Diversity
Decks the Halls Two students and a faculty member embrace their unique religious values.
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BY ALEX D’ALESIO REPORTER
s junior Guthrie Kimball fills in the repetitive PSAT bubbles regarding religious preference, her eyes quickly scroll past Roman Catholic. Her yellow Ticonderoga pencil finds a home in the bubble that aligns with the words “no preference.” Although the soft-spoken, dusty blonde celebrates Christmas like most conventional Catholics by attending Mass with her family, she doesn’t want people to exclusively identify her as Catholic. “I identify with the principles of a religion more so than identifying solely with that religion,” Kimball said. Growing up, Kimball found and nurtured her organic perspective on religion by deciding with her mother that associating with certain principles of a faith defined her beliefs to a greater extent than going to Mass did. “As I got older and started thinking more about religion and God, I started wondering why church was so important when an individual can be just as faithful whether they attend church or not,” Kimball said. However, since she does identify with the principles of Catholicism, Kimball still participates by praying and taking communion. Senior Lena Kincaid, similarly, takes a unique stance on religion. Unlike Kimball, however, Kincaid does not associate holidays, such as Christmas, with a particular religion. “I view holidays as celebrations that are opportunities to cherish and express love towards family and friends,” Kincaid said. “Because of this, during holidays, I try very hard to be respectful of the traditions and beliefs of others.” Although Kincaid attended private, Catholic
schools her entire life, she doesn’t think that she will ever be able to fully participate in organized religion, as she is unwilling to attend Mass regularly. But she enjoys contributing through choir. Since she grew up attending Mass with her Catholic grandparents, Kincaid admits that Catholicism has influenced her life to some extent, imbuing in her the values of service. However, what she believes is most central to religion is the self, an idea stemming from her parents’ encouragement to invest herself in
Club Sponsor April Schendel can relate very well. “I think being the Interfaith [Club] Sponsor has cemented my beliefs,” Schendel said. “It’s made me realize that every faith has a perspective, and I really believe there’s some truth to all of them.” For the majority of her life, though, the upbeat and energetic sponsor did not associate with a specific belief system. However, after the passing of her grandmother, the then 22-yearold began visiting her grandfather about once a week, engaging in deep conversations. Eventually, when the conversation transitioned to the topic of religion, Schendel expressed her belief that religion was unique and distinguished according to every individual person. “Spoken like a true unitarian,” Schendel’s grandfather said. And that marked the end of Schendel’s status of being “nameless.” She adopted the faith of Unitarian Universalism, because its principles, based on the uniqueness of every person, align perfectly with her values. “There is a major emphasis on a personal relationship with God,” Schendel said. “Whether that means you have to pray or read science fiction, however you get to God is the best way to get there, if you even want to [get to God].” Since the belief system is open to secular values, Schendel, though she attends a Methodist church with her mother, focuses on the cultural aspects of holidays rather than the religious ones. The slightest, most trivial thing such as filling in one single bubble could give insight into a world of beliefs. Or the fact that one conversation could give foundation to one’s entire ideology. Diversity decks the halls; it is just everyone’s choice to see it.
“Being the Interfaith Club Sponsor has cemented my beliefs. It’s made me realize that every faith has a perspective, and I really believe there’s some truth to all of them.”
- Spanish teacher April Schendel a faith that reflects her own virtues. Therefore, she describes her beliefs as “introspective” and “common sense-oriented.” “I believe that my goals and morals should be based on my feelings and experiences,” Kincaid said. After reflecting on the impact that going to an interfaith school has had on their lives, both she and Kimball relayed that Sion has instilled in them a unique perspective. It’s allowed them insight into a diversity of faiths, something to which Interfaith
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