Judaism:
Hillel Jewish Center is a student center for the Jewish community but is also there to enrich the entire university with Jewish knowledge and culture, says Rabbi Lee.
If students come to the center for information on conversion, Lee says he will ask them to “fairly look at their own religious traditions, but we’re also open to inquiry and experience. It’s not good enough to run away from something without knowing what it is.” He says that at this age, he notices college students have a tendency to stray away from any religious obligation.
There is an ancient tradition of being turned down three times in order for the Rabbi or Synagogue to take a potential convert seriously. Lee says this method has been used to “push people away while still bringing them near.”
“Romance is a legitimate reason for inquiry, but to become a Jew is a more personal commitment,” Lee says. “People need to be sure of who they are and what they do [when considering conversion]. You’re making choices that will impact you and your children and practice has been and still can be somewhat dangerous.” Jewish people don’t believe you have to be Jewish to get into heaven, therefore the idea of conversion is not really stressed, he says.
Religion has intensity and valuable materials that should be learned beyond any particular denomination, he says.
Hillel invites students of all faiths to join in Friday night discussions on Judaism.
Catholicism:
Converting to Catholicism is an intricate ritual, which may not be as well known as other religious conversion processes. The process is known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, where adults are introduced to the Catholic faith.
Sister Colleen Braun, director of RCIA at All Saints Catholic Church at ASU says, “Some parishes do this as a program — moving groups along at the same pace — but we call it a process, which is better for students.” Potential converts begin a period of inquiry, where they learn more about the faith. Braun says everyone is welcome to join in this period and free to continue or not continue with the process.
Potential converts become known as Catechumens — a person who is interested in being a member. Converts then find a “sponsor” to help guide them through the various rites. “We’ll talk with the sponsor to get a feel for where they stand,” she says. Converts will be baptized if they haven’t already been baptized in a Christian faith, she explains. Once they complete a profession of faith and baptismal commitment, they continue worshiping with the Catholic community.
“If students want to learn, they can come Sunday evenings at 5:30,” she says. “To learn more about the process, they can meet me. If someone comes, I just talk to them about their relationship with God and why they were drawn here.”
When it comes to converting for love, she says, “I make it clear that it doesn’t mean you can’t inquire, but marriage can’t be the reason why you stay with the church.”
All Saints welcomes all students to visit, Braun says.“We want to be a place for them to share faith with each other and God.”
Muslim:
“The requirement for someone to become a Muslim is simple - they have to believe in the Six Articles of Faith,” says Nazeef Ebrahim, former President of the Muslim Students’ Association at ASU.
The beliefs of the Muslim faith include:
1. Belief in One God, the God of Abraham.
2. Belief in all the creations of God.
3. Belief in all the Books God revealed (Quran, Bible, psalms of David, Torah, etc.)
4. Belief in all the Prophets of God (Muhammad, Jesus, David, Moses, Abraham, etc.)
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment.
6. Belief in God’s Divine Will
“Converts to Islam generally study the six articles and explore many parts of the faith before converting,” Ebrahim says. “When they decide to convert to Islam, they orally declare that they believe in One God and accept that Muhammad is the final prophet.”
Students can learn more information about Islam at the Islamic Community Center of Tempe, which has weekly tours, and visitors are free to ask questions, Ebrahim says.
The Tempe mosque provides many services to the public and to the Muslim community. The center holds many events, particularly in the month of Ramadan — which began Sept 1.
“For people interested in more in-depth study, there is a class that meets every Sunday over the course of the semester,” he says.
