I want to start off my part of the blog by explaining the role interfaith cooperation and learning have played in my time at Georgetown, and why I am a part of the Melting pot. It all began early in my freshman year. My roommate and I had just moved into our room on Harbin 2. I thought I knew a lot about her before we had even spoken because I had noticed a few books on her bookshelf on one of our first days in Harbin: The Catechism, The Bible, and a large book on Catholocism. Based on my false conceptions of Catholocism, about which I knew little at the time, I expected her to be close-minded nd rigid in her beliefs. Just a few minutes with her and her cowboy boots proved me wrong, though.
Living with Lizzie has provided ample opportunities for interfaith dialogue. A particular conversation about Lent we had our freshman year helped me realize that several of our practices and values aligned. I had never fully understoof the purpose of Lent, but her explanation really resonated with me. She said that each time she exercised restraint in abstaining from something during Lent, she was reminded of God. Her explanation shed new light on certain aspects of my faith for me, including vegetarianism and Hindu holidays that involve fasting. Before our conversation, I had seen fasting as simply another part of a ritual. From just a few conversations, I learned that Lizzie had taken the time to consider for herself the merits and meaning of her faith and practices instead of blindly accepting them. She inspired me to do the same in practicing my own faith. I've definitely learned a lot about Catholocism from Lizzie, but more than that she has broadened my understanding of what it means to be a person of faith.
I hope that in the Melting Pot this year we can continue to learn about ourselves and each other by exploring our shared and divergent beliefs.
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