Hopkins students identify with a wide distribution of religious denominations. From Zoroastrian to Roman Catholic to agnostic, Hopkins is rich in religious diversity.
Within the 2005-2008 sample class, a poll of the distribution of Hopkins undergraduates by faith group -- where 2,915 students out of 4,055 registered are represented -- shows students identifying with one of over 40 different faith-based groups.
While there are groups that show larger representation than others -- of the polled student body 30.09 percent were Roman Catholic and 13.65 percent were Jewish -- the spread of the many religions represented, such as 7.31 percent Presbyterian USA, 2.02 percent Buddhist, and 6.07 percent Hindu, is a testament to Hopkins' diverse student body.
Several on-campus organizations and individuals, including the Interfaith Council, Campus Ministries, Campus Ministries Advisory Board and the University Chaplin, strive to celebrate Hopkins' religious diversity through education, sponsorship of programs and the creation of a community of religious understanding.
The Interfaith Council is made up of undergraduate Hopkins students of different religious affiliations who work in conjunction with the Interfaith Center and Campus Ministries. The group serves, according to its mission statement, "to sponsor and work towards establishing a cooperative community spirit among religious groups on the Hopkins campus and to dispel the myths and misunderstandings others may hold about various religions, faiths and belief systems."
The Campus Ministries are composed of religious leaders associated with Johns Hopkins University and the Campus Ministries Advisory board. Facilitating religious services in their respective faith, the ministries also work together, like the Interfaith Council, to promote the strength of a religious community at Hopkins.
A clear goal of the Interfaith Center is to establish awareness of religious diversity in the Hopkins community and beyond. The programming of the Interfaith Center reflects this goal. Biannually, the Interfaith Council hosts the Open Your Eyes banquet, which features a mix of several religious groups that are chosen to present their religious traditions.
Another annual program sponsored by the Interfaith Council, Campus Ministries, and student representatives from Hopkins religious organizations, is "Open Hands Open Hearts: Exploring Faith Traditions." This initiative will feature a series of programs to discuss topics of religion and faith.
In addition, Hopkins students have numerous avenues available to them to become involved religiously on campus, including attending one of the over 20 services conducted by Campus Ministries or joining one of the many religiously affiliated student groups.
Students themselves entertain varying perceptions of religious diversity on campus.
"I feel like there is no dominant religious presence on campus," said sophomore Cara Merriman. "And, if anything, there is more of a presence from the 'minority' religions such as Buddhism and others."
Sophomore Carleigh Connelly said, "I feel like Hopkins has a pretty diverse student body, and I think that maybe there is a religious social culture that accompanies some of these religious groups. For example, Hillel is really big on campus. Even non-Jewish people go to Hillel because it's fun. Overall, I've met a surprising number of religious students, but I wouldn't describe the student body as highly religious."
