A recently released study said college students are drawn toward spirituality as their college experience progresses, but are increasingly more likely to seek this spiritual growth outside of organized religions.
Students interested in spirituality here at LSU often turn to church, but there are many who approach spirituality more broadly.
The study, conducted by researchers at University of California, Los Angeles, was designed to “bring to light the beliefs, behaviors and attitudes of American college students” in regard to spirituality.
A sample of 3,680 undergraduates from 46 campuses across the nation was surveyed during their freshman year. As juniors, they also completed a follow-up survey last year to observe changes in behavior or belief.
The study said spirituality is an important concern for students. More than three-fourths of students surveyed have discussions with friends about religion and spirituality.
One of the most conspicuous findings of the study was the drop in church attendance. Although students professed an increased interest in spirituality in the study, the number that attended religious services “frequently” dropped 22 percent.
Amy Dufrene, an interior design freshman, said her faith brings her structure and comfort, but making it to church can prove difficult for various reasons.
“For me, it was being busy,” Dufrene said.
She said other students may feel as if they have better things to do.
“As long as they’re in touch with God, that’s all they need,” she said.
Adrian Blackwell, a biological sciences junior, attends church regularly at The Chapel on Campus.
“Within a community of people that share my ideals, I find myself encouraged,” Blackwell said.
Blackwell said his “spirituality” affects his life in every aspect.
“It’s a world-view,” he said. “It determines how you react, what you’re going to do with your life.”
Blackwell said on LSU’s campus a lot of students do not really focus on spirituality and personal growth.
“There are a lot of people that are religious,” he said. “But, there is a lot of lip service.”
Josh LaRavia, the college outreach director at the Chapel on Campus, said he has worked at LSU for four years, and the feeling of spiritual awareness has grown since he has been here.
He said students are looking for purpose in their lives, and several factors motivate them to turn to religion to grow in their spirituality.
“I think the biggest is community,” LaRavia said.
He said a church gives students the chance to find refuge and live openly in a comfortable environment.
Jessie Tucker, a political science sophomore, said she considers herself spiritual, but she does not profess belief in any one religion.
“I think it is more about having faith and living your life as a good person,” Tucker said. “Then religion makes itself.”
Tucker said although she was raised in a church, she now focuses on individual spirituality.
“I just try to stand by my morals,” Tucker said.
Tucker said she perceives students at LSU as split between spiritual and religious.
A majority of students, slightly more than 70 percent, trusts in a higher power to provide them with spiritual strength.
Tucker said she believes there is a higher power.
“Something obviously higher than us created us,” Tucker said.
Justin Rayburn, a history junior, said he believes profession in one faith is essential.
“There’s a trend away from organized religion,” he said.
The trend he observes at LSU is a mixture between spirituality and not caring at all.
He said that it is possible that meditation could form the same kind of release, but he said he thinks more is needed for peace in the long run.
“There’s something bigger out there,” he said.
The survey also found that there are strong correlations between spirituality and optimism, sense of personal empowerment, civic responsibility, empathy and racial/ethnic tolerance.
The study will continue next fall with a more in-depth study of changes in spirituality from the point of initial entry to college.