Finding faith

~ Representatives from various religions gather to discuss their faiths with university students

Ever wonder how Wiccans or Unitarians feel about abortion?

How about the difference between Buddhism and Hinduism?

And what exactly is Huna?

All of those questions will find answers Monday night at Southeast Missouri State University's first World Religion Night.

Representatives of eight religions will participate in the two-hour event, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism, Unitarian and Huna.

"On campus, a lot of students come from small, rural towns and may not have had a chance to experience other faiths," said Thomas Joy, administrator for Cape Grove, Southeast's Pagan student group. "This is a night they can ask questions if they're curious. It's also to clear up any stereotypes."

The idea for World Religion Night came from Joy and the event will be hosted by Cape Grove in conjunction with the Association of Campus Ministries from Southeast.

Joy's group has been meeting since December 2004 and includes participants in Wicca, Druid and Native American spiritualism beliefs.

Joy said religious representatives will first set up at booths Monday night to answer questions about their respective beliefs. That will be followed by a round-robin discussion led by Father J. Friedel, a world religions professor at Southeast.

Joy said the discussion will cover current issues, including abortion, gay marriage and capital punishment. Representatives will explain their religion's beliefs concerning each issue.

Friedel, who is also director of Catholic Campus Ministries at Southeast, said students rarely have an opportunity to see respectful dialogue among various religions.

"The forum should be a great opportunity for participants to observe a variety of viewpoints in conversation with each other," said Friedel.

The public is also invited to attend.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128

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Want to go?

What: World Religions Night

Where: Southeast Missouri State University's university center, third floor

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21