I think the students involved in religious life at the Colleges today are much more sincere than when I was a student, says Roy Dexheimer 55, vice president for advancement at the Colleges. There may be a smaller number, but they are enjoying their participation and having a meaningful experience, as opposed to going to chapel because it is required. Being forced to do something makes you want to do it all the less. Encouraging students to explore their beliefs not indoctrinating them is really the point of having a campus ministry program. Growing up, students may not have had the opportunity to explore various religious traditions.
College can provide that experience.
Part of what you can do in college is to grow spiritually, says Adams. It s not uncommon for students to start to question things they ve always held to be true. It s nice to have a place where it s OK to ask those questions and to wrestle with them. My sense is that the Chapel provides a place where students with a church connection can begin to question the conventional wisdom in which they have been raised, adds Moodie. Sometimes that means they become very attached.