By Cincade Drudge
At a time when overall religious affiliation among young adults is declining, students at Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) who practice faith face unique challenges and opportunities. As national surveys show a drop in religious identity among college students, faith-based organizations on the PFW campus work to foster inclusion and community amid a shifting culture.
According to the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study from the Pew Research Center, religious disaffiliation among young adults may have leveled off since 2019.
However, the levels of disaffiliation remain significantly higher than in past decades, with only 69% describing themselves as belonging to an organized religion compared to 83.7% in 2007.
Additional research from the CIRP Freshman Survey 2019 indicates that the number of college freshmen who identify as nonreligious has risen from about 10% in 1986 to 33.6% in 2019.
Despite a decline in participation in organized religion, faith-based campus organizations continue to serve as spaces for spiritual growth and community.
PFW is home to several religious organizations, including Campus Ministry, Mastodon Catholic, and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. These groups allow students to connect with others who share similar beliefs while also fostering a welcoming environment that promotes belonging and outreach.
These campus organizations are not limited to solely the Christian faith, with PFW also featuring organizations of other faiths, such as the Muslim Student Association, which is dedicated to creating a positive environment for students to learn about Islam.
Zach Gaerte, a student leader and treasurer of Campus Ministry, emphasized the group’s mission.
“Our focus is on building a welcoming community where students can grow in their faith,” he said. “We are open to anyone, regardless of faith or background, and we work hard to create an environment where people feel supported.”
Campus Ministry, a student-led, recognized religious organization on the PFW campus, holds service events, social events, and weekly meetings on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.
“We’ve done events like worship nights, winter retreats, and even a winter formal,” Gaerte added. “All are welcome to join the community and hear us out.”
For religious students, balancing their beliefs with their studies can be troublesome, and finding time for their faith can be difficult.
Kate Landrigan, a Catholic student at PFW, related to this struggle.
“Between exams, projects, and work, it’s hard to set aside time for my faith,” she said. “When you are up till 12:30 doing homework, it’s hard not to feel exhausted.”
Landrigan also noted that some misconceptions about religious students do exist, though not to a large degree.
“Some people assume that all Christians are judgmental, which isn’t true,” she explained. “I’ve also found it difficult to express my beliefs because many of my classmates aren’t religious, which is okay, but it doesn’t stop it from feeling hard sometimes.”
Gaerte, the student leader, also spoke of misconceptions about religious students.
“Some may have the idea that if you are religious, you are judgmental and aren’t accepting of others,” he said. “Everyone is their own individual with their own beliefs, and while there are obviously bad apples in every group, that is not our mindset, and I guarantee you, if you spoke to any of us, we would be willing to hear you out.”
In terms of administrative support for religious organizations and individuals, PFW is generally seen as supportive of religious freedoms and expression. Organizations like the Campus Ministry are treated the same as any other club or recognized group on campus.
“We go through all the same administrative red tape as other organizations and pay for the event space we use just like everyone else,” Gaerte said. “The school has been great about letting us operate, and we are extremely grateful.”
PFW provides space for religious organizations, but faculty members acknowledge gaps in institutional support.
Sherrie Steiner, an anthropology and sociology professor at PFW who teaches religious courses, pointed out that the university lacks a designated interfaith space.
“Some universities provide multi-faith centers where students of all religions can pray or reflect,” she said. “PFW has student organizations, but to my knowledge, there’s no dedicated space for prayer.”
Despite this limitation, Steiner noted that PFW has historically supported students’ religious expression. She recalled a past controversy involving a student play that depicted a Christ-like figure as gay.
“The administration defended students’ rights to stage production, despite some community backlash,” Steiner said.
According to a 2001 ABC News article, officials at the university, then named IPFW, protected students’ rights to put on the play while simultaneously allowing for demonstrators against the play, providing they didn’t carry weapons or signs.
While national trends show a decline in religious affiliation, faith-based groups at PFW continue to boast high engagement with students.
Gaerte, of the Campus Ministry, mentioned that their weekly ministry gatherings usually draw between 60 and 75 students. While the group doesn’t prioritize attendance figures, he noted it’s uplifting to witness strong student engagement.
As religious demographics continue to shift, the role of religious organizations in higher education will likely evolve to engage individuals from diverse faith backgrounds or even those without a specific religious affiliation.
Professor Steiner also spoke of something in a similar vein regarding what religious disaffiliation truly means.
“So as people get younger, they’ve been disaffiliating. Not necessarily spiritual but disaffiliating from formal religious organizations,” Steiner said. “Oftentimes, they have sacred beliefs, but… It’s not affiliated with any specific church,” Steiner said.
At PFW, religious students navigate the challenges of faith in an increasingly religiously disaffiliated environment. While some misconceptions persist and institutional support remains neutral, organizations like Campus Ministry provide a sense of belonging for spiritual students.
As national trends indicate a decline in religious identity, students like Landrigan and Gaerte demonstrate that faith still plays a meaningful role in college life.
“Even if fewer people identify with a specific religion, community will always be important,” Landrigan, a religious student said. “Faith is still a core part of many students’ lives.”