People sometimes say religion is a topic to avoid when talking with friends, but the MSU Wesley Foundation encouraged just this type of discussion Saturday.
The group invited other religious organizations on campus to an event called Hoopla to promote understanding and acceptance between the groups.
"We're not here to say who's right or who's wrong," said Tim Tuthill, a Mason resident and the campus minister at University United Methodist Church. "We're here to come together."
Tuthill oversees the foundation, a Methodist student group that meets at the church at 1120 S. Harrison Road.
Foundation member Amber Schultz coordinated the event, which lasted almost three hours.
Schultz, an elementary education senior, kicked off the afternoon by leading the participants in activities to help break the ice and stimulate discussion.
The next two hours were devoted to a five-person panel, during which people had the opportunity to ask questions about different backgrounds and religions. The panel included members of four on-campus Christian organizations and a student from MSU's Jewish community.
"I have a love for sharing about Christ and the Bible," said Becky Jaeger, a biology senior and Seventh-day Adventist on the panel.
The panel discussed issues, ranging from what made their religions unique to special traditions and customs like eating habits.
Ricky Kamil, a panelist from the Hillel Jewish Student Center, explained to the group some of the specific details about eating kosher foods. The interdisciplinary humanities junior said there are restrictions on eating certain foods together, like meats and cheeses. Eating kosher also is about using certain pots and pans to cook different foods, he said.
When an audience member asked the panel about how the different groups could work together and coexist peacefully, the panelists offered ideas on communicating and having more events like Hoopla in the future.
"Keeping God first will be the glue to hold us all together," Jaeger said.
Tuthill said he hopes the groups will continue to work together in unconventional ways, whether it's cleaning out the Red Cedar River or picking up trash on campus.
Since the groups all have the common element of reaching out and helping others, they collected donations during the event for Haven House.
Haven House, 121 Whitehills Drive, is a homeless shelter and was chosen as the recipient of the contributions for one main reason.
"We didn't want to pick an affiliated religious organization," Schultz said. "Haven House is non-denominational."
Michelle Odinma, an elementary education freshman, said she would be interested in coming to a similar event like Hoopla in the future.
"It's not often that there's an opportunity to get in an open atmosphere and ask questions," Odinma said. "I came because I wanted to support my friend, who is on the panel, and see what this all about."
