Western Kentucky University - Talisman Yearbook (Bowling Green, KY)

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24 Religion t’s Sunday morning. Scattered jog- gers trudge up the Hill in search of physical fitness. Some students climb to the third floor of the Down- ing University Center in search of a quiet place to study. Other students scurry to their Hondas or Chevrolets en route to Sunday school, Mass or a late-morning wor- ship service at the church of their choice. At least 24 religions are represented in the student body, according to students’ biographi- cal information listed in their registration pack- ets. More than 4,000 didn’t answer the inquiry, and 868 claimed not to be affiliated with any denomination. Beliefs ranged from Assembly of God to Baptist (with 3,265) to Jehovah’s Witnesses to Quaker. Many students admit that the freedom they’ve experienced at college allowed them to reaffirm, deny or alter their beliefs. Some of them answered questions about how their reli- gious beliefs have been affected and chal- lenged on a campus in what is often described as the buckle on the Bible belt. Luke Matthews, a PK or preacher’s kid, said his parents never pressured or forced him to attend church, but his first year away from home gave him a chance to ponder his beliefs. “‘Nothing’s really changed,”’ the Utica native said. “I was able to find a church here that I liked.” But he visits other churches so he won’t get stuck in a ritual rut. “Church is just not a place to go where the preacher tells you you’re a sinner,” the Baptist said. ‘It’s a place to learn how God can use your life. “Since I’ve been away my relationship to God has gotten better. ““At home I was 50 yards from the church. Here I’m not, but I’m closer to God.” Senior Mimi Ferguson’s attitude and pur- pose in life has changed drastically since she came to Western. She reflects on her freshman and sophomore years when God took a back- tag — David Frank AFTER a re-enactment of the Last Supper at First Baptist Church, Mary Elizabeth Rascoe decides she doesn’t like her father’s makeup job. Bobby Rascoe, university staff mem- ber, played Jesus, and eight other faculty members played roles in the supper. seat to Greek parties and an education for the career-minded feminist. She remembers looking through a fraternity house window next door to a religious center where a group of college students were wor- shiping in prayer and song. She had wondered aloud why that put smiles on their faces. Later, she would spend several evenings a week at the Maranatha Center. “I don’t base my belief in Maranatha, but in Jesus,” she said. “My faith is not in an organization. “T can’t imagine how I ever lived without the Lord,” the blonde said. ‘‘Christ is not a crutch. Being a Christian allows me to be real and not a hypocrite.” According to the computer center, there are 11 Jews at Western, quite a minority out of 13,024 students. They are at least 50 miles from a synagogue, and several of them don’t have cars. That, however, is not a stumbling block in their faith. Martin Ostrofsky, a folk studies graduate student, said he is ‘‘a middle of the road Jew,” a cross between a Jew and a Catholic. “Tm not non-religious, but I didn’t go to synagogue when I was at home where there were many,” the Brooklyn, N.Y., native said. “Tf there is one God, I can pray for him in a Protestant or Catholic church.” Debra Klompus, another Jewish student, said the lack of a local synagogue isn’t a prob- lem. “When we were young we learned that a good Jew follows God and his commandments in his heart.” But respect for her religion is almost non- existent here, the Madisonville native said. “They react like I have a disease,” she said. “But some are really interested and ask ques- tions about our holidays or what I think about Jesus Christ. “Jews have red blood just like everyone else. We have the same insides. This just comes from an ignorance of Jewish belief. Jews are not looking for pity. We just want to accept them and have them accept us.” International students also represent sundry beliefs, several unique to southern Kentucky. But many of them are at home in the Bible belt because they are Christian, Raymond Lui, in- ternational student adviser, said. “The Moslems from the Middle East have the most problems,” Lui said. ““Some of them drive to Louisville or Nashville for worship. “The Spanish-speaking students are Catho- lic so they have no problems finding a Catholic church in Bowling Green,” Lui said. “The Iran- ians have their own religious rituals at some- one’s home.” Finally, a common belief is that of atheists, who worship no God. But their belief, too, is a religion; it’s just different. A student and university staff member who asked not to be identified, said his atheism evolved after he came to Western. “I was raised a Catholic and for four years went to church six days a week. I eventually stopped going and moved toward not believing in God. “T don’t know the reason,”’ he continued. “T’m interested in astronomy and science and | think that helped me make my decision. | just can’t accept the beginning (creation) doctrines of Christians. I can accept the teaching of Christ and his philosophy.” But he doesn’t advertise his religious beliefs. “It makes people nervous and it tends to make them think I’m not moral or I don’t have ethical values. Some start to feel sorry for me. “But I believe it’s wrong to hurt someone or steal,’’ he said. “I agree with most of the teach- ing in the Bible even, but I believe in a religion of Man. I don’t believe in God.” — Connie Holman [| HASH BROWNS and bacon, lettuce and tomato sand- wiches are lunch for students Bill Rector and Laura Mat- tingly at the Wesley Foundation. The foundation offers lunch every weekday for $1. Cooks and helpers are stu- dents who volunteer their time. — Mark Tucker

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Louisville, said she drives home every other weekend. Some students have given up suitcasing to enjoy the “good life’? on campus. Linda Karnes, a Columbia freshman, is a former suitcaser. She said that every Friday, she would pack up and head down the Cumberland Parkway to Columbia. “I would go home to see my friends,” she said. “I would go to Lindsey (Lindsey Wilson College) ballgames and to the Jaycees’ disco dances. “‘But then I made more new friends down here and | only go home once every three or four weeks now,’ Miss Karnes said. “There are about six of us that get together at their apartments,’’ she said. “We have parties, cook supper, watch TV and play cards.” Jennifer Sanders is another former suitcaser. The Elizabethtown sophomore said she has been home “‘only three times this semester.” “T used to go home every weekend,” she said. ‘‘But I stopped because | became a little sister for Pi Kappa Alpha.” Miss Sanders said she suitcased ‘‘because I didn’t have anything to do here. There | could go out with friends.” There are also students who consider themselves permanent suitcasers. They call themselves commuters. Budgeting their time to include traveling is one problem experienced by commuters. Robert Carter, a Glasgow freshman, said he has to leave home before 8 a.m. although his first class is not until 9:10. He said he makes the trip ‘nine days every two weeks — I usually have every other Friday off.” Carter rides from Glasgow with two friends, Terry and Jerry Hatchett, who are also students. Carter said he helps pay for the gas “because I would feel guilty if | didn’t. They didn’t want me to at first.” Carter said he commutes because ‘“‘when | started school | had a job on a newspaper in Glasgow and | had to get back over there at night.” The biggest problem, he said, is having to stay late on campus for field trips and assignments for photography class. He said he usually gets home by 2 p.m. In his freshman year, Chuck Powell of Franklin has commuted, lived in an off- campus apartment and moved into a dorm. Powell said he used to commute every day, but then he decided to get an apartment so he would have more privacy and ‘‘to get out of Franklin.” Powell moved into Pearce-Ford Tower for the spring semester. “I could save money and | was tired of getting up early and driving. “Parking places were a very big reason for my decision. It was just a big hassle having to hunt for one every day.” Powell said he now feels “more like a part of the campus.” He said he has joined several clubs and ‘‘now I don’t have to keep going back and forth to meetings.” Powell said he goes home ‘“‘very sporadically. It might be three times a week or once a month.” He said Western is definitely a place for suitcasers. — Margaret Shirley [|

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A fountain of faiths MARANATHA members say they live for one thing: to serve Jesus. Donna Clark raises her hand in praise during: one of the Maranatha meetings. Bere PERS anny — Scott Robinson