The Center for Spiritual Life dubbed this week Faith Week and dedicated it to the impact faith has (or doesn't have) on our lives.
The week focuses on religion in general, even delving into atheism and agnostic views. Faith Week is the first event of its kind to hit DePauw University.
"I think this week is big on coexistence and diminishing stereotypes," said first-year interfaith intern Kainat Akmal. "After all, the best way to eliminate discrimination is by education."
The week will present opportunities for people to find faith or just to learn about the myriad religions that are represented on DePauw University's campus.
"I think it's important to know that Faith Week isn't just important for people with faith," said Smanik. "Our lead intern has been an atheist for the past two years, and it's really important to note that this week is not just for religious people, but for everybody."
Organizers want the week to get people talking. Event leaders have no problem bringing up hard issues that students may not normally talk about.
"I feel like [religion] is often a topic we brush under the carpet," said Akmal. "I'm hoping this will clear some things up and set people straight; let people feel free to ask questions they normally wouldn't."
Both students and staff host Faith Week with the help of the Compton Center for Peace and Justice and the Women's Center.
The events have been in the works for several months and are organized by Kate Smanik, the director of the Center for Spiritual Life.
Of the 20 events happening during the week, Most of these events take place on campus throughout the year, but Smanik wanted to highlight each one during a special week.
The first event is a Real Talk titled "The Role of Women in Religion" on Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m.
The six interfaith interns will lead the discussion, each representing one of six religious practices: Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Atheism, Christianity and Islam.
"They are going to get together and have a fishbowl conversation," said Smanik. "They come from a really large variety of backgrounds. I'm really interested to hear what they have to say."
The students will discuss the role women play in each of the religions, including their leadership roles and how they are treated.
"Students may have certain stereotypes regarding the different religions," said Akmal, "so we are just there to clear things up."
Smanik hopes the talk will draw new students to the interfaith interns program. The Center for Spiritual Life chooses six new students each year.
The Compton Center interns will put on another event, "Seeking Justice," on Thursday at 4 p.m.
The Compton Center focuses much of its organization into activism work both on and off campus. The interns hope to show how our beliefs influence us to partake in social justice campaigns with their talk. The event will show what stanace different religions take when it comes to social and political activism.
On Friday, members of the DePauw community will have the opportunity to learn about the Jewish religion and their holy day traditions through the Shabbat "Learner's Service." Junior interfaith intern Alex Alfonso is organizing the service.
"I am excited for all of the programming," said Alfonso. "I think it is a unique opportunity for DePauw students to attend structured events catered towards religious literacy and dialogue so that students and faculty alike can have a better understanding of how students define their roles and beliefs within their faith traditions."
On Wednesday, "Meet a Mormon Missionary" will allow students to discuss topics with the Mormon missionaries working on campus. The event will happen at 4 p.m.
"It gives students a chance to hear why [the missionaries] went into missions and about their work," said Smanik. "They are on our campus and they do great work."
Smanik is most looking forward to "Silk Painting, Banner Making with Nancy Katz." Attendees will paint a silk banner that will eventually be used as Intercultural Life's banner.
"I went to a convention and participated [in a similar event] there," said Smanik. "It was really neat because you can't go wrong. You end up with a beautiful piece of work that you had a hand in. I'm not an artist, but I could do it."
This event will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 6.
Other events include bible studies, which Smanik hopes will draw both Christians and non-Christians.
"There is a misconception that you have to be on the same page as the people presenting," said Smanik, "but some of the most meaningful conversations are with those who believe differently than you."
Since this Tuesday and Wednesday are Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, respectively, the two days that begin Lent for the Christian religion, Faith Week came at a perfect time for DePauw's Christian community.
Though each event centers on a different religion, Faith Week hopes to show that though people may have different views, one view is not more important than another.
The program hopes to not only share other religions with those who may not know, but also to educate others on what they entail.
Some students were not informed about the events going on this week.
"I was not aware that this week was even Faith Week," said first-year Larry Lewis.
Smanik hopes the events will bring awareness to campus.
"We don't really know how much this will affect campus," said Smanik. "We just hope it reminds the community of its values and purpose and will remind us that this is a big part of who we are as a community and things like this are discussed all the time."
A schedule of all of this week's the events can be found on Depauw's website for those seeking more information.