 "Photo: Photo Illustration by Chelsy Lueth")
Religious leaders are sometimes stereotyped or misunderstood in today’s world, but often lead lives similar to lay people. Most religions allow their leaders to marry, and many even have day jobs. Requirements for religious leaders vary depending on the religion and even the denomination, but leaders throughout Manhattan said they feel they live normal lives compared to the people around them.
Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints
"Of course I live a normal life. I have a wife, six kids and a job,” said Sterling Napp, president of the Manhattan area Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints stake. Napp presides over ten congregations in the Manhattan area and said his life is just like any other person living in the Manhattan community.
“Being president isn’t a job. I was asked to do it for a period of time, and after about 10 years, there will be a new president,” Napp said.
He has no restrictions beyond those of other members, which include abstinence from drinking, smoking and extramarital sex. He also has a job apart from his churches. Napp said the most common misconception about the church is that members are polygamists or are bigoted.
“People see us as closed-minded and bigoted, but we don’t feel that way,” Napp said.
Islam
Obair Siddiqui is the president of the Student Muslim Association (SMA) and said he believes there are many misunderstandings about his religion.
“Especially after 9/11, there were so many misconceptions about our religion. One of the aims of SMA is to educate the population about the values of Islam and what our beliefs are,” Saddiqui said.
Saddiqui said a core belief of Islam is that all men are equal and that this concept extends to imams, the Islamic leaders.
“We don’t believe that imams are greater than anyone else,” Saddiqui said. “Anyone can talk to God. The job of an imam is to lead prayer and study the religion more closely.”
Imams of both the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam are allowed to marry and have no more restrictions than other Muslims, said Saddiqui.
Society of Friends
Carol Barta is the clerk of the Manhattan Friends Meeting, and is one of a growing number of female religious leaders.
“A common misconception of Quakers is that there aren’t any anymore, but there are several thriving branches,” Barta said.
Barta said she draws her strength as a leader from her religious values and the testimonies of her Quaker faith, which include peace, integrity and equality.
Because the Quaker faith is not practiced like many other religions and involves a lot of meditation, Barta’s duties include leading meetings, helping with projects and helping new members entering the religion.
“To be a clerk I was elected, and in a few years, when I feel like it’s time for me to step down, another clerk will be elected,” said Barta.
Besides being a clerk, Barta is also a full-time librarian.
Baptist
Rick Neubauer, minister of First Baptist Church in Manhattan said he didn’t always want to be a minister.
“I used to teach and coach at Butler Community College, then God told me it was time do something else. In some ways, it’s similar to being a teacher, just in a different way,” Neubauer said.
Neubauer is married with three daughters and said his family was very supportive for the most part, but some family members were skeptical about the financial aspect of being a minister. He said he draws his strength from being able to share with others the blessed life he and his wife have led and also from his frequent mission trips to Mexico.
Roman Catholic
Father Keith Weber, pastor of St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center, said he was called to the religious life in an unconventional way. He graduated from K-State and worked as a certified public accountant before entering the ministry.
“I began thinking about the priesthood my junior year at K-State, and after working as a CPA for a year, I decided to enter the seminary,” Weber said.
Weber spent five years studying to be a priest and said his family has always been very supportive of his choices.
As a priest, Weber is not allowed to marry, and his housing, food and insurance is provided by the St. Isidore’s congregation.
“After [priests] turns 70, they typically retire, but I think I will definitely stay active after that, maybe on a limited basis. I really love the community,” Weber said.
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
-This however, does not apply to women. Sorry.
Yeah, right up there with L. Ron Hubbard, Ted Haggard, and Fred Phelps. America is full of great religious figures, obviously. Who spiked the punch with Pepsi?
good to see you have some ability at conversing about topics. Maybe this will help with your knowledge and understanding of who Joseph Smith is.LDS Article of Faith #6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. (Ephesians 2:20 "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.")Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844) was the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or “Mormon Church.” A prophet, according to the Old and New Testament, relies on revelation from God to teach the people, and not on his own wisdom or learning.Joseph Smith, as prophet, teacher, and beloved leader of the “Saints” (as members of the Church are called) was the prophet of the “Restoration.” That is, he did not establish a new religion, but restored the ancient Church of Christ. He was able to do this, because he was called of God, given authority directly from God, and he taught truths which he received directly from God. Through his ministry, what was a handful of believers in 1830 (starting with 2 members), has become a worldwide Church (13 million, and growing faster in converts than most others). He accomplished his work without the advantages of schooling (he had a 5th grade level of education), property (worked for a living), or family prominence (small time farming family). The cause of Christ he championed has never taken a step backward.The Prophet Joseph Smith is one of the most charismatic and influential religious figures in American history. Many followed his teachings and joined the Church he founded during his life and after his death (murdered while under "protective" custody), but many others opposed his teachings. The teachings of the restored church seemed heretical, when compared with the teachings of modern day Orthodox priests and Protestant ministers. This is because, after the death of Christ and His apostles, true doctrine had gradually been lost. (or changed from what once was true to be more man-made)
You have a way with words that just are so, so empty. Not much on dialogue, are you? How about explaining what you mean by "pretty out there". As a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have found the doctrines to be very well grounded in Gospel principles.
However, I am glad that I did not.
Religion is an interesting topic for human beings who constantly raise questions in order to find the truth.
I believe each one of us should be able to freely to exercise our agency as our conscience leads us to whatever faith it may be. However, if I am paid for what I believe in or my pay check is depending on my religion, then the freedom of exercising my agency will be limited. As life goes on, my experience may tell me another story about faith that I did not expected to hear. Because my paycheck is depending on my job, I may naturally choose to dishonest to myself in order to continue to get my pay check regularly. It is impressive that the leaders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days have their own jobs to support their families. I hope that other religions will do the same so that there is no conflict of interest related to the topics of religions.
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.