UNIFI hosts Faith Forum

It's not every day that an organization hosts an event to discuss what is wrong with itself, but that is exactly what University of Northern Iowa's Freethinkers and Inquirers did on Wednesday, Jan 12.

The event, titled "Faith Forum: What is Wrong with UNIFI?", was designed to stimulate an intellectual discussion where people can share their opinions, no matter how strong, and feel free from ridicule and disrespect.

Known for events like Blasphemy Day and Darwin Week, UNIFI tries to initiate discussion on religion and other beliefs and considers itself an intellectual society.  While many members are atheist or agnostic, there is no strict criterion to join the group other than having an open mind.

Trevor Boeckmann, the president of UNIFI, opened up the forum by posing the presented question, "What is wrong with UNIFI?"  Boeckmann asked members of UNIFI and outsiders alike to share their ideas.

"UNIFI started out as a very small group that prided itself on the intellectual curiosity of the group.  No longer does UNIFI show up to discussions on Charles Darwin and evolution excited and pumped for the conversation," Boeckmann started the conversation.  

Boeckmann went on to discuss how the organization has morphed into more of a social group.  He also presented the idea that perhaps UNIFI should start giving back to the community and show that they can give as much as other religious groups.  Boeckmann also challenged the allegations that UNIFI has been too "in-your-face."

These ideas got the ball rolling for various discussions in small groups.  

One group discussed Boeckmann's point that UNIFI has developed into more of a social group as compared to an intellectual society.  

Another group's discussion centered on whether religious people, primarily Christians, had the right to evangelize and whether UNIFI should share their beliefs with others.  One UNIFI member argued that Christians do not have a right to tell anyone else what to do with his or her soul.  The Christians countered that they believe that Jesus saved their lives, so that they had an obligation to share their newfound belief and save the lives of others by doing so.  

Yet another group focused on the accusations mentioned by Boeckmann that UNIFI was too forward or direct.

"I feel threatened when religion refuses to accept the evidence that supports evolution, keeps members of the same sex from marrying and completely rejects critical thinking," said Alex Popinga, a junior biology and biochemistry double major, in defense of the group's manner.

UNIFI sponsors similar discussions every month in Maucker Union and is hosting Darwin Week in February.