By Lauren Roberts
l-roberts@onu.edu
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, Thomas Hunt shared his religious beliefs and experiences with the students who attended the Ohio Northern Faith Lift.
Thomas Hunt joined the ONU faculty in 2008 as chairperson of the music department. Before arriving at ONU, Hunt played the French horn in several European symphonies. In 1987 he returned to the United States and held teaching positions at Trinity College, Waldorf College and now at ONU.
Hunt was raised in a family that didn’t go to church. While teaching music at Trinity College, he was asked to help with the music at the local church. Eventually his help with the music led to him being on the worship committee.
Hunt’s work with the church led to his decision about becoming a Christian in his late twenties.
Hunt considered himself to be an Evangelical Christian for 20 years, and then he converted to Catholicism. Because of his ties to the Catholic Church, Hunt was no longer allowed to work at Trinity College.
Hunt didn’t just wake up one morning and decide he was Catholic. He did a lot a research before he made this life decision. He struggled with his decision because he knew if he was Catholic, not only would he be sacrificing his job, but there was more he would lose.
Hunt said, “It was a hard decision because I knew if I didn’t tell anyone my kids would be able to go to college for free. I couldn’t go to sleep at night if I didn’t tell the truth.”
Although Hunt converted to Catholicism, he still has great respect for all the different sects of Christianity.
“All of the sects of Christianity have similarities. Catholic and Orthodox are very similar. Protestantism has some similarities but it doesn’t have the same connections as Catholicism and Orthodoxy,” Hunt said. “I think it’s great that Evangelical Christians are so enthusiastic about religion. I think Catholics should do the same.”
Hunt was asked about his views on the current direction of Catholicism and he is confident that there won’t be much change in the religion.
“In 2004, John Paul II said that the religion will not change. Women will never be ordained.”
When Hunt was asked about the comparison of faith and reason he said, “When it comes to believing Jesus died for your sins, you can’t know that on your own. God has to give you that knowledge. Sometimes you have to have a reason to believe. Other times you believe and find the reasons.”