Carlmont Christian Club’s meeting last week started with a silly Kahoot quiz, named “Memes and Jesus,” but in all seriousness, the meeting had a significant undercurrent.
The meeting was primarily a discussion about what to do when confronted by someone who puts down Christianity. All of the club members joined the conversation, each giving his or her opinions on the matter. The club leader Kalea Pasion, a junior, explained why one should support their beliefs.
Pasion said, “It is important to stand up for what we believe in because it is what we believe.” She also put considerable emphasis on how someone should uphold his or her beliefs; she said, “It is important to stand up respectfully because it is OK to have different views, but everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.”
She also put considerable emphasis on how someone should uphold his or her beliefs; she said, “It is important to stand up respectfully because it is OK to have different views, but everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.”
With all of the international issues with religion that have occurred lately, it is refreshing to hear a high school club have a discussion about how to respect one’s own and other’s religion.
The secretary of the club, Kiran Boone, a junior, shared similar sentiments with Pasion.
Boone said, “It is much more valuable to foster a discussion with someone rather than an argument because, in a discussion, both sides can learn something and be open to new opinions, if everyone is arguing no one wins.”
The club was skimming the surface of a very broad and sometimes dangerous topic, religious tolerance, and the club members wanted to discuss what to do when religious tolerance and freedom is infringed upon by someone else.
Freshman Wesley Costa had a more active approach to the situation.
Costa said, “Ask why they think that [about Christianity] — many times it is just what they have heard, and it is usually unfounded.”
Someone would be able to determine what problems another might have with Christianity or any religion by asking, and then they could explain the reasons why their religion is the way it is. Towards the end of the meeting, discussion leader Cindy Ji, a sophomore, wrapped up.
She said, “What is most important is that you stand up for what you believe in, but you should also be respectful while doing so.”
Christian Club meets every Thursday at lunch in room C13.
