When the word interfaith enters a conversation, it may lead to confusion. However, the Religious Life Community (RLC) has an interfaith club called SC, or Simpson Interfaith, which encourages religious conversations and builds a community that recognizes and appreciates religious differences. Interfaith is building more than just a community, though, as they planned an impressive Campus Day project.
To provoke reflection, this year’s Interfaith Club Campus Day project involves building a walking labyrinth in the Sunken Garden, outside the Smith Chapel by the Music Center. While meditation is used across several religions, it also helps others to relax and enjoy nature.
The project is part of a national BRAID Fellowship through Interfaith America, for which Em Irlmeier has been selected. She and Bailey, along with several others, have helped plan this project, and the journey will eventually be a beautiful location on campus with signs, plants and statues.
Junior Em Irlmeier explained that the interfaith club works as more than just a multifaith coexistence, but as an organization for reaching across groups and lines of disagreement to find shared humanity.
The core of interfaith is about enlightening students about the worldviews of the people they work with, study with and live alongside.
However, Simpson’s interfaith program, like many others, faces challenges regarding recognition and understanding. This club is not meant to convert or persuade anyone to adopt a belief, nor is it meant specifically for religious individuals or for simplifying all religions into one. Instead, it provides a space where differences are acknowledged, respected and explored.
Chaplain and advisor for RLC, Mara Bailey, explained this more in depth.
“Interfaith is for everybody, including Christians, atheists, agnostics and students who aren’t sure what they believe,” she said.
Both Irlmeier and Bailey stressed how exploring beliefs that aren’t your own is not disrespectful, but is encouraged. Sharing traditions and practices without pressure is the Interfaith purpose.
Simpson’s interfaith program is consistently involved, from being involved in discussions to hands-on cultural activities. Students can attend an event, eat some good snacks, actively participate, build bonds with others and learn all at once.
For example, in the past month, to celebrate Ramadan, the program held a paper lantern-making night. Students learned about Ramadan, Eid and Islamic symbolism while creating paper lanterns based on a tutorial led by a Muslim.
Simpson Interfaith also coordinates site visits to local religious communities, where students can gain real-world experience. Off-campus partners enjoy hosting Simpson students or even traveling to Simpson to teach on campus.
Interfaith leaders are open and invite suggestions or religious requirements to be directly messaged via Instagram. The program wants students to know they’re appreciated and welcome, whether they’re religious or simply curious.
