VIDEO: SSA gives a test of faith

Secular Student Alliance quizzes students on world religions

BY KAYLA PRASEK
THE VOLANTE

To test University of South Dakota students' knowledge of religions around the world, the Secular Students Alliance held a Test of Faith Wednesday. "We came up with the idea after reading psychological surveys about religion," junior Dave Kvilhaug, SSA vice president, said. "The surveys said that the people who usually knew the most about different religions were those who declared themselves to be agnostic or atheist. We wanted to see if that was true." Students who participated first spun a wheel which had several different world religions. A question was then asked about that religion. If a participant answered a question correctly, he or she was awarded a prize. If a question was answered incorrectly, the student was given a chance to answer another question. Kvilhaug said the group thought it would be beneficial for both students in the group and those who just wanted to participate in the event. "It's beneficial for members as it's an avenue for us to toss around ideas," Kvilhaug said. "For other students, it allows them to see how much they know and gives them an opportunity to learn more." Kvilhaug said the Test of Faith event was moderately successful. "The students certainly aren't coming out in droves, but we have had about 15 students participate," Kvilhaug said. "However, that is more than most events we have hosted in the past. We have hosted films and nationally known speakers in the past, and they have all been met with poor attendance." Junior Taylor Barstow said she decided to participate in the Test of Faith because her friends are members of SSA. "I think this definitely encourages being open-minded," Barstow said. "I think it was a good chance for students to understand more about other religions." Junior Teniesha Kessler said she participated in the event because she is a member of SSA and was aware it was going on. "We wanted to promote awareness about other religions," Kessler said. "It's a good way to blend fun and academics."

Reach reporter Kayla Prasek at Kayla.M.Prasek@usd.edu.

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