Staffillustration:TatumHerrin Some Students Struggle With Religious Guilt

by Lizzie Freehill

For religious students at Menlo, certain aspects of high school — party culture, rigorous classes and time-consuming extracurriculars — can impact their relationship with their religion in both positive and negative ways. Sometimes, recreational activities can conflict with established religious viewpoints. Menlo’s emphasis on academics can lead students to prioritize academics and extracurriculars, detracting from the time and energy that they are able to dedicate to their religion.

Junior Kylie Jones, a Presbyterian Christian, finds it challenging to strive for the same goals and ambitions as her peers while also sustaining a consistent dedication to her religion.

“There is that guilt aspect, for sure, but also, these are the choices that I’ve made,” Jones said regarding her prioritization of school over religion. “I don’t need to fill my schedule, that’s not a requirement for being at Menlo, and [I] don’t have to take hard classes because they give the option for regular ones. So all of it has been my choice, and I feel guilty about that because I know it's a personal choice.”

Junior Willis Johnson shares similar sentiments toward balancing religion and a busy schedule. Johnson, who is Mormon, can find it tough to wake up and go to morning seminary classes through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to study the religious scriptures. It can be difficult for Johnson to wake up early to attend seminary when he is tired from schoolwork or football practice. “Some- times it’s hard for you to make the decision to go to church because there’s other stuff you need to attend to, so I think that academics and extracurriculars definitely can take away from religion,” Johnson said.

Last year, when freshman Matthew Franc was in eighth grade, he had Sunday school to prepare for his Confirmation built into his weekend schedule. This year, he finds it difficult to attend church on the weekends when he also wants to get homework done or do other things. “It's just, it's hard to be able to commit to, you know, going to this place at this time for church,” Franc said. However, Franc makes an effort to pray most nights.

Religious ideals can also conflict with the high school culture of partying with alcohol and drugs. Religions such as Islam, Mormonism and Pentecostalism prohibit the consumption of alcohol and other substances. This can cause a dilemma for teenagers who practice these religions and may encounter substance use throughout their time in high school.

Johnson finds that he feels pressure to both remain dedicated to his religion and follow its rules, but there is also the pressure to fit in at school. While Johnson sometimes experiences guilt for going to parties where illicit substances are present, his guilt is often relieved when he repents on Sundays, feeling able to start anew.

Students’ religions, however, can provide them with an outlet in the face of the stresses of busy schedules and expectations. “I feel like when I do go to church, it does relieve some of that stress because it kind of places the value on you just as a reflection of God’s image and a human being rather than just your accomplishments [...] in school and everything,” Jones said. Johnson also appreciates having somewhere to go, someone to trust and the ability to pray when he has a problem or simply needs to talk.

Presbyterianism places less emphasis on restricting certain substances which makes party culture less stressful for Jones. However, having friends of other religions who do not drink or use other substances has made it easier for Jones to make the personal decision not to partake in drug or alcohol consumption.

One part of her religion that Jones does believe may be challenged in the future is its sexual beliefs. “This is probably a bigger issue for some other people because I haven’t really engaged in a serious relationship, but with our sexual beliefs and everything, that’s a huge part,” Jones said. “I haven't gotten to that point yet, but I’m sure it will come and that will be extremely difficult.”