by Yanichka Ariunbold, assistant editor
Every Tuesday after school in English teacher Michael Williams’ room, the members of Interfaith gather to discuss world religions, philosophy and politics alike.
Although the club is known by name for its discussion of general religious beliefs, Interfaith vice-president senior Marley Hays calls Interfaith “as much about faith as it is about interpreting current events.”
“[My favorite part about the club] is the opportunity to hear other perspectives about the issues that we all care about,” Hays said.
Interfaith secretary senior Max Russo agrees, attributing the club’s expanding area of discussion to shifting focus and changing times.
“We don’t specialize on any one issue. In its formation, Interfaith did focus solely on religion, but now it’s evolved to a broader, thought-based club,” Russo said. “It’s opened my mind to new positions that I hadn’t considered before on different topics like environmentalism, in relation to not just thinking of things in purely an economic or political way or spiritual way.”
Sophomore Caroline Coopersmith believes that the club’s religious discussion especially has been enlightening for her understanding of the basis of others’ religions.
“Personally, Interfaith has helped me better understand why other religions believe what they do,” Coopersmith said. “It has helped me become more in touch with my religion, Judaism.”
Despite being one of the few underclassmen in the club, Coopersmith emphasizes the welcoming environment of discussion the officers of Interfaith encourage.
“Everyone is polite and respectful, and they don’t interrupt you when you’re sharing something,” Coopersmith said. “The people there are really nice, which makes it easier to have an atmosphere that fosters sharing and discussion with each other.”
However, one of the current problems affecting discussion, according to Interfaith president Ras Goodwyn, is the lack of disagreement among members regarding major issues.
“In a club like Interfaith where a lot of our members have the same general idea on issues, it can be hard to generate discussion,” Goodwyn said. “It’s a good problem to have because we get along too well, but it’s kinda tricky, and it’s had us come up with more off-the-wall topics — like, my favorite topic of this year was what separates humans from animals, and you can’t look at someone you know and think, ‘I generally know what you think about that topic.’ But, we always make sure that the topic relates to religion in some way.”
In spite of the discussion- based nature of the club, Goodwyn, who has been a member of Interfaith since his freshman year, stresses that members are not required to talk, and instead, simply encourages attendance.
“I didn’t feel comfortable sharing that I was an atheist with the group until my sophomore year, and wanting to open up was something that the club helped me do because my freshman year, I was one of those people that came and never said a word,” Goodwyn said. “We still have members that do that, but there’s nothing wrong with that. If you want to just listen in on the discussion and not necessarily participate, it’s good that you’re just there.”
