God, gods, a living being, the belief in something larger, a spiritual force, a ritual object or a specific tenet: All of these and more are part of a religion.

How, however, do students develop their individual beliefs?

The most common answer would be from parents or guardians. But when do students start cultivating beliefs beyond just family tradition?

Many students participate in various religious youth groups outside of the school.

Senior Michaela Schwartz is a member of the North American Federation for Temple Youth, the youth branch of the Union for Reform Judaism. She is a member of a 10-person executive board that helps plan events for over 200 teens in the region once a month.

According to Schwartz, the group plans programs based off of traditional Jewish values.

“Reform Judaism is a lot about making Judaism more applicable to modern times and choosing which parts of Judaism appeal to you,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz said religion has taught her the importance of education and learning.

“Nothing is really black and white,” she said. “A lot of people associate religion with bigotry and intolerance, but most of my liberal values about social justice and treating others with respect come from my religion.”

Her group, according to Schwartz, does not try to force religion on anyone or tell them what to believe.

“I’ve definitely been encouraged to question my own beliefs and struggle with what I believe in,” Schwartz said.

Senior Alan Peralta is a member of a Catholic group at Boston College that meets on Sundays after church.

“For a very long time, the only reason I went to church was because my family wanted me to,” Peralta said. “It wasn’t until confirmation that I began caring about going to church myself as much as my family did.”

Peralta became a part of this group after his confirmation in freshman year.

Before confirmation, young Catholics must go on a retreat and take two years of Bible study in order to prepare for the event.

“Confirmation is a vow to be a Catholic for eternity,” Peralta said.

According to Peralta, religion strongly defines him as a person, and the group has helped him to develop his own beliefs.

“Although I don’t always believe in everything the church says, it’s a big part of my identity,” he said.

Senior Sam Choi belongs to a Presbyterian Korean church group along with a few others from the high school. Choi said his church group has changed his way of thinking about the treatment of others.

“I didn’t really go to church before, but after I made some friends in the group, I started to go,” Choi said.

The group has provided him with strong friendships, Choi said.

“We can share anything with each other,” he said. “We can share any problems that we are going through with other friends from our group.”

Choi said he goes to church because of both friends and religion.

“The teachers take care of their students really well and support them, and I think my mentor is my church teacher,” Choi said. “He is always willing to pray for other students, and I can feel the support.”

Choi said the group led to a change in attitude for him, and helped him discover his own personal beliefs to live by.

“I care about others more than I used to,” Choi said. “And try not to hurt others.”

Conor Amrien can be contacted at [email protected].