The Right To Believe Belief System Diversity at Michigan State University Produced by Campus Interfaith Council

What Is a Belief System?  A belief system is a set of mutually supportive beliefs. The beliefs of any such system can be classified as religious, philosophical, ideological, or a combination of these.  Philosopher Jonathan Glover says that beliefs are always part of a belief system, and that belief systems are difficult to completely revise.Jonathan Glover  Beliefs are closely connected with one’s identity – what makes them who they are!

Some Belief Systems on Campus  Christianity  Islam  Judaism  Paganism  Hinduism  Buddhism  Wicca  Sikhism  Bahá'í  Confucianism  Agnostic  Atheist  Humanist And So Many More!

Change our Perspective Tolerance Acceptance  1. To allow without prohibiting or opposing; permit.  2. To recognize and respect (the rights, beliefs, or practices of others).  3. To put up with; endure.  1. The act or process of accepting.  2. The state of being accepted or acceptable.  3. Favorable reception What is the difference between the two?

How to Approach Differences  Work to accept others for who they are, where they came from, and what they believe  Establish points of confusion or topics that you are passionate about.  Recognize cultural backgrounds that address beliefs or practices  Giving a favorable reception triumphs in communications  Use “Accepting” instead of “Tolerate” or “Tolerance” to do this.  Ask questions, be interested, be willing to learn about others and other cultures  Resources  

On Campus Resource: Campus Interfaith Council  Student organization at MSU and member of the COPS coalition (Council of Progressive Students)  What They do…  Promote acceptance of all belief communities through celebration of diversity and promotion of cultural understanding/learning  Promote relationships between peoples of differing faiths and secular views  Integrate the right to a religious aspect within the student life  Encourage interfaith cooperation and foster understanding for the attainment of peace and justice through dialogues and collaborative events  Serve as the official voice to ASMSU regarding matters of religious freedom and discrimination

Religious Awareness Week  Tuesday—Professor Panel on Secularity  Multicultural Center (Second Floor Union), 5:30p  Tuesday – Bi-Weekly Interfaith Dialogue  Multicultural Center (Second Floor Union), 7:00p  Wednesday—Philanthropy Project  Travel to Peckham (Time TBA)  Thursday—B. Alan Wallace Lecture  CIP 115 (International Center), 7:00pm  Friday—Meditation & Yoga (FREE)  Meditation – UB 50, 10:0am  Yoga – Multicultural Center (Second Floor Union), 11:00am  Friday - Free Shabbat Dinner  Mason-Abbot Kitchen, 6:30pm  Saturday—Paint the Rock & Meet the Group! March 25-29

(Pictures to Use for Bulletin Boards)  Christian  Islam  Judaism

(Pictures to Use for Bulletin Boards)  Pagan religions symbols  Humanism

(Pictures to Use for Bulletin Boards)  Atheism