The Study of Religion and Beyond
In the Spring of my junior year at USC, I enrolled in RELG 205: Morality, Ethics, and Religion. In this class, we focused on understanding major world religions and how belief systems influence moral behavior, civic engagement, and leadership. Through this course, I learned and explored the intersections of worldview and responsibility. I also learned the importance of religious and cultural literacy in reference to ethical decision-making in both professional and multicultural settings, such as in the military.
In RELG 205, I developed the academic skills necessary to articulate and compare the five major world religions: Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism. Understanding how each tradition teaches its followers to integrate esoteric spirituality (inner beliefs) and exoteric religious expression (external practice and ritual) in their daily lives. This became a framework for me in terms of growth because it allowed me to begin looking beyond the doctrines to see how one’s belief translates into action. I also became more adept at using professional theological vocabulary to describe concepts of justice, grace, moral obligation, and collective responsibility. This significantly improved my cultural competency and empathy and has helped me in engaging with communities that are different from my own. My first artifact for this key insight is my RELG 321 Prophets and Prophecy on Jonah. This paper displays my interpretation of the story of Jonah and commentary that compares and analyzes religious traditions and human behavior.
When it comes to both civic engagement and professional leadership, one cannot truly lead or serve in accordance with their values without those being accepted in the world through justice, compassion, and ethical action. By learning to see this and understanding how it is like the way that religion shapes believers’ daily lives, I began to view religion not only as an academic pursuit but also as a means for shaping my own character and understanding of responsibility as a leader.
My BTC learning experience was attending the Religious Freedom Symposium, which is Artifact 2. This experience was, in many ways, a continuation and not separate from the work I did in coursework. At the symposium, I had the opportunity to hear religious leaders from around the world speak on topics regarding persecution, resilience, and faith under fire. I was able to see in their stories and experiences the principles of esoteric belief and exoteric practice working in tandem. People acted for the sake of justice because they were compelled to do so by their faith. I was challenged in new ways to think, to listen, and to respond with empathy. In many ways, the skills I had previously acquired and sharpened in the academic setting became the essential tools that allowed me to be a part of and engage in real social and civic discourse.
Additionally, my experiences from this class expanded when I served on the Administration Team at my local church. This learning experience was similar but also distinct from the previous ones. On the Administration Team, I was able to have a front-row seat to how faith-based moral reasoning and spiritual considerations inform actual decision-making. I was able to witness firsthand how values like inclusion, hospitality, and care for community and congregation manifest in practical policy and service at the local level. In this setting, as well, I was required to continue to hone skills such as professionalism, empathy, communication, and volunteering, assisting in philanthropic outreach activities, all of which were connected to the GLD Professional & Civic Engagement Pathway.
Through both of these experiences, I was able to see for myself that religious literacy is not just knowledge but a civic tool, one that allows and requires leaders to consider and weigh how they treat people, how they go about conflict resolution, and how they will work and interact with people with faiths, values, and worldviews different from their own. Cultural and spiritual awareness are vital to overcoming differences and to being able to effectively lead people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, especially within the U.S. Army. Leadership is not only a tactical skill but an ethical one as well.
In terms of moving forward, these insights will directly affect how I do both. I will be able to make use of these concepts and frameworks to help me create inclusive environments in which people of different backgrounds and experiences feel welcomed and valued. I will be able to more easily and more readily practice moral judgment and lead with humility. I want to be the kind of leader who listens before speaking, seeks to understand before being understood, and acts out of justice, not of expediency. Religious and cultural literacy will be a significant factor for me when it comes to how I build and lead teams, how I will work to respond to and overcome conflict effectively, and how I will honor the inherent humanity of those with whom I serve and lead. I believe this will not only support me as I continue to grow but also help me build trust, cohesion, and ethical excellence in the future.