it Sunday School'
further explained, "In fact many
don't realize how hard a religion
major is and drop it."
Professor Keiser attributes the
treiwof an increasing amount of
religion majors in recent years to
a national trend back to the
humanities. He also adds that the
addition of Joe Groves in the
department made the major even
more attractive. Additionally.
Mel insists that the teachers of
the subject at Guilford (others
are Fete Moore and John
Stoneburner) don't insist on any
one theological point of view. As a
result, many types of faiths have
declared religion their major in
Vorld of Islam ' V
4*^
i are other religious differences that mak. 7
r* it hard for Muslims to feel
[ comfortable in American society. In ,
\ most Islamic countries, religious and J
fV secular matters are so closely intertwin-^
/ ed as to be almost indistinguishable from \
/ each other, unlike our country with its \
emphasis on the separation of church
and state. J J
Islamic religious rites include fasting,
recitation of the Koran, and prayers five \\
times a day. These religious re- a 1
quirements are a basic part of Muslim 1 1
life, and are continued by the individual
even when he or she is removed from the
I j native environment. Nouri Salamah of
Kuwait, says that his cross-cultural ex
i perience has made him stronger in his
religious beliefs. He faithfully observes
the rites, and they have become more
meaningful for him. Juma al-Shamari,
| also of Kuwait, expressed that each
I Muslim student must incorporate their
! contact with a non-Islamic culture in
their own way, but that most are just as
devout here as they are at home.
For the most part, Muslim students at
Guilford adjust to their experiences very
well. Almost all return to their home
country after their stay here, so they do
not seem to feel intense cultural conflict.
Perhaps the most severe problem faced
by these students is weight loss - many
don't like American food and eat very lit
tle while here.
What impression of our community
does the Muslim student take home with
him? For some, it is not the contact with
Christianity, or the advanced
technology, or the people, or even the Big
Mac that they remember most. She Siler
tells of picking up one of the first Muslim
students at the airport two years ago,
and his first comment on our area: "All
tins green!" COming from a country that
is mostly desert, he was very impressed
J n. with the trees and grass he saw all J-
\ around him. /
Such appreciation of nature would •
seem to transcend religious differences.
u J
Religion
eluding Quakers, Jews and other
secularized religions. The depart
ment offers interdisciplinary
classes, coupling religion with
topics as history, psychology,
philosophy and literature. These
courses are primarily taught as
IDS 401 classes.
On the ultimate goal of the
religion program Professor
Keiser staled, "It's a good way of
getting a liberal arts education
and a good way to become more
aware of yourself and the world;
essentially, we (the Religion
Department) are trying to create
a learner who will keep on learn
ing long after he graduates."
Worship Opportunities
by Hill Wilder
Staff Writer
For those students interested in
an opportunity for worship accor
ding to their faith or beliefs, there
are a number of area churches
and ministers anxious to serve
the students' needs. Many oppor
tunities lie right at our doorsteps
as several ministers conduct wor
ship services on campus.
Among these is Father Jac
Campbell who holds Catholic
mass every week in Boren
Lounge at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday
evenings. He can provide infor
mation for those interested in
fellowship or going on retreats
with other Catholic students here
or at UNC-G. In the Moon Room,
Jim Prevatt leads an Episcopal
service at 5:30 on Tuesday nights
and the Friends gather here as
well as on Sunday mornings at
10:30 a.m. for an unprogrammed
meeting. Jewish students on
campus wishing to worship may
contact Sheldon Novak (852-9394)
for information on upcoming
meetings and worship oppor
tunities.
A rapidly growing Christian
fellowship is also on campus,
holding bible studies several
times a week and encouraging
more participation from the stu-
dent body. If you're interested in
attending one of these meetings
you can contact Jennifer
Williamson for information
For those of you willing to leave
campus to worship, the New
Garden Friends Meeting is right
across the street and its semi
programmed service begins at
11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings
Next year Trinity Methodist
Church, which has a fine college
and career class, will be moving
to within a mile of the campus on
Friendly Ave.
Yet Guilford students are cer
tainly not limited to these par
ticular on-campus or near cam
pus opportunities. Some other
churches with good reputations
among college students include
Westover Presbyterian Church
and Florida Street Baptist
Church Although Westover is
now searching for a new pastor it
has long been noted for its fine
college class and Florida Street
Baptist, with Robert Goode as
pastor, also has an active class
for the college student.
Another opportunity offered is
the Gospel Light Baptist Church,
another popular church among
Guilford students, having 2000
members, it makes it the 19th
largest Baptist Church in
America. Gospel Light is in
Walkertown (about 22 miles), but
it is said that the drive is well
worth it
There are a great many chur
ches and religious organizations
in Greensboro well-suited to
serve the needs of all college
students. These numerous oppor
tunities can satisfy the diverse
needs of the Guilford College stu
dent body. See you in church!
*For more information, contact
Bill Wilder, 852-9353.
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