OPINION: A ban on all religious bodies on campus is overkill
In an opinion piece, Habibe Holzkamp states that the church and the university should be kept separate. However, a university is not only an institution for higher learning and a place for academic discussion and growth, but also a place for personal growth. A blanket exclusion of religious bodies from the university limits this growth, writes Faisal Zaman Iftakhar, student at the Erasmus Mundus Master in Journalism at Aarhus University.
This is an opinion piece, the views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the writer.
Last week, an opinion piece by one of my fellow students was published in Omnibus. The piece regards the presence of Hillsong Church at the International Student Organisations Fair. My fellow student made some pertinent arguments about the presence of a religious organisation, in general, and with respect to Hillsong Church, in particular. However, I take exception with my fellow student's statement that “the church and the university should be kept separate”.
A university is not just an institution of higher learning, but also a place of diverse people with diverse ideas, where these diverse ideas invoke the spirit of free enquiry. It’s not just a place for academic discussion and growth, but also one of personal growth. The personal growth pertains not just to the academic education that one receives, but also to the plurality in socialisation that a university enables. An individual encounters not just different disciplines but also different perspectives, beliefs, and traditions. I believe a blanket exclusion of religious bodies from the university hinders and limits this growth.
Furthermore, a student fair is a marketplace of opportunities for students and communities inside the university. It is a place where an individual interested in sports or music might find their right fit, and likewise, for an individual interested in spirituality or religion. Excluding religious bodies outright from such spaces is a blow to the freedom of choice of these individuals. When these organizations are banned or excluded, the actual availability of religious options on campus is reduced, which limits students’ ability to freely exercise their religious freedom and religious choice in that environment.
Moreover, the presence of religious bodies allows the religious and the atheist alike to have a dialogue about their beliefs and convictions, thereby creating the space for intellectual growth. When we exclude religious bodies, we must acknowledge that we are also stifling this debate.
Last but not least, faith and spiritual practices can provide solace in times of stress and anxiety – two phenomena that are extremely common in a student’s life. For some, especially international students, religious groups can also provide a support network, helping them cope with the major shifts of life and loneliness.
However, the university has a responsibility that, while enabling religious bodies to operate on campus, they must abide by the rules, regulations, and spirit of the university’s regulations and Danish law. My fellow student made some serious observations about the Hillsong Church, and I sincerely hope that the University pays heed to them. While the presence of religious bodies on campus ensures freedom of expression and choice, it must be ensured that their activities do not stifle them in return.
More importantly, it must also be ensured that all sects and religious affiliations are given equal opportunities to partake in the university campus activities and impartiality is maintained not just in letter but also in spirit.
I conclude by invoking the spirit of freedom and a belief in the capability of human choice. Religious bodies on campus could be a source of guiding light for many. Arguing for a ban on all religious bodies because a tainted religious organisation was allowed to be part of the student fair is overkill.