Religious Diversity

Interfaith Club Sponsor April Schendel, junior Guthrie Kimball and senior Lena Kincaid each have distinct religious perspectives, but maintain respect for those different from their own. (Photo by Alex D’Alesio)

Diversity Decks the Halls

Two students and a faculty member embrace their unique religious values.

BY ALEX D’ALESIO REPORTER

As junior Guthrie Kimball fills in the schools her entire life, she doesn’t think that she Club Sponsor April Schendel can relate very well. repetitive PSAT bubbles regarding will ever be able to fully participate in organized “I think being the Interfaith [Club] Sponsor religious preference, her eyes quickly religion, as she is unwilling to attend Mass regularly. has cemented my beliefs,” Schendel said. “It’s made scroll past Roman Catholic. Her yellow But she enjoys contributing through choir. me realize that every faith has a perspective, and I Ticonderoga pencil finds a home in the bubble that Since she grew up attending Mass with really believe there’s some truth to all of them.” aligns with the words “no preference.” her Catholic grandparents, Kincaid admits that For the majority of her life, though, the

Although the soft-spoken, dusty blonde Catholicism has influenced her life to some extent, upbeat and energetic sponsor did not associate celebrates Christmas like most conventional imbuing in her the values of service. with a specific belief system. However, after the Catholics by attending Mass with her family, she However, what she believes is most central passing of her grandmother, the then 22-yeardoesn’t want people to exclusively identify her as to religion is the self, an idea stemming from old began visiting her grandfather about once a Catholic. her parents’ encouragement to invest herself in week, engaging in deep conversations. Eventually,

“I identify with the principles of a religion when the conversation transitioned to the more so than identifying solely with that “Being the Interfaith Club topic of religion, Schendel expressed her belief religion,” Kimball said. that religion was unique and distinguished

Growing up, Kimball found and nurtured Sponsor has cemented my beliefs. according to every individual person. her organic perspective on religion by deciding “Spoken like a true unitarian,” Schendel’s with her mother that associating with certain It’s made me realize that every grandfather said. principles of a faith defined her beliefs to a And that marked the end of Schendel’s greater extent than going to Mass did. faith has a perspective, and I status of being “nameless.” She adopted the

“As I got older and started thinking more faith of Unitarian Universalism, because its about religion and God, I started wondering why church was so important when an really believe there’s some truth principles, based on the uniqueness of every person, align perfectly with her values. individual can be just as faithful whether they attend church or not,” Kimball said. to all of them.” “There is a major emphasis on a personal relationship with God,” Schendel said.

However, since she does identify with - Spanish teacher April Schendel “Whether that means you have to pray or read the principles of Catholicism, Kimball still science fiction, however you get to God is the participates by praying and taking communion. a faith that reflects her own virtues. Therefore, best way to get there, if you even want to [get to

Senior Lena Kincaid, similarly, takes a unique she describes her beliefs as “introspective” and God].” stance on religion. Unlike Kimball, however, “common sense-oriented.” Since the belief system is open to secular Kincaid does not associate holidays, such as “I believe that my goals and morals should be values, Schendel, though she attends a Methodist Christmas, with a particular religion. based on my feelings and experiences,” Kincaid church with her mother, focuses on the cultural

“I view holidays as celebrations that are said. aspects of holidays rather than the religious ones. opportunities to cherish and express love towards After reflecting on the impact that going to an The slightest, most trivial thing such as filling family and friends,” Kincaid said. “Because of this, interfaith school has had on their lives, both she in one single bubble could give insight into a world during holidays, I try very hard to be respectful of and Kimball relayed that Sion has instilled in them of beliefs. Or the fact that one conversation could the traditions and beliefs of others.” a unique perspective. It’s allowed them insight into give foundation to one’s entire ideology. Diversity

Although Kincaid attended private, Catholic a diversity of faiths, something to which Interfaith decks the halls; it is just everyone’s choice to see it.