2008 Woodie Awards
Religious Tolerance Meeting
By: Ian Glennie
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Bridgette Wynn knows students have different views about religious tolerance and acceptance.
That's why Wynn, a multicultural adviser in Woldt Hall, organized an open forum Wednesday night at the Fabiano/Emmons/Woldt lobby.
The event allowed students to freely talk and share feelings about religious topics.
"It's not my place to decide what's right or wrong for anyone else," said Jessica Seguin, Holt sophomore. "At least try to understand someone else's point of view. You may never be able to, but at least try."
Wynn said the word "tolerance" implies that someone doesn't like something, but will deal with it.
The Southfield junior prefers using the word "acceptance," which suggests understanding.
Wynn said people have different feelings about religions and the forum provided a place to talk about them.
Throughout the forum, Wynn posed a series of religion-themed questions to more than 10 students.
Issues that Wynn addressed in her questions included the separation of church and state, coexisting with different religions, and religious discrimination.
Waterford senior Kyle Gentges shared his experience of discrimination.
Gentges said he was mistreated by a woman in a video store when he wore a shirt with the image of Jesus on it.
Students who attended the forum said the meeting encouraged more understanding and better attitudes towards people with different religious beliefs.
"I think meetings that promote religious tolerance between cultures are a good idea because it depletes the violent relations religious groups have with each other," said Zach Drake, Petoskey freshman. "The less violence the better."
Drake said using religion as an excuse to commit violent acts is wrong.
"The violent misinterpretation of religion disgusts me," he said.
Wynn said the response from the forum was good and that smaller group conversations are often more beneficial than discussions with larger groups.
"We talked a little bit about everything," she said. "It went quite well."
news@cm-life.com
That's why Wynn, a multicultural adviser in Woldt Hall, organized an open forum Wednesday night at the Fabiano/Emmons/Woldt lobby.
The event allowed students to freely talk and share feelings about religious topics.
"It's not my place to decide what's right or wrong for anyone else," said Jessica Seguin, Holt sophomore. "At least try to understand someone else's point of view. You may never be able to, but at least try."
Wynn said the word "tolerance" implies that someone doesn't like something, but will deal with it.
The Southfield junior prefers using the word "acceptance," which suggests understanding.
Wynn said people have different feelings about religions and the forum provided a place to talk about them.
Throughout the forum, Wynn posed a series of religion-themed questions to more than 10 students.
Issues that Wynn addressed in her questions included the separation of church and state, coexisting with different religions, and religious discrimination.
Waterford senior Kyle Gentges shared his experience of discrimination.
Gentges said he was mistreated by a woman in a video store when he wore a shirt with the image of Jesus on it.
Students who attended the forum said the meeting encouraged more understanding and better attitudes towards people with different religious beliefs.
"I think meetings that promote religious tolerance between cultures are a good idea because it depletes the violent relations religious groups have with each other," said Zach Drake, Petoskey freshman. "The less violence the better."
Drake said using religion as an excuse to commit violent acts is wrong.
"The violent misinterpretation of religion disgusts me," he said.
Wynn said the response from the forum was good and that smaller group conversations are often more beneficial than discussions with larger groups.
"We talked a little bit about everything," she said. "It went quite well."
news@cm-life.com
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