written by Erin Adelman
R
eligion and purpose may seem to go hand-in-hand because religion often gives followers a sense of purpose. However, not everyone seeks religion for the same reason. “Pretty much any religion could potentially be a source of ‘purpose,’ ‘meaning’ or ‘identity’ to its adherents [a follower of the religion],” said Dr. John-Charles Duffy, a professor in the Department of Comparative Religion, “but adherents might or might not think of their participation in the religion in those terms.”
“Religion often gives followers a sense of PURPOSE” He said adherents look to religion for many reasons such as a sense of community or happiness. “Some people commit to a particular religion because they are convinced it is the truth, or because they are convinced it will assure them a desirable state in the afterlife,” he said. “... An observer might decide [it] is the same as ‘purpose’ or ‘meaning,’ but the adherent might not think in those terms.” However, for junior Jocelyn McMinimy, faith gives her life meaning.
44 | Winter 2018
“My purpose is to know God, have a personal relationship with Him, and then to make Him known,” she said. “I strive—note the word strive, I do not do this perfectly or even well most days—to be a reflection of who He is by loving and serving those He has so beautifully put in my path.” Her faith grants her peace about the future, both personally and for the world, she said. In the midst of a chaotic society that is far from peaceful, McMinimy said her “faith in a good God has also provided a huge sense of peace” because she can “rest in knowing that in the midst of … chaos there is a good God at work.” However, McMinimy said she has not always felt spiritually strong. “My first two years of college I was largely living life for myself, striving to love others as best I could and running to God and my faith when I sensed I needed it … I was living this life that we’re supposed to as college students, but I felt this aching emptiness.” This past summer McMinimy said she decided she “couldn’t profess God’s goodness to all [her] friends who didn’t know Him and not live a life that reflected personal faith in His goodness.
