Issue 51 - University of Surrey's Student Union

FAITH Inter @ Faith SURRWSometime in the 1960s it was assumed that religion would ainevitably disappear as society got more sophisticated owith advances in technology. Religious faith would be dconsigned to the ancient world order of superstition and dfable. People would come to see secularism as a grown upway to understand the world and human beings.fBut it hasn’t gone that way. Religious faith, wsand more generally spirituality, continues wto play a part in the lives of men and women cand communities across the world. It seems othat Western Europe is the exception in its secularity, oand not the pioneer as was once assumed (in the West). tPeople of faith are not a problem to be managed, but Ware imaginative, generous and robust in seeking the aCommon Good of society. And that is true of universities ttoo. Faith is not left behind when students oarrive on campus, whether international orhome students. And so at Surrey there is a aEvibrant ‘faith scene’. You can encounter thisithrough the various faith societies affiliated ato the Student Union.The University of Surrey is a secular institution,in that it privileges no system of belief over any other.The University does though acknowledge the presenceChaplaincy at Surrey is here to…• enable students to live out and practice their faith on campus• foster dialogue between those of diverse faiths and no faith andthose of different values and lifestyle• be part of enriching the student experience at Surrey• play a part in building a rich, diverse and respectful communityat Surrey• meet pastoral needs of those who inhabit the University campusboth students and staff, academic and support.What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law;all the rest is commentary.Talmud, Shabbat 3idI’m Dániel from Hungary, doing my first year ofsociology here at the University of Surrey. Mytradition is very important to me, because theenvironment I grew up in formed me in to who Iam, and It always ensured me that there is a placewhere I can reach to, where I belong.I’m restarting the Jewish Society here at the Uni. Ifyou are interested in any ways feel free to contactme: muci@viragneked.huMy name is Obu Anaduaka and I am a postgrad Enigneering student. Faith is very importantto me because it is focused on believingin God. It is present in every part of my dailylife; from my inter-personal relationships toprivate reflection and development. Faith hasdeveloped the way I view and interact with myenvironment. It has shown me the importanceof helping the poor, feeding the hungry andassisting the less privileged. My faith made mewho I am and I do not think that I will be whoI am without it.Chaplains at SurreyMy name is Hannah and I am a first year Physicsstudent. Since starting university I have joined theSwimming & Waterpolo club and have become amember of SIFE.I am a Christian and my faith is important to mebecause it is something I can always rely on. Thingsmay not turn out the way I want them to but myfaith means that I am supported through any challengesthat I may face and I can take comfort fromthe fact that I believe things will turn out for good.Some Chaplains are full time, some are part time, and they come as a‘gift’ from their faith communities to the University. They are not paidby the University but are part of it. They are available to everyone andseek to serve all confidentially and discreetly.Chaplains at Surrey are here to…• be representative practitioners who, true to their own faith orspirituality, engage openly and honestly with those of all faiths andnone;• act as advocates for the place of faith within the University;• give faith specific advice to the University staff and students;• nourish those of their own faith, encourage those of others faithsand spiritualities and inform those of no faith;‘Jesus Christ is the imageof the invisible God, thefirstborn of all creation’Colossians 1.15’Hurt not othersin ways that youyourself would findhurtful.Udana-Varga 5,1That nature alone is good whichrefrains from doing anotherwhatsoever is not good for itself.Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5Hello, I’m Sidath Madhuwantha and I’m a second year , sElectronic Enigneering. Prof Geoff Hunt has helped me inways as the Buddhist Chaplain for the university. I first talhim last November 2011. This was because when I first caversity I felt let alone. And I couldn’t integrate well with thand culture. Originally I’m from Sri Lanka and my culturedifferent from that in the UK. Normally in my country stuof my age do not drink alcohol and do not go out much atwas surprised to see that people do this quite often here. Namong my class mates but also among my house mates I fsame way, alone. As I felt left alone I thought that I need sance, someone who has a vision, someone kind and someunderstand me.After my first meeting with Geoff I felt like huge btaken off from my shoulders. Finally I have someone to tathan my family overseas, which of course I cannot do in thbecause they’ll worry about me too much! He also invitedcome to the Buddhist sessions on campus. This was a greanity not only being a member did allow me to meet and mfriends but also I would be able to practice meditation whaLto