Think Tank, a discussion group at Southern Adventist University, has become a LifeGroup. The group meets every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Psychology Lab in Summerour Hall. Psychology majors Curtis Cooper and Isabella Voignier run the group and facilitate conversation regarding religion, philosophy and psychology.
“The overarching idea of Think Tank is dialogue over debate,” Cooper said. “We have people coming from different ideological backgrounds. Some people are conservative, some are liberal, and it’s been neat to have respectful discussions with different perspectives brought up.”
Think Tank is open to all students and faculty to express their opinions about different topics. The group is designed for all voices to be expressed and heard.
“[Think Tank] was in response to the idea that a conservative campus has to all think one way,” said Cooper. “Regardless of how uniform we might think we are, we all have different opinions.”
So far the group has discussed thought experiments, moral dilemmas, masculinity and femininity, and the psychological concept of nature vs. nurture. Religion is often brought up within each topic. Cooper and Voignier remain open to suggestions about what topics to discuss within the group.
“I think it’s always important to have conversations in a safe space about things that can be divisive,” Psychology Club President Lindsey Bonilla said. “We aim to come as genuine and honest as possible, so people are able to understand each other’s perspectives.”
Many students have voiced their support for the LifeGroup. The group has around 15 students that attend regularly.
“My favorite thing about Think Tank is that it’s a no judgment zone. You walk in and know that you’re not being judged on your opinion,” said psychology major Keith Chase, a regular attendee of Think Tank.