During a discussion about religion on campus at Sinclair Community College, four people gave their thoughts.
Lindsay Puterbaugh, an alumni, Will Crawford, a Campus Ministry employee, Ribhi Dauod, an economics employee at Sinclair and Wright State University and Kendra Neargarder, a paralegal major, all gave their thoughts about their different religious beliefs.
“The faculty here has been fantastic,” Puterbaugh said. “I have never had an issue here at Sinclair and they have been very encouraging in allowing others to be aware of the Wiccan religion.”
For many quarters now, Puterbaugh has been asked to speak in a variety of classrooms to spread awareness about Wicca, which she said helps to counteract the preconceived notions that people often form when they hear the word witchcraft.
Puterbaugh said she wants to eliminate stereotypes such as, Charmed, Sabrina or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
“Don’t believe everything that Hollywood tells you,” she said. “Take preconceived notions out; take the Internet out.”
Crawford, a Jew, has also experienced stereotypes, though of a different nature.
“If the prof finds out I’m Jewish, they expect a little bit more of me,” Crawford said. “I’m expected to get good grades, and to show up for every class.”
The challenges faced by a person of faith at Sinclair are not that different from those we all face, according to Daoud.
“Many people will continue to have their misconceptions and negative stereotypes about other religions,” Daoud said. “But Islam teaches us to be tolerant, respectful and open to the different viewpoints, he said. “But what is religion without understanding?”
With the help of Sinclair’s Campus Ministry and Student Muslim Association, Daoud said he hopes that he can dispel some of the negative stereotypes that are often associated with Islam.
“Through the Inter-Faith dialogue the campus college has supported us to help us understand and get along with one another,” Daoud said.
Neargarder, a Pagan, likens her faith to a kind of “security blanket,” a source of support and encouragement that goes beyond that provided by family and friends.
“It’s like an extra level of support system,” Neargarder said.