Ohio University sophomore Megan Snow was in high school when she first began to question her religious beliefs. After being pressed to practice two different faiths by her mother and father, a Catholic and a member of The Church of Christ respectively, she experienced what she called a crisis of faith.
What followed was a long and intensive period of study that took her through Hinduism, Buddhism, Wicca and Islam, until she finally settled on Judaism. After a year of mandatory study, Snow ended her journey and officially converted.
Although Smith's tale of religious discovery might seem tedious or excessive to some, it is by no means an isolated case on college campuses across the country.
The majority of college students surveyed by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles not only consider themselves religious, but are actively striving to develop and strengthen their own beliefs within a particular faith. In some cases, this drive leads to conversion.
I set out on a journey to find out what religion would be right for me
Snow said.
Keith Miller, an OU freshman, went on a similar journey near the end of high school.
I was listening to a scripture reading by Gordon B. Hinckley (the modern-day prophet of the Mormon Church) and I thought 'Wow!' The reading had to do with keeping the faith and standing against outside influences. That was when I decided that this is definitely the right church for me
he said.
Unlike Snow, who stopped practicing Catholicism upon entering high school, Miller was quite active at his Catholic Church before converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
His search began when a friend suggested he read the Book of Mormon. The religious journey that followed was not a smooth one. Like many students who choose to convert, he experienced some aversion from his family.
My family did not respond nicely. They told me that I had been taken in by a cult
he said. The opposing beliefs of Miller's mother, who is earning her doctorate in Catholic theology, was a source of tension.
Both Snow and Miller advise other students who are searching to educate themselves and seek out the faith that encompasses their beliefs.
Keep on searching. If what you currently believe isn't fitting
something out there does
Miller said. Don't decide that because you haven't found it yet
you're never going to.
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