Debating, discussing and being introduced to an array of different religions can benefit MSU's student body.
A study was recently conducted, which involved more than 40,000 faculty at 421 higher education institutions and measured their college faculty members' level of spirituality and how it might integrate into their teaching methods.
The stereotype that university faculty members are not spiritual was opposed through research results said Jennifer Lindholm, the project director and lead researcher on the study.
The study found out that 81 percent of college faculty members in the nation consider themselves spiritual.
Although religion should not be preached to students by any professor at a public university, religious discussion can lead to more open-minded and understanding students.
Promoting discussion about spirituality and religion encourages students to analyze their own beliefs as well as gain a better understanding of others.
The study also showed that 70 percent of faculty believe colleges should not help students develop their spirituality.
But developing a student's spirituality and enhancing a student's tolerance of different religions are two different matters.
Although professors should not necessarily impose their own religious or spiritual beliefs, there's nothing wrong with introducing, explaining and teaching about different religions.
Religion can be a large part of any community and culture and having the knowledge of how a person's religion works can help someone to better understand that person's perspective.
Since religion is so universal, having a broad understanding of a variety of religions can be beneficial in many real-world situations and careers. In a field like medicine, for example, doctors and nurses deal with people who are close to death, and it is crucial that they have the knowledge, ability and empathy to deal with a person and his or her specific beliefs appropriately.
Done right, religion and spirituality can find an educationally relevant seat in the classroom.
