My name is Michael, and in 2005 I had this crazy idea.
I had just started my studies at Simon Fraser University, planning to major in philosophy, and really loving every moment of it. Finally I could study the things that I cared about- ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, all these new and intimidating words that described things that had already been on my mind. None of the practical aspects of a Bachelor of Arts degree mattered to me, I was falling in love with learning.
But soon my interests shifted. After a few courses on different religions I found myself drawn to questions about God and faith, I wanted to read more Augustine, and less Locke, I wanted to hear more versions of the Buddha’s first journey outside of his father’s palace, and less about theories of truth. I wanted more religion. SFU, however, was one of those few campuses in North America that did not have a Religious Studies faculty. Instead it’s various courses on religion were spread throughout philosophy, history, humanities, and anthropology. I began to suspect that if I wanted to learn more about this undiscovered world I would have to do so myself.
And then I had this crazy idea. Why not take an entire year to study some of the largest religions in the world, and not only study them, but adopt their practices and beliefs? Why not try to become a member of each of these religions? So as 2006 rolled around I did just that.
I lasted about a month.
There were various reasons for the first project’s failure, chief among them being personal issues and lack of time. I was trying to balance becoming a believer and being a full-time student and I couldn’t handle it. But as the year drew to a close, and 2007 loomed near, I began talking about the project again with my friends. Not only did they support the idea, a couple of them actually wanted to try it with me.
Fools, I know. But with their help and encouragement, the 2007 Year of Faith was far more successful than the previous year. I actually went and talked to various members of most of the religions. We went to churches and devotional gatherings. We fasted and modified our diets and everyday habits. We got on our knees and prayed. But some months I hardly thought about religion, others I didn’t even visit so much as a roadside shrine. Again, I was still a full-time student, and I couldn’t devote the time necessary to really do the beliefs justice. I still felt like I had failed.
Enter 2009. I have graduated with a joint major in philosophy and humanities, as well as a certificate in religious studies. I have a boring retail job that has nothing to do with my degree, and I am terrified that I have just spent the last few years of my life chasing dreams and shadows. I want to utilize my degree, I want to show that the last four years meant something, that I served myself well during my studies. And at the base of all of this, I really just need something to do.
So in 2010 I will be studying and practicing twelve different religions, one a month, for the whole year.
And this time it will be different.
About Myself
I grew up mostly in a small town in British Columbia called Williams Lake. My second home, however, has always been Vancouver, and so I moved here in 2004 after graduating high school to attend Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. This was where I began to fall in love with books and philosophy. We are still very close.
I enjoy Europe, rain, art, and video games. For more than a few years I had blue hair. I currently work at an undisclosed retail location. It is pretty typical, and I don’t want to be there any longer than I must be. How long that lasts depends mostly on how successful this project will be. I’m crossing my fingers.
If you want to know more, you should ask.
Photo by Andrew Ferguson