3/31/17 In Review (& New Club Leadership)

Speaker: Sophie Worscheh

Highlights & Best Moments:

• Worscheh’s recalling of her journey as an atheist and her views on faith provided an excellent and much-needed secular perspective in chapel. The speech neither encouraged nor discouraged religion, but showed great respect for people in both groups, and helped humanize atheists.
• In response to a friend pitying her for not believing in a god, Worscheh noted that her lack of faith in a deity does not preclude her faith in her friends, her family, and in herself, a critical differentiation and an important point when considering the role of religion in our society.

Points of Information:

• Interestingly, the second reading during chapel, a message discouraging “ignorance and hardness of heart” comes from Ephesians 4:18, a Biblical verse referring to those who do not believe in the Christian God as those who are ignorant. Out of context and in chapel, this was clearly not the intended meaning, but the initial passage is worth reading for insight.

Takeaways & Final Thoughts:

• As a club, we appreciate the work of Reverend Mulligan and members of the Chapel Guild for organizing this chapel and allowing Worscheh to share her personal faith and discuss atheism. Kudos and thank you!
• “Looking through a black-and-white lens [at the world] blocks out color. Don’t eliminate opportunity to expand your understanding.” — Worscheh
• We remain perturbed by the inclusion of so many Christian prayers, etc. as aspects of chapel services attended by a diverse group of students. The school’s statement on chapel services can be viewed online here.

Special Announcement: The current SJS Freethinkers Club student leaders have elected a new board who will begin leading the organization in mid-to-late April. Lincoln Dow will remain on the board and will be joined by Mariela Arreola and Sareena Marshall. Sebastian Varma will become the new Editorial Manager for Chapel in Review. Our thanks to Hallie Krudy for her commitment to the club as a co-founder and student leader for 2016–2017.

This post will be updated with any additional thoughts we receive. To share your perspective on a recent chapel service, send Freethinkers Club an email.