Faith in Secular Democracy: Pepperdine Students Grapple With Morality
March 12, 2026
As young students at Pepperdine walk a life of faith, they are sometimes faced with navigating hard questions in a secular world. The University offers an educational experience that takes both a Christian faith-framed and religiously diverse approach to explore identity in a changing world, said John D. Barton, former director of the Center of Faith and Learning, in a 2019 lecture.
While attending Pepperdine, undergraduate students have opportunities and requirements to participate in a variety of diverse chapels, Religion courses, interfaith organizations, worship services and other activities to grow in their spiritual journey. A Christian education plays a role into how young students foster values such as love, justice, morality and integrity in a secular society for a well-prepared life, according to the Journal for Freedom of Conscience.
