Spirituality and Religion: Mutually Exclusive Concepts?
Amy Warner
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Features
Eduardo Verastegui, an actor in Hollywood who is best known for his role in "Bella," is not like most rich and famous residents of Orange County. Instead of the glamour, fame and huge houses, Verastegui is currently in Darfur helping victims of genocide. What most people do not know is that Verastegui visited St. Norbert in May 2008. The reasons he came to SNC were not only to talk about his movie, "Bella," which is a pro-life film, but also to talk about his faith. He wanted to be with people who have the same notions as he does, and he found this at St. Norbert College.
It is amazing to think that a famous actor could come to our campus and find peace. Father James Baraniak, O.Praem. does everything he can to create an atmosphere much like the one Verastegui found for every student here. Yet he finds that most people will say that they are "spiritual but not religious." Baraniak asks, "What does this mean? Why is it always versus? Can't it be both?"
Freedom of religion is the notion that people have the right to choose their own religion (or no religion) with no interference of authority. This is something that America and SNC holds dear. Baraniak believes there is religious freedom here on campus, that no one forces anyone to attend church every Sunday or to be Catholic, but opportunities to express religion are available.
"On campus, about 64 percent of the student body is Catholic, with Protestant following right behind," Baraniak explains. "My role is to make sure we provide ample opportunities to explore and celebrate their religion."
While Baraniak does realize that most of his opportunities to explore religion are through the Roman Catholic religion, it still transcends religiosity. He explains that we have more in common than we do in difference.
"We worship the same Lord, same scripture and start to celebrate what we have in common," Baraniak says.
Art Bell '11 holds many of the same ideals. When he first came to St. Norbert, it was not for the college's Catholic roots. As a Presbyterian, Bell feels that he can express his religion here on campus. When he first came to SNC, Baraniak actually drove him to a Presbyterian Church down the road to make him feel more comfortable at school. Bell says he feels comfortable coming to church on campus even if it is Catholic, and he feels extremely welcome in the church, especially by Baraniak. Bell, who is a religious studies major, also feels welcome in class because, according to him, when speaking about Catholicism the teachers do clarify concepts for students who do not practice Catholicism.
Baraniak wants "our Lutherans to be the best they can be, our Roman Catholics to be the best they can be, and our Episcopalians to be the best they can be." According to him, religious freedom comes in many ways, but the best way for it to be found is in the Church, where people come together and worship.
"Church is so you don't have to do it alone, and that is how spirituality connects religiosity," says Baraniak.
It is amazing to think that a famous actor could come to our campus and find peace. Father James Baraniak, O.Praem. does everything he can to create an atmosphere much like the one Verastegui found for every student here. Yet he finds that most people will say that they are "spiritual but not religious." Baraniak asks, "What does this mean? Why is it always versus? Can't it be both?"
Freedom of religion is the notion that people have the right to choose their own religion (or no religion) with no interference of authority. This is something that America and SNC holds dear. Baraniak believes there is religious freedom here on campus, that no one forces anyone to attend church every Sunday or to be Catholic, but opportunities to express religion are available.
"On campus, about 64 percent of the student body is Catholic, with Protestant following right behind," Baraniak explains. "My role is to make sure we provide ample opportunities to explore and celebrate their religion."
While Baraniak does realize that most of his opportunities to explore religion are through the Roman Catholic religion, it still transcends religiosity. He explains that we have more in common than we do in difference.
"We worship the same Lord, same scripture and start to celebrate what we have in common," Baraniak says.
Art Bell '11 holds many of the same ideals. When he first came to St. Norbert, it was not for the college's Catholic roots. As a Presbyterian, Bell feels that he can express his religion here on campus. When he first came to SNC, Baraniak actually drove him to a Presbyterian Church down the road to make him feel more comfortable at school. Bell says he feels comfortable coming to church on campus even if it is Catholic, and he feels extremely welcome in the church, especially by Baraniak. Bell, who is a religious studies major, also feels welcome in class because, according to him, when speaking about Catholicism the teachers do clarify concepts for students who do not practice Catholicism.
Baraniak wants "our Lutherans to be the best they can be, our Roman Catholics to be the best they can be, and our Episcopalians to be the best they can be." According to him, religious freedom comes in many ways, but the best way for it to be found is in the Church, where people come together and worship.
"Church is so you don't have to do it alone, and that is how spirituality connects religiosity," says Baraniak.
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