THURSDAY, MARCH 14. 2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Service important part of religion
By Maggie Koerth
Kansan Staff Writer
The goal of all religions is to provide answers. In order to gain a better understanding of what people believe, the Kansan features a Question of the Week where we ask members of various religions a particular moral or ethical question. We hope the answers will illuminate the differences and sometimes surprising similarities between the beliefs of different people.
Q. "How important is service to others to personal salvation, enlightenment or growth?"
A. Justin Herrmann, Topeka senior
President of KU Baha'i Club
MICHAELLEONARD //KANSAN
"Baha's believe that service is essential to both salvation and enlightenment. We believe that words are worthless unless backed up with actions.
Justin Herrmann, Topka senior,
President of KU Bahal'i Club.
We also believe that work done in the spirit of service is a form of worship. From the Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), 'Every individual, no matter handicapped and
limited he may be, is under the obligation of engaging in some work or profession, for work, especially when performed in the spirit of service, is according to Baha u'llah a form of worship. It has not only a utilitarian purpose, but has a value in itself, because it draws us nearer to God, and enables us to better grasp His purpose for us in this
Having said that, service, with regard to salvation, is worthless unless it is backed up by faith. By faith I mean a belief in God."
world.'
A. Benedict Kemmerer, Walldorf, Germany, graduate student
Liberal Christian and agnostic
"To me, service is at the heart of Christianity. Together with forgiveness, it is perhaps the central message that I took away from the Bible. But the wonderful thing about service is that it does not require a particular faith. Service enriches us and those around us no matter whether we are atheists, agnostics, Christians, Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists. All that is required is a love of mankind."
Of course, to Christians, there is an additional meaning. Service is a way to connect with God, with the spiritual within us and in others, a way to follow Jesus' example and to do God's will.
Service is not talking, service is not chanting, service is not thinking, theorizing, believing. Service is faith in action. Through service Christians are called
MICHAELLEONARD/KANSAN
Benedict Kemmerer, Waldorf Germany graduate student, Liberal Christian and agnostic.
upon to make a difference in this world here and now, to work for peace, justice and the dignity of every human being."
Contact Koerth at mkoerth@kansas.com.
After Sept.11, visas hard to get for students' loved ones
By Leah Shaffer Kansas staff writer
People from the Middle East are having problems entering the United States to visit. Not being able to get visas has caused problems for University of Kansas students, their friends and their families.
Abdullah Abhatlan, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, junior, returned to the United States this semester without his roommate, a fellow Saudi Arabian. The roommate, whose name Abhatlan did not want printed, is stuck in his home country for a semester while waiting for a student visa renewal.
Abhatlani said that it took more than a month for him to receive his own visa and that his roommate would be able to return to the University by summer.
friend didn’t.
"I don't know why he got stuck there."
Abhtatlani said. "He has no problems.
He's an honest guy."
Before Sept. 11, the process of obtaining a visa was much faster. Abhatlani said. But he said there was no reason why he received a visa on time and his friend didn't.
Joe Potts, director of international student services, said that since November, U.S. consulates began requiring a 20-day waiting period for background checks on men from certain Middle Eastern countries who applied for visas. Potts said a common reason for rejection was that the applicant happened to have the same name as a person suspected of terrorist activity. He said that problem could be fixed, but it took time and the security-check process could not be rushed.
in process could not "We did tell students that went home for break that the renewal process could take
time." Potts said.
He said there was nothing International Student Services could do to help students who were caught up in the slow application process.
"The only thing they can do is apply early," he said.
Sally Shamieh, a graduate student from Beirut, Lebanon, said her fiancé in Lebanon wanted to apply for a student visa, because he could not get a visitor's visa in Lebanon.
Lebanon.
Potts said there were two types of visitor's visas: a tourist visa and an exchange visa. The tourist visa is usually issued in increments of 30 days. An exchange visitor visa can be any number of lengths, from a few months to a few years. Shamieh's fiancé did not try before Sept. 11 to obtain either type of visa.
type of vise.
"It usually hard to get a visa, but after Sept. 11 they can reject you without giving a reason." Shamik said.
She said it was going to be hard for her fiancé to obtain the visa, because he was a male in mid-20s from the Middle East, similar to the Sept. 11 hijackers. She said if his visa was rejected once, it would be even harder to obtain one later.
even harder to obtain. Shamieh said she had a Palestinian friend who was getting married in the United States, and not a single member of her family could make it because they could not get into the country with visitor's visas.
"After Sept. 11, things are going crazy," she said. "I completely understand, but it's not very fair."
Contact Shaffer at lshaffer@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Warren.
Stranded students find few options in Lawrence during spring break
By Lauren Beatty
Kansan staff writer
For students not traveling to far away, exotic locales for spring break. Lawrence offers a few options to entertain the stranded.
options to entertain the staff Jeff Johnson, manager of the Cadillac Ranch, 2515 W. Sixth St., said his establishment was staying open while some other bars closed for the week.
"It's the same as the school year," he said. "We don't slow down."
don't slow down.
If students prefer a quieter evening and want to catch up on some of the Oscar-nominated films they've missed, Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., will be showing Gosford Park and In the Bedroom during the break.
Cindy Kroll, box office attendant at Liberty Hall, said two concerts were also happening during the break that could draw a sizable crowd of spring breakers: Wu-Tang Clan on Saturday and Less Than Jake on Friday, March 22.
Yet students stuck in Lawrence may not have any time for fun. Daina Jablonski, Overland Park junior, said while she was going home, her friends weren't so lucky.
And students can look forward to the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday. The parade winds its way down Massachusetts Street beginning at 2 p.m.
"I know a lot of people who are staying to work," she said.
Contact Beatty at lbeatty@kansan.com. This story was edited by Gillian Titus.
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