Education helps to bust religious stereotypes
By Angela Serednicki
As Catholics, we are called to understand and respect different religious beliefs and practices. Throughout my life, I have been immersed in my Catholic faith but knew very little about other religions in our society. That’s why I was excited about the world religions class that every Grade 11 student at a Catholic high school in Ontario must take.
In class, we learned about the practices, customs and beliefs of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. The more I learned about other religions, the more I started to see the social misconceptions about different religions, such as the social stigma of baptized Sikhs wearing a kirpan at all times. Many people are concerned about Sikhs wearing this ceremonial dagger, when in reality kirpans are a symbol of non-violence and are only to be used in emergency situations to defend victims of crime.
In class, we learned about the practices, customs and beliefs of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. The more I learned about other religions, the more I started to see the social misconceptions about different religions, such as the social stigma of baptized Sikhs wearing a kirpan at all times. Many people are concerned about Sikhs wearing this ceremonial dagger, when in reality kirpans are a symbol of non-violence and are only to be used in emergency situations to defend victims of crime.
Knowledge is the key to acceptance and understanding, and without it, we are left to believe stereotypes and assumptions. The more we learn about a subject or religion, the easier it is to accept their customs and identify the misconceptions.
Learning about other religions made me realize that despite the differences, most religions share many traits. All religions worship a divine power which is expressed through beliefs, customs and rituals that try to explain the mystery of life.
Though there are many names to call this divine power, countless more ways to worship and follow whatever we choose to believe, one thing remains true: it is important in life to have faith.
As Catholics, we must respect people of other faiths and treat all people equally. As it says in the Bible, “I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people… this is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.”
Studying different religions has inspired me to better myself and the dedication I have in my own faith. I realized that if Jewish teens can learn to read Hebrew from the Torah for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, then surely I can memorize my favourite Bible passages. If Sikhs and Muslims can take time out of their morning routines to put on their turbans and hijabs, then I can remember to wear my cross every day. If Hindus and Jews can make daily dietary restrictions, then I can restrict myself from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
Now that I have completed my course, I see different religions as different roads leading to the same destination with different names. Buddhists call their destination Nirvana, Hindus call their destination Moksha and we call our destination Heaven. No road has a quicker route or has more speed bumps than the other. Every road is equal and no one should judge or assume that theirs is the right way.
And after learning about other religions, I am more confident that Catholicism is the right road for me.
(Serednicki, 16, is a Grade 11 student at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School in Mississauga, Ont.)
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