the Interfaith Room

Date 11/5/1998 12:00 AM | Topic: News

Though the interfaith room was approved last spring, it is still not available for use.

The interfaith room will be located in Larsen, adjacent to the multi-cultural center, and the goal is to have it done in December.

Originally, the plan was to get the space ready over the summer, but due to over-crowding the project took a back seat, said Ann Highum, vice-president and dean of student life.

"We're not going to rush it," said Highum. "I'm more concerned about having the right kind of procedures to make it work and hearing the students who will be using it so we can accommodate their needs."

A committee including Highum, Gereon Kopf, a professor of religion who works with Buddhist students, Michael Blair, campus pastor, and students Jennifer Hanson ('99) and Sarah Tofte ('99) will pull together some ideas from last year's conversations, Highum said.

The purpose of the interfaith room as stated in President Baker's memorandum approving the interfaith room last May was to "...facilitate fellowship among those of different religions" by encouraging dialogue and to provide " a place for people of like faith traditions to gather."

A draft outline of the room's purpose has been finalized, and on Nov. 12 the committee will meet with international students to discuss development of the room.

Students of different faiths will be given an opportunity to review the draft, Highum said.

"You can't open up a room like this without conferring with the students who would be using it," said Highum.

Part of the room's objective is also to encourage dialogue among students of different religions.

"The fact that we will have an interfaith room will be a catalyst for dialogue that will take place anywhere on campus," said Highum. "Campus ministry and the religion department are planning to offer opportunities to schedule formal dialogue, but the reality of the room is that it can only accommodate eight to ten people," Highum said.

The interfaith room will be available for use by reservation. If the interfaith room is not being used, it is open to any student who would like to use the space, Highum said.

Although the proposal was passed by the representative bodies on campus, approximately 250 students signed a petition against the interfaith room, Highum said. The petition stated an interfaith room is "inconsistent with a 'commitment to the Triune God' as stated in the mission statement" and is "inconsistent with the core definition of Christianity." It also stated that an interfaith room "encourages idolatry: a sin by the first commandment" and "does not show Christian hospitality."

"One philosophical question brought up with the controversy was whether it was more hospitable and loving to accommodate non-Christians or to show them the only way to salvation outlined in scripture. Christ talks about the path to salvation being narrow," said Kari Todnem ('99), a Christian against the interfaith room.

"If it is Luther's intent to be exclusively Christian, then it should reconsider admitting non-Christians," said Dimple Kapoor ('99), a Hindu in favor of the interfaith room. "Luther boasts of a diverse student body. Some people have said to me that, if you come to Luther, you should accept the Christian faith. It seems that, if Luther brings in a diverse group of students and expects them to assimilate to the majority, they are defeating the purpose of a liberal arts education," said Kapoor.

"I hope that all Christian students feel prepared to go to a predominantly non-Christian country and be treated in the way they are treating non-Christian students," Kapoor said.

Todnem said she would not need a place to worship while visiting a predominantly non-Christian country because, "in Christianity, you don't need a church to pray. That's the exciting part about having a personal relationship with Christ."

"Non-Christian students feel that Luther is their home. One reason we want an interfaith room is because we want to be accepted in every aspect of who we are. If people don't respect other people's cultures and religious affiliation or at least try to understand them, an interfaith room has no purpose," said Kapoor.

Since the proposal of an interfaith room passed, Todnem said she will accept it as God's will.

"He has a plan for this campus," Todnem said. "I am confident that God will use this for good. That's what faith is."

--

Jenny Welp
Chips Staff Writer

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]