The SLU Theosophical Circle 

 It is my pleasure to introduce the St. Lawrence Theosophical Circle, a brand-new religious studies club! 

Many clubs on campus work in tandem with their respective majors. 

For example, the Environmental Action Organization attracts and builds rapport amongst environmental studies majors like me, Crown Royalties Investment Club for Econ majors, etc. 

We’re here to connect religious studies majors/minors, similar majors and minors, and anyone interested in the field of religious studies. 

Let me explain our vision for a religious studies club next semester! 

Our goal is to expand the religious studies department by connecting individuals who have a keen interest in that type of scholarship, creating a vibrant and inclusive club that fosters intellectual exploration, deepens understanding, and cultivates a sense of community among like-minded students and faculty members. 

Through engaging discussions, potential guest lectures by renowned scholars, study groups, and potential research projects, our club aims to provide a platform where members can delve into the rich tapestry of religious traditions, explore interdisciplinary connections, and gain a comprehensive perspective on the diverse aspects of faith and spirituality. 

Members will also collaborate with other religions organizations on campus to deepen their knowledge, such as partnering with the Islamic Culture Club for their Ramadan dinners. 

Last Tuesday, we held our second meeting (still very informal) in the backroom of Herring-Cole, which really brings in an atmosphere of religious and philosophical exploration. 

We had religious studies major student Max Kipp ’24 presented his SYE about the impact of foreign pilgrimage in Japan. 

In attendance were not just religious studies majors, but a variety of different students from all majors, backgrounds and life experiences. We had an engaging, respectable and fun conversation. A great proof of concept for future meetings. 

One facet of our meetings we have incorporated is, as a group, brainstorming ideas for future meetings. 

Such as what topics we want to discuss, group outings like visiting religious sites in the area, and fun meeting ideas, like having a meeting around a campfire telling ghost stories. 

As a new club, we welcome any and all idea newcomers have to make our club stand out and make it enjoyable for those who attend, rather than fall into a formulaic trap. 

We seek to foster an environment that encourages discourse, critical thinking and respectful exploration. 

We aspire to contribute to the intellectual growth and personal development of our members, while also promoting interfaith dialogue and fostering a greater appreciation for the importance of religious studies in St Lawrence University. 

Together, we can embark on a rewarding experience of thought-provoking discovery and build a close-knit community that cherishes the value of religious scholarship. 

Ultimately, we hope not to generalize religion, but to find and learn the truth it has to offer. 

And I formally invite anyone interested to join us in this journey, it’s going to be a crazy ride, and we hope you tag along.