Author Archives: Stephen Gikow

In keeping with its mission to promote interfaith tolerance and appreciation, Yale’s Multifaith Council added five new members shortly before spring break. The council gives students of different religious beliefs the chance to come together to discuss ideas pertinent to religions world-wide. The group has over a dozen undergraduate members representing about seven different religions, »

Students sit cross-legged on the edges of their cushions, backs straight and heads tilted slightly downward. Their gazes are aimed at the floor, just past the small container of burning incense. As their eyes move in and out of focus, the meditators try to concentrate on their breathing to clear their minds. “We provide a »

Hartford Seminary Islamic Studies professor Ingrid Mattson discussed the role of women in Islam at a Trumbull College Master’s Tea Thursday. The talk was one of several events hosted by the Muslim Students Association to celebrate Islamic Awareness Week. MSA political action co-chair Arafat Razzaque ’06 said the MSA hopes to educate the greater Yale »

In the past decade, Muslim communities have grown significantly across the nation. Yale is not an exception. As the Muslim student body continues to expand, the Muslim Students Association has grown. As the only Muslim student organization registered through the Yale Chaplain’s office, the MSA has worked to accommodate members of the University’s Muslim community »

Fliers bearing the Ten Commandments and a note supposedly written by Yale University Chaplain Frederick Streets circulated throughout rooms in Linsly-Chittenden Hall early this week. The fliers contain a note apparently signed by Streets urging professors to take class time to discuss the effect of the Ten Commandments on their personal lives. Streets said Thursday »

James Ponet admires Yale’s Jewish students for their adventurousness. “One of the wonderful things is that the Jewish students do a lot of experimenting,” Ponet, Yale’s Jewish Chaplain, said. The Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life is home to many denominations. Reform, conservative and orthodox services — all student-led — are held there, as well »

Stephanie Urie DIV ’02 filed a lawsuit last week against the University for allegedly failing to protect her once she came forward with sexual abuse allegations against Theology and African-American Studies professor Gilbert Bond in 2002. “I am saddened by having to take this serious and public step in asking for Yale to adhere to »

The St. Thomas More chapel can seat up to 350 people, yet both Sunday Masses are standing room only, said Father Robert Beloin, the church’s pastor. “When I first came here 10 years ago, the chapel was half full for both Masses,” Beloin said. “The anti-religiosity on campuses has definitely faded in the past decade.” »

The public has responded viscerally to allegations of sexual abuse against priests in the Catholic Church in recent years. Last weekend, the issue came closer to home for some when a New Haven priest resigned from the church. In response, some Catholic Yale students said they think it is time to find a way to »

While serving as Yale University chaplain, the Rev. Frederick Streets has been active both internationally and locally, participating in the Harvard University Program in Refugee Trauma as well as serving as interim master of Trumbull College last year. He is now delving into another area of public service. Streets recently joined the 27-person National Committee »

When thousands of college students come together in a gymnasium, it is usually to cheer for their team. But last month about 20,000 Christian students from universities around the world gathered at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s basketball court for a different reason — to share their faith experiences. Participants in the Urbana Conference, »

Professor Robert Wilson was named the new Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Divinity School Wednesday. Wilson, who holds the Hoober Professorship of Religious Studies, will replace professor David L. Bartlett, who recently stepped down after 10 years on the job. “I thought this was a good opportunity and it’s a key time in »