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EtCetera USC accommodates religious diversity by Mackenzie Clements Staff Writer Herb Silverman, a professor at the College of Charleston, is an atheist. > Because of that, when he tried to become a notary public for South Carolina, his application was denied. In 1996, Silverman, with the help of the American Civ il Liberties Union, took his case to the state Supreme Court, hoping to win rights for atheists in South Carolina, a “Bible Belt” state. According to the S.C. Constitution, “No person who denies the existence of the Supreme Being shall hold any of fice under this Constitution.” Silverman won his case, and it’s now illegal in every state to deny public office to atheists. But the South still has a reputation. It’s known for grits, for “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am,” and for hot summers. It’s also known for being deeply, fundamentally Christian - some thing that can be intimidating for non-Christians and Chris tians alike. Nursing sophomore Laquisha Stokes thinks Christianity is so important in the South because tradition and family are • equally important. “The South is majority Christian, and we’re all about traditions and beliefs,” Stokes said. “I was raised that way. It’s all about how you were raised and what you’ve been exposed to.” Stokes’ parents raised her in the Baptist faith. “I’ll incorporate those religious beliefs into my children,” she said. “It’s an ongoing process.” Stokes said that if her parents had been of another faith, she probably would be, too. On campus, there area variety of religious, organizations for Christians and non-Christians. Hillel is a group whose purpose is “to provide guidance and oiganization for religious, cultural, educational, social wel fare and interfaith activities for Jewish students at the uni versity.” The Muslim Students Association seeks “to provide academic support and services to Muslim students and to pro mote social interaction between students.” Other groups on campus include the Newman Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Latter-Day Student Association and Campus Crusade for Christ. The Newman Club is a group for Catholic students, al though students of other faiths, such as Baptist or Episco palian, have been known to attend meetings. “[Being accepted as Catholic] used to be very, very diffi cult because we were such a minority, but I think there’s more of an openness now,” said Sister Julienne Guy of the St. Thomas More Student Center. Guy thinks it’s particularly hard for people who convert to Catholocism after being raised in the South. “Some [con verts] were saying what a hard time they were having with their parents accepting that they were coming into the Church,” Guy said. “One person’s roommate asked, ‘How’d that hap pen?”’ Overall, Guy agrees that USC promotes religious diversi ty, especially because the student body is composed of so many different religious persuasions. Groups such as the Newman Club allow students to grow in their own faith while being tolerant of other religions. Fiction from page 10 “Just leave her alone for right now,” Laura said, walking back into the house. “Let Carrie have her fun with Ryan.” “Fine, I’ll leave her alone,” he said. But not with Ryan, he thought. James had known Ryan since he was in middle school, before Ryan’s family situation and drug scathed lifestyle had gotten the better of him. Not that they were best friends. Ryan and his hippie-adoring crowd had always I ~ stayed way too far out in left field to care anything about James and his more popular buddies. In ninth grade/though, Ryan did something to leave; a perma nent impression on James’ life, stealing James’ first girlfriend, Miranda, right out from his fin gers. It had been blatant, and out right, like a classic country song. And because the two boys were from opposite sides of the cultural spectrum, James would neveV fQr give Ryan. He had never even con fronted his delinquent counter part, considering him too far beneath his level to bother with. But the anger had stayed with James. Deep inside, maybe, but still a part of him. And now... the pain! “Jesus,” he muttered to himself, stumbling back down the steps of the house. Though not a lightweight, the effect of alcohol and jealousy was doing strange things to James’ state of mind. He knew what he had to do, what the night’s circumstances had forced him to resort to. 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Please call the church office if you plan to attend (782-8080). . ...•' 1 — fRt* \ \ Jlhnft °^OAf4Ct! \ \ smss'^ \ \ **»x£& # wt •X** \ f ,26 2000 *6 P^'12 \ \ Wednesday-^r^aUP.E.Ce«tet T • 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament • r r • Triples Sand Volleyball Tournament • 4 i • Intramural Floor Hockey Finals • ] 1 • Stress-free Carnival Games • Caricature Artist • F T • "Bone Up on Calcium" Milk Mustache Contest • C i • Easter Egg Hunt • Carolina Trivia Contest • | f • Weight Room Open All Night • Spin Art • f l • FOOD • DOOR PRIZES - ALL FREE! • 1 f I ALCOHOL I 0 l } &>jDRUG , ¥_ I < -' programs] c^rotiM\_ ? > All activities are free and open to USC students only! Bring your valid student ID! \ S Actual events may change due to funding or programmatic decisions. This event is paid for with student activity fees. I