A week full of religion starts now

Technician, being the student newspaper of N.C. State University, speaks for the diversity present in the student body. A diverse range of religious beliefs, for example, is found in our Viewpoint section. This week, to showcase this variety of views and draw attention to the diversity at N.C. State, we will feature columns in which our writers will talk about their religious beliefs and how religion has affected their lives.

Religion is a controversial matter — after all, fundamentally, it’s about how people understand the reality in which we live. Religion can be a core part of people’s worldviews, hence affecting the way they act in and perceive their surroundings. However, while religions are differentiated by some basic features — features that are responsible for much of the conflict between different religions — all religions also share some basic common ground. Furthermore, religion is at least slightly different for all people, even those identifying with the same religious tradition. This leads to a great deal of diversity even within, say, Christianity — a fact which will be highlighted on this page this week. Religion also intersects in interesting ways with other facets of the culture and place people grow up in, adding dimensions to both religious views and views of religion. And of course, it’s not necessary that all people be religious — a trait displayed more than ever among our generation.

Considering all of this, it remains a fact of our society that religion remains a significant shade of our social fabric — one that can either be seen as jutting out and causing unnecessary friction between other elements, or as unifying different elements and bringing value to all the different threads of our lives. 

Starting tomorrow and for the remainder of this week, we will be zooming in on this significance. Our writers will deal with Christianity, Hinduism, irreligion, Islam and Judaism, for whom their respective religions (or lack thereof) matter to them in varying degrees. While some of us are highly religious, others, while believing in some higher power, may not be particularly allied to the label of one religion. Then there are those of us who identify with some religion, but only in a cultural measure. And of course, there are those among us who reject religion, which is possible in various fashions. 

Such a mélange of lenses through which to understand the world is fascinating. It should also be recognized, appreciated and talked about. Dialog about religion has the effect of preventing misunderstandings and conflicts, as well as that of normalizing a view of the world which is diverse and colorful — and hence beautiful. It is with such an intention that Technician is shining light on some of the religious views held in our office. 

Our viewpoint — and a viewpoint we shall not compromise — is that there is no single viewpoint for most things. We believe that multiple perspectives about how to view the world make for an interesting world, and we should all acknowledge and talk about them fairly. We hope you enjoy our religion-themed columns this week, and that if you don’t agree with our viewpoint right now, you at least have your perspective challenged by the end of the week. And if you feel strongly enough, please write back with a letter to the editor (sent to viewpoint@technicianonline.com), or consider writing with us. We’re a diverse bunch.