By Katherine Yaremko

As our world becomes increasingly inter-connected and engulfed in continual technological advancement, individuals have more opportunities than ever to broaden their knowledge of communities beyond their immediate environment. Yet for many, unfamiliar cultures and religions, remain topics that are merely dappled in. We still have a tendency to perceive other cultures and religions as innately different and distinct from our own. Differences definitely exist, but deeper exploration often yields far more similarities than are readily apparent.

Religious and international courses are often regarded with less importance than other academic disciplines within our society’s educational system. While the University definitely provides opportunities for students to educate themselves about the outside world through the hosting of lectures and meetings where students with diverse backgrounds can contribute to cultural understanding, to what extent are students affected by these attempts? How many individuals think from a global perspective or spend a significant amount of time studying a foreign culture?

Cultures are intermingling at an unfathomable rate and during an era of intense international conflict, yet how often do we acknowledge this international connectivity and its importance? Not only is this importance relevant, but the richness and complexity of one’s life remains limited and two dimensional without a deep awareness of the world’s diversity. Yet many of us live in an incomplete version of reality, continuing to acquaint ourselves only with friends from our own culture or engage in activities familiar to our cultural antenna.

Even religious and spiritual beliefs are topics many shy away from out of fear or “my religion is the only right path” syndrome. My own spiritual understanding expanded slightly as a result of a few atheist friends I encountered on campus. Raised as a Catholic, I fastidiously practiced my faith up through middle school, (I still believed in my religion in high school, although I discovered there were particular issues in which I disagreed with the Church.)

I never considered abandoning my religion, and certainly not adopting atheism. Yet by the end of high school, I was having doubts, both about my religion and about God. By the time I entered college, I began moving closer to an agnostic path, though not prepared to split entirely with my belief system. Yet I was fascinated by different religions, particularly Buddhism and Islam, which in the midst of two wars, is still shrouded in misunderstanding. While the particular individuals I met here did not identify with either religion, they were so open minded regarding spirituality that I began researching atheism, agnosticism, and other belief systems. I realized that I was capable in integrating certain beliefs into my existing religion without conflict, providing a more thorough and complex understanding of reality.

I am not relating this story because I feel I have “succeeded” in broadening my cultural and religious understanding. Indeed, the ability to acquire further knowledge is infinite; and it is not my intention to impress or convey a sense of enlightenment. Personally, I feel incredibly ignorant when I contemplate the vast array of global information available and how little of it I know.

The study of religions and culture are often mentally relegated to universities and other high minded institutions, confided to the ruminations of professors and enlightened students. Yet it has real, practical applications for those who have fulfilled their basic survival needs; and I find it a shame that so many obsessed with achievement ignore this vital component of an optimum life.

As Mother Teresa once eloquently stated, “Holiness is not the luxury of the few; it is a simple duty, for you and for me.” Perhaps a little more understanding and acceptance would make us all a little holier.

Katherine Yaremko is a sophomore political science student. You may e-mail her at kyarem1@pride.hofstra.edu.