Correction appended

The meaning of life was the topic of discussion for various religious groups Wednesday night.

Cathy Yu (sophomore-electrical engineering) and Erin Carroll (senior-sociology), fellows for the Center for Ethic and Religious Affairs, led the discussion. They opened by setting ground rules for participants -- don't interrupt, don't take advantage of others' vulnerabilities, wait to be called on by a facilitator and be respectful.

Each group was given a chance to say something about their religion and then anyone could ask the speaker a question or clarification after they were done.

Yasic Naumenko spoke for the Atheist and Agnostic Association and summarized their beliefs by saying they don't believe in a higher power and each individual has his or her own purpose in life.

"If you really want a purpose, go out and see what it's like to be human," said Naumenkno (senior-physics, math and psychology). "You don't need a supernatural entity."

Narayanan Veeraraghavan spoke for the Vedic society and gave statements on Hindu beliefs about what it means to be human.

"The essential characteristics of human beings is religion," said Veeraraghavan (graduate-chemical biology) explaining a key difference between humans and other life forms. Another difference is the ability to question life.

Dane Peterson (senior-computer engineering) spoke for the Lutherans on campus about the vertical aspect of life, meaning one's connection with God; he also addressed the horizontal aspect of life, meaning one's relationships with others.

The Buddhist organization on campus explained enlightenment as the highest place one can reach, said Niyati Kataria (graduate-business management).

She said the five key beliefs of Buddhism are wisdom, happiness, responsibility, peace and hope.

Melanie Fedri (graduate-higher education) spoke about the newest world religion, Baha'i, which views all religions as one.

At the end on the night, one student asked all the groups about their views on where people go when they die.

No one had a concrete answer -- except for the Atheist and Agnostic Association group.

"You rot in the ground or burn," said Tobi Veselich (senior-physics).

None of the Christian groups mentioned hell, so Rev. Alfred Patterson spoke up.

"Hell is there for people who choose that they don't want to have anything to do with God," Patterson, of State College, said.

Yu and Carroll were pleased with the evening's discussions.

"I'm really happy that everyone was respectful and could say what they wanted without being interrupted," Yu said.

Correction: This article incorrectly identified the beliefs which Narayanan Veeraraghavan spoke about. He spoke about Vedic beliefs.