Spiritual Alliance leader promotes unity through alternative faith based group

Jennyfer Keohane begins each workday by sending her husband off to work and helping her two autistic children get ready for school.

Her day consists of going to class, working on her homework, teaching dance classes and organizing the only religiously diverse student organization on campus — the East Texas Spiritual Alliance.

As a New York native, Keohane said she broke away from her Pentecostal faith after witnessing a “powerful shadow” of social hatred within the ghettos of Brooklyn.

“My whole reason to break away from Christianity was the large amount of hatred coming from the church,” Keohane said a sophomore journalism major. “I don’t like it when people call themselves Christian and they don’t act Christ like.”

She now classifies her spiritual belief system as neo-pagan. Within her faith, she believes in one deity composed of both Mother Earth and Father Sky.

After committing to her new faith more than 13 years ago, Keohane said she believes she is a social outcast as a student because of her unique fashion sense and her short-cropped, dyed hair.

Keohane said her faith and convictions spurred her and four other students, which included two Buddhists, one Wiccan, and two Christians to begin the organization originally named the Buddhist Student Alliance.

Keohane said the group changed the name to the East Texas Spiritual Alliance to further promote a concept of unity.

Keohane said there are only two rules in their organization: each member must learn about other member’s religious beliefs, and members are prohibited from attempting to convert others.

“Our goal is to unify people regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation,” Keohane said. “No matter where you are, you are welcome here.”

She said her parents raised her to accept other cultures and naturally embraces and accepts diversity.

However, her upbringing also has opened her eyes to see how others do not share the same accepting morals and judge others for their beliefs and appearance, she said.

“It’s (social norms) a way to put a veil on the caste system,” Keohane said.

She said the goal of the ETSA is to foster an environment where students can talk about issues that bother them without worrying about personal judgment.

“People don’t learn and grow in a hostile environment,” Keohane said.

Keohane said meetings allow members to wipe away feelings of anger within an environment of love, fun and understanding.

During a regular meeting organization members discussed or planned future meetings along with any negative or positive social situations they may have encountered during the week.

Keohane said since members of her organization have non-traditional beliefs, they are often criticized and judged because of their faith.

She said the organization has regular seminars to educate members of varying faiths and beliefs to eliminate any stereotypes or misconceptions commonly associated with a particular faith.

By Ashlie Osburn Staff Writer