In my high school career, I have taken several different types of Social Studies classes: Global Studies I and II, American History and, (this year) Participation in Government. Through the curriculum of these courses, I have come to realize that the study of different religions is one of the main components necessary to understanding Social Studies.

Religion is such a core and backbone of the way people live that without understanding it, one is not truly able to understand how others live their lives. Similarly, through the study of religion in these classes, I have also been forced to give much thought to my own Roman Catholic faith.

In ninth grade, for example, my classes were very much based around the study of cultures that practiced Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. I had been aware of these religions beforehand; however, I did not know any details on what exactly they were all about.

At the beginning of my ninth grade course, I was taught the beliefs of Buddhism extensively: the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and the everlasting quest for Nirvana. Then came the explanation of the teachings of Hinduism: the pursuit of truth and enlightenment, Karma and Dharma, and, (similar to Buddhism) the idea of reincarnation. We were taught about the beliefs of Islam as well: how Muslims believed in the same God as Christians, but did not believe that Jesus Christ was the savior, and how Mohammed was God’s most important prophet.

Throughout my Social Stud-ies courses, I also came to realize that although these religions seemed so very different, in reality they are not. All of the religions I studied were centered around the belief that we must earn our way to a better place or mindset, whether it be Heaven or Nirvana. They also teach that goodness, wisdom and morality are essential to life.

As I was being exposed to different faiths for the first time, another thought I continuously contemplated was about how people came to believe in one religion or another, and why my family and I were Catholic. I think that this was really an essential step in my faith: How can you justly say that you believe in something if it is the only thing you have ever known? I have since made my Confirmation, sealing the fact that I am a be-lieving Catholic.