Indiana University. Student Religious Cabinet

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The Student Religious Cabinet existed as a student group at Indiana University from 1938 to at least 1950. The Student Religious Cabinet's purpose was to promote interest in religion, bring about fellowship among students of diverse religious affiliations, and sponsor activities meant to counteract religious and racial tensions.

From the description of Indiana University Student Religious Cabinet records, 1938-1950, bulk 1940-1948. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 714803295

The Student Religious Cabinet of Indiana University was a student organization founded in October of 1938 in order to promote interest in religion and fellowship among students of diverse religious affiliations. The group’s establishment came about as a result of President Herman B Wells’ decision to found the University Committee on Religion in December of 1937. The committee consisted of faculty members, community religious leaders and students from four major religious groups: Catholicism, Christian Science, Judaism and Protestantism. Frank O. Beck, the original Executive Secretary for this committee was an active organizer and participant in the Student Religious Cabinet, which was comprised of representatives from all of the religious student organizations on campus. The purpose of the Student Religious Cabinet echoed that of the University Committee on Religion. Both groups wanted to support and bring about unification and collaboration between all religious denominations represented on the Indiana University campus.

During the group’s existence between 1938 and 1951, the Student Religious Cabinet sponsored a variety of activities with the purpose of dispelling not only religious, but also racial tensions. Sponsored activities included but were not limited to religious conferences and seminars, Sunday morning breakfasts, chapel colloquies, peace rallies and efforts to support military troops during World War II.

In addition to sponsoring a variety of activities, the Student Religious Cabinet also published a weekly publication called The Voice of Religion on Indiana University Campus . This publication consisted mainly of event announcements and a daily schedule of activities sponsored by the group. The Student Religious Cabinet also began publishing The Campus Home Front and Communique when the United States became involved with World War II. These publications focused on building morale on campus and suggesting ways for students to get involved with wartime activities.

During the war years, the S. R. C. centered most of its activities and meetings around the war effort. For example, the group became involved with A War-time Victory for Brotherhood Program, assisted the Army and the Navy by compiling directories of religious organizations, and also organized registration for military trainees who wished to become involved in a religious organization during their training.

There are no records on the Student Religious Cabinet after 1951.

From the guide to the Indiana University Student Religious Cabinet records, 1938-1951, bulk 1940-1948, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Indiana University corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Indiana--Bloomington
Subject
Universities and colleges
College students
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1938

Active 1950

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