To my knowledge, an inventory has not been taken of the exact numbers of religious associations on campus. However, it has come to my attention that even on a campus as racially, religiously and culturally diverse as mine, everyone feels as though they are the minority at some point.

What I've realized recently, after hearing from several of my peers and friends on campus who differ from me in race or religion, is that we all feel alone. At school, with your family, with your friends or at work, you'll always find someone who disagrees with you on some level. Thankfully, our school does a pretty good job of promoting the idea that we are a family and we have to respect each other, but that can't always change how we feel inside.

But what can we do to help each other not feel so alone? Love each other. I know, I know, this is so cliche. But as a Christian, I have seen this be a big deal. As soon as I arrived here, I jumped into the idea that we are a family and began to see everyone as part of that family. And you always have to love your family on some level, right? The more I get to know people who are not Christians, the more I realize that we're not so different after all. Due to the opportunities I've had at my progressive liberal arts school, I have met amazing people that I never would have expected to become my best friends.

Of course, I would love for everyone I know who isn't a Christian to see the light and experience the joy and hope that I have found, but our job is not to convert people like a religious assembly line. I can tell you from personal experience that loving people and developing a relationship with someone is the best way to gain their trust enough for you to even have a conversation about your beliefs. But don't forget to listen and be open to their beliefs too.

While many Christians in America today have expressed concern that Christians are at risk, there are many sides to every issue. I encourage you, whatever religion you follow, to take the time to think about it from another perspective. You just may find that you have more in common with someone of a different religion than you'd ever expect.