Interfaith Student Council wraps up fourth year of discussion dinners at Dean Sturgeon's home

By Alexa Brown | April 26, 2016 -- This month, the Interfaith Student Council hosted its sixth discussion dinner of the year at Dean of Student Life Al Sturgeon's residence. The program, now in its fourth year, has included participants who identify as Atheist, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Latter Day Saints, Christian, and more. The group averages about twenty people per meeting, helping provide a unique range of diversity from which to learn.

According to Sturgeon, IFC and its members seek to provide a safe place for the exploration of faith, religion, and what that looks like to individuals from different backgrounds. Earlier this year, Sturgeon told the Pepperdine Graphic, "he goal … is to discuss spiritual life at the School of Law and to 'get to know one another across religious lines.'"

Each meeting sought to ensure a mentality where any and all questions were welcomed and respected. Topics were selected for each meeting to get discussion flowing, including:

• What is your faith and how has it affected your decision to attend law school?


• How does your 'birth religion' differ or accord with your personal feelings of religious experience (i.e. were you born into your religion, or did some thing or event compel your faith)?


• What is a practice that holds meaning for you and your faith?


• How does your faith determine selection of spouse/dating practices?


• How has your faith caused or prevented conflicts with people of other/no faith?


• What is the one/most powerful message your religion has for the world?