Preparing for life by studying religion

One of the topics not often discussed in U.S. universities is the importance of religious understanding and tolerance. William "Chip" Gruen makes the case that study of world religions has become more important asserting that the "Study of the variety of religious traditions around the world makes it abundantly clear that different people operate under different assumptions about the way the world works. To understand their actions, we must also understand their motivations." Perhaps the place to learn about other religions is in the classroom but many students learn more from late night "bull sessions" where different perspectives are explored among friends.