Hockey players Nikita Klinisovs (' 19 ) and D . J . Mulhern ( BS ' 17 ) undergo “ spiritual conditioning ” with Coach Ray Silverman .
SPIRITUAL ATHLETES
Engaging Students in The Ten Commandments
By Sasha Silverman
Back when Moses revealed the Ten Commandments , life looked a little different . Teenagers rode on donkeys for transportation and got their water from wells in the ground . So , could those words engraved in stone , so many thousands of years ago , possibly have meaning to today ’ s hip college students ?
Reverend Ray Silverman , Ph . D . says , “ Absolutely , yes .” Today , students in Ray ’ s class , Advanced Religious Ethics , study how the Ten Commandments appear in various major world religions and continue to represent the core of moral living . Ray thinks of his students as “ spiritual athletes ,” so he invites them to call him “ Coach .” Ray says , “ When I get ready for class , it always feels like a new game , coaching a group of people I love .” Students seem to be catching on to Ray ’ s excitement , as it has become one of the College ’ s most popular courses .
Testimonials from the Class Alexandra Petion ( BA ’ 13 ), who comes from a Baptist background , said , “ Before taking this class I never imagined that learning the Ten Commandments could help me do major self-improvement . This religion class — as a matter of fact the entire Bryn Athyn College experience — is allowing me to become the person I someday wish to be !” She added , “ I wish other schools would offer this course so that their students could see what they are missing out on !”
Quentin Brock ( BA ’ 12 ), who was raised in the New Church , said , “ This class has been a lifechanging experience . I have never shared so much about my life with others . This process of understanding the Ten Commandments in more depth has led to a whole new moral and spiritual code for me .”
Another student , Ian Rose ( BA ’ 13 ), who was raised in the New Church , said , “ I think this course is a must-have for every student . I am certain this course has changed my life .”
Mick Pokorney ( BA ’ 12 ), a Swedish student who began class agnostic , said , “ The class has
By Sasha Silverman
BRYN ATHYN ALUMNI MAGAZINE | 19