January 30

The dictionary definition of religion is “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.” Religion, especially to Notre Dame students, has complex meanings to everyone who encounters it. Notre Dame students, who knowingly enrolled in a Catholic university, are required to take theology courses in order to learn more about faith and the sophisticated study of God in an open setting that no other class can truly provide. Students come to appreciate Catholicism more and are called upon to question what they believe and to wrestle with the meaning of religion altogether. Like Cavanaugh says in “Violence, Religion, and the State,” “Religion focuses our ultimate concern.” It calls us to question our priorities, our desires, and our own moral codes. Taking a theology course at Notre Dame has already begun to bring questions to my mind that I haven’t consider before. Even the rejection of any specific religion calls the person to question where they are, where they eventually want to be, and how they are ultimately going to get there. He also characterizes religion as a way to build community, which I believe is evident in the unmatched community here at Notre Dame, which is not solely because it is a Catholic university, but I think it definitely contributes. Another key aspect of religion is its inclusion of stories, symbols, rites, behaviors, and ceremonies, which provide tangible and meaningful ways of worship and reverence. Without these key elements, religion is difficult to practice and uphold for a lot of people because it may seem lacking in substance or abstract. Objects, practices, and objects like these give people an easier way to connect with and uphold their religion, so they are vital. Religion is different for every person who encounters it, but it has a way of changing the worldview of many people in a positive light.