While there are many different student religious groups on Grounds, the Christian community is expanding. Sororities and fraternities are developing their own Christian bible studies, and even new fellowships are being added to the already existing groups such as Chi Alpha, Reformed University Fellowship, Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade for Christ and InterVarsity. You can see any of the above groups, and more, worshiping in the University Chapel, in any of the large buildings around Grounds and even in small groups in dorms.
I am a member of Chi Alpha, which has been life-changing for me. Despite its name, Chi Alpha is not Greek-affiliated. It is a body of students who come together once a week for worship and prayer. Growing up, I was never very religious, even after going to a Catholic all-girls school. Once I took the initiative to join Chi Alpha, though, my faith grew immensely in a short time and I found myself feeling accepted by them, despite my faith background. The people in Chi Alpha are truly loving and devoted friends and I was lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful community as I struggled in my journey to understand Christianity and the Bible. My story is not an isolated one, I can assure you, as I have witnessed many students here grow in their faiths as well.
Just last Tuesday hundreds of University students went to John Paul Jones Arena for AfterDark, a speaker series by Joe White, with musical guest Ben Rector. White spoke about how Jesus is relevant in our lives here at college, and how we should interpret the message of the cross Jesus died on. White lugged two large, wooden beams onto the stage and crafted a crucifix. He then had us all write down our sins and struggles and nailed them to the cross, representing all our sins that Jesus died for. It was a powerful moment, and watching hundreds of students fall to their knees deep in prayer proved just how deeply the Christian community here at the University is impacting us.
These religious groups may just be a few of the many clubs that exist here on grounds, but they are some of the most important ones. They allow students to seek faith, if they so desire, and to learn and grow. These groups can help students cultivate a faith, whether it be in Christianity or in a different religion; there are over 60 religion-based groups here on grounds, representing many different sects. And these groups are undoubtedly filled with some of the most loving people you will ever meet.
A study done at the University of California, Los Angeles by Gary Railsback in 1994 found that 34 percent of all students who entered one public university claiming to be “born again” no longer held to their faith upon graduation. He also discovered an additional 28 percent of self-proclaimed Christian students had not attended a church or a religious service in one full year after entering college. With these statistics, it is an inspiration to see students being active in their faith and joining any of the 60 faith-based groups on Grounds. People often think college is a secular place, but here are the University we are defying those odds and students are discovering their faith and incorporating it in their lives.
Meredith Berger is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. Her columns run Mondays.
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