Spirituality Soothes Post Attack Anxiety

Author: Megan Michelson Features Editor

In response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 and the subsequent terrorist related events, the religious organizations at Middlebury College have attempted to counteract feelings of uneasiness among students with assurance that a caring community exists and that resolution is possible. Many of the religious organizations have sponsored speakers to come talk with students about current issues and offer suggestions for helping others in times of need. Other groups have conducted prayer sessions or group meditation to increase the sense of community and efforts to promote healing.

Despite varying religious faiths and barriers between isolated religious organizations, all of the groups on campus have provided students with distinct approaches to channeling positive energy in order to release tension produced during a time of civil unrest. Most of the organizations have also offered an open door policy for any students interested in joining in the group's activities, regardless of their religious background.

The Christian Science Organization, which holds weekly meetings to discuss readings from the Bible and the book "Science and Health" by Mary Baker Eddy, recently co-sponsored a lecture with the Office for Institutional Diversity and the Chaplain's office. The speaker was David Stevens, a former college counselor, who is touring the country speaking at colleges and universities and engaging students in a discussion entitled "Practical Spiritual Problem Solving in a Time of Crisis."

Stevens spoke to the members of the Christian Science Organization and other students who attended the lecture about what he considered to be spiritual approaches to issues of war and terrorism with a focus on the power of prayer. "Prayer is curative and preventative. If we love humanity and have confidence in God's presence, we can overt and avoid the possibility of future terrorist attacks," Stevens said. Stevens encouraged the Middlebury students present to participate in the conversation in order to form a community among the students for prayer and healing. Additionally, he stressed the importance of recognizing the idea that all human beings are "children of God." Stevens explained, "The lack of understanding or recognition that we all come from one common origin gets us into trouble."

Laurie Burgdorff '02, president of the Christian Science Organization, arranged to have Stevens speak at the College immediately after Sept. 11 as a way to offer students an outlet to view the terrorist attacks from a spiritual perspective. She also mentioned the other attempts the organization has made to create an environment conducive to healing and support. "We have discussions at our weekly meetings about effective ways to pray and ways to reach out to those struggling," commented Burgdorff.

The Intervarsity Christian Fellowship also put on a lecture regarding pain and suffering due to the terrorist attacks and has scheduled an upcoming discussion with Matt Dickinson, associate professor of political science, about security from a Christian perspective. In addition, the Christian Fellowship, which is made up of about 50 students, holds meetings every Tuesday night in which they pray as a whole group. According to Fellowship leader David Kaufmann '03, "Prayer is very important." Kaufmann also described the amount of support offered to students within the group and to the rest of the student body. "The group is called a fellowship for a reason. We do as much as we can to support and watch out for each other," said Kaufmann.

Hillel, the Jewish organization on campus, also puts emphasis on the idea of promoting community and a source for support. "The Jewish religion is community oriented and about individuals working together," said Associate Chaplain and Rabbi Ira J. Schiffer. According to Schiffer, the support of the community is most important at times of instability, and as a result he counsels both Jewish students and others frequently on the importance of working together to resolve issues or seek solace. "Immediately following Sept. 11, Hillel students, among others, were remarkable in terms of care and support for each other," said Schiffer.

Hillel has made some tentative plans for future events on terrorist discussions from a religious standpoint. "There are ongoing questions about Americans facing terror on our soil, and this will influence conversations and panels in the months ahead," explained Schiffer.

Co-President of Hillel Becky Ruby '01.5 commended Rabbi Ira Schiffer on his availability to students following Sept. 11. She also mentioned the continuous efforts from Hillel to support students struggling with terrorist related concerns.

"The Jewish Center is open for students to light candles in remembrance of those who died on Sept. 11," said Ruby. In addition to traditional prayer at Hillel's Friday services, the organization also participates daily in a prayer called a Mourner's Kaddish, which is said to replace the prayer previously conducted by those who have died. "During prayer, a lot of people have the victims of Sept. 11 in their minds and in their hearts," commented Ruby.

Wasim Rahman '02, former president of the Islamic Society, defined the activity of the Islamic Society immediately following Sept. 11 as "low-profile"; however, now the group is more comfortable going out into the community to educate and inform people about the Muslim religion. "We're trying to separate Islam from terrorism, and we're focusing on education," Rahman said. Their efforts to inform students include the Iranian symposium last weekend and an upcoming lecture entitled "Is Islam to Blame?"

As an alternative spiritual approach to the current issues concerning terrorism, the Prajna Insight Society, the Buddhist organization at the College, performs meditation and yoga to absolve any issues perplexing the students involved. Co-President Max Livshetz '02 said that the group focuses on gaining personal insight solely through the acts of mediation and yoga. "We haven't addressed Sept. 11 specifically, but a part of mediation and yoga is being grateful for blessings we have especially when we consider that other people are suffering," Livshetz said. The group focuses on peaceful ways to gain introspection in order to understand wider issues. "We approach the situations with calm and insight," Livshetz commented.

Regardless of religious denomination, the religious student organizations on campus have participated equally in offering support and guidance in the aftermath of Sept. 11. The organizations have offered students the options to view the United States' current issues from a religious perspective and find resolution within the confines of religious guidelines.