After the ratification of the Constitution of the United States in 1788, anti-federalists argued against the document because it did not state certain individual rights of the people. It was not until the 10 amendments were established that the Constitution listed the specific individual rights of expression, press, assembly, petition, speech and religion.
The struggle for free religious choice has occurred all over the world for centuries, and America served as a pioneer in religious freedom.
Since the addition of the Bills of Rights, America has become the melting pot of races, of political ideologies and of religions.
From Jewish synagogues to Buddhist temples, American buildings represent religions founded in nations worldwide. The building one attends depends on one’s religion. Students decide what religion they belong to and the extent to which they will follow it.
Islam
For Ayesha Ali, a junior in elementary education, following her religion means praying five times daily, wearing traditional Muslim dress, including a head scarf, and being modest both in behavior and her dress. Ali follows her religion closely, fully covering her body in clothes and wrapping her head in a scarf so only her face is visible.
Ali believes her dress is a symbol of a Muslim woman. She said she feels it is important to be modest in all she does. For some it might be a sacrifice to cover themselves completely no matter the weather, but for Ali it is very important. She only takes off her headscarf at home around her family, but never in public.
“It brings peace,” Ali said of her dress.
Ali also prays five times a day. When she’s in classes during the day, she’ll find a spot between classes to pray. Ali admits following her religion can be hard, but it’s a choice she has made for herself.
“It can be hard, but for me prayer is important,” Ali said. “You just have to be proud of who you are.”
Ali doesn’t participate in causal dating. According to Ali, she will date for marital purposes, but never the casual dating popular in college life. When it comes time for her to date, Ali said religion will play a large part of who she will date.
“I want to find someone who has similar religious beliefs,” Ali said.
As part of her religion, Ali also stays away from “substances that alter the mind,” including alcohol.
Buddhism
Kevin Shumaker, a sophomore in religious studies, is a practicing Zen Buddhist. Even though Buddhism is a religion, Shumaker said he believes it is more a philosophy to live by than a religion.
“[I’m] a day-to-day Buddhist,” Shumaker said.
Shumaker grew up in the Protestant religion, but converted to Buddhism three years ago.
In Zen Buddhism, Shumaker said he is taught not worry about things beyond his control. Shumaker keeps idols of Buddha around to remind him of the lifestyle he has chosen. Zen Buddhists don’t have a regular scripture, according to Shumaker. Shumaker does read the writings of Buddha and follows the eight things he is supposed to live by as a Buddhist, but said there are no religious restrictions.
“It’s not so much a religious devotion as a lifestyle choice,” Shumaker said.
Mormonism
Unlike Shumaker, Jeff Langston, a senior in industrial engineering, said he lives by a religious devotion. Langston belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or more commonly known as Mormons.
Langston, in following his religion, said he, like Ali, stays away from substances that alter the mind. Langston prays during the day, a part of his religion that he says is important.
In the summer of 1999, Langston packed his bags and left home to serve a two-year mission, common for men in his church. Langston was sent to another state — California — where he and another 19-year-old boy lived and worked together in each other’s constant presence.
During the mission trip, Langston was allowed to call home twice a year — on Mother’s Day and Christmas and could not watch regular television or listen to non-church related music. Langston said he shared the message of his church and also did service work during these two years.
“The hardest part was learning to live with someone else all the time,” Langston said. “It’s also difficult to leave your family for two years, but you are there to serve others. You lose yourself in that service.”
Langston said it was also hard to leave his girlfriend of three years, knowing that she might not wait for him to come back. Langston and his girlfriend ended up splitting when she decided to date other people.
Langston said he isn’t sorry for his loss of time and putting his education on hold to serve a mission.
“It was something I always wanted to do,” Langston said.
Catholicism
Teresa Denault, a sophomore in environmental technology, has always lived a Catholic lifestyle. Denault attends church every Sunday, prays and is on the Catholic Campus Ministry’s leadership team as the social coordinator. Denault also helps to teach confirmation classes.
“I really love the Catholic community,” Denault said. “I love that mass is the same everywhere around the world.”
Denault’s religion, unlike others, doesn’t restrict her dating, but she said she would like to date someone with similar beliefs to hers.
Praying is an important part of her religious devotion. Denault believes prayer is an individual’s choice, and there’s no set amount of prayers Catholics must say in one day.
“I pray a lot, but there’s no rule,” Denault said.
According to Denault, there are certain prayers that people in her religion pray, like The Father’s Prayer. Denault said following her religion can be hard, but she hangs out with people within her religion, which makes it easier.
“I always found strength in being around people of the same faith,” Denault said.
Judaism
Some students don’t feel their religion restricts them, but rather that the community in which they live restricts them from being more open about their faith.
Rachel Greenstein, a junior in sociology and social studies, is one such student. Greenstein is involved in a lot of activities within the Jewish religion, but sometimes feels her community restricts her.
“Living in the Bible Belt prohibits me from expressing my religion to the extent that I want to,” Greenstein said.
Greenstein goes to synagogue on Friday nights and Saturday mornings as part of her religious worship. Ben Mazur, a junior in religious studies, also goes to synagogue on Friday nights.
Mazur describes his religion as a “choice-through-knowledge” religion. In his sect of Judaism, one learns then decides what is best for him.
“Following Judaism isn’t about what I do,” Mazur said.
Religions in America are as diverse as the people, but both are bonded by the freedom of choice, a freedom given within the foundation of the American government — the Constitution.