Double Liminality

Is religion a choice? Some perceive religion as a static part of their identity that is committed to their culture's traditions; others perceive religion as dynamic, a belief system that they choose to reevaluate. At Brandeis University, which is predominantly Jewish, religion becomes part of everyday conversation and lifestyle. The conspicuous nature of religion at Brandeis invites students to reevaluate the role of religion in their life. I have found three groups of students at Brandeis: 1. Those who were raised in a certain religious tradition and without questioning it, continue in that practice throughout college, 2. Those who set the question of religion aside and do not engage in any religious/spiritual practice during college, and 3. Those who choose to re-evaluate their religious practice in light of how it aligns with their value system because of a long-term dissatisfaction or because the college environment present such an opportunity and they feel free (intrinsically) to do so. My study focuses on the latter category: those who perceive religion as unbinding, and as a result, choose to explore more than one religious/spiritual practice.