2008 Woodie Awards
Because you've gotta have faith
Jessica Summe
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: Features
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Jackson and other members of AFSA were finishing lunch at their promotion table in the TMB Food Court. The table was set with a display board featuring twelve religious symbols and covered with flyers detailing the basic beliefs of 11 major religions.
"We've met the initial goal, which was to have a variety of different faiths in the group," said Dr. Clark Hudspeth, the advisor of AFSA. "Our next goal is education, and that's what the table is for."
The All Faith Student Alliance was developed to promote religious tolerance, expand knowledge of various faiths throughout JSU, and to give those belonging to minority religions a voice on campus. The organization members belong to a variety of religions, including Christianity. There are Wiccans, Agnostics, Kemetics, and even an Atheist in AFSA.
It takes time and effort to study religion, and AFSA makes it easier for the average student to learn about a different faith. Their meetings sometimes become a question-and-answer session among members, and sometimes Hudspeth, who teaches society and religion courses, will deliver a mini-lecture on various subjects. There are no judgments or coercion during the meetings, just a genuine interest in religion and a willingness to help and support those of other faiths. The topic of conversation will often veer from religion to sociology, science, popular culture and religion's impact on them.