<p>How will an atheist fare in Fordham University? Since it prides in being the 'Jesuit University of New York'. </p>
<p>Not an issue. It’s pretty much Live and let live.</p>
<p>Not a problem as long as you are respectful. People of all religions as well as atheists/agnostics attend Fordham. You do have to take 2 theology classes and 2 philosophy classes as part of the core.</p>
<p>The real question is how will YOU respond to them? Are you respectful and tolerant of people with deep faith? Are YOU coming with an open mind, open to perhaps an epiphany? There are many stories, both recent and biblical, that involve atheists becoming believers through their search to disprove the existence of God. </p>
<p>Nobody will try to convert you. But you will be engaged in conversation in the dorms and in classes. Nobody will force you to go to church. </p>
<p>Fordham is Catholic and Jesuit, but its a university open to all qualified applicants who come from various backgrounds, belief systems and parts of the country/world. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, Protestants and Catholics at Fordham. It is approximately 60% catholic. </p>
<p>Btw, Theology is one of Fordham’s known strengths. Its a stellar department. And yes, atheists have majored in Theology! Come with an open mind and open heart. </p>
<p>You aren’t going to change them. If it will bother you to have crucifixes on the walls, to have celebrations begin with a Mass or grace said before meals, don’t go there. If you plan to be on a sports team, expect prayers to be part of it (although you do not have to participate). Expect everyone at the school to be more than excited if the Pope wants to stop by, and know that some of your tuition dollars are going to be spent on religious items. Letters from the school will have religious content sometimes, even if it is just in the signature block.</p>
<p>People make the mistake in thinking that BC and Fordham and Notre Dame are not religious based schools because they are big and well known, but when push comes to shove, the religious aspect will win. Not only is the Pope catholic, he’s also a Jesuit!</p>
<p>I don’t know any atheist who go around searching to disprove the existence of god. That would be as strange as a Catholic who is searching to disprove Islam. What a serious waste of time. I believe the OP was concerned about the Fordham community acceptance of his/her beliefs. My assumption is the concern involves the willingness of the community to allow an atheist to remain an atheist without serious proselytizing attempts. I find that an atheist’s beliefs are reaffirmed through attending mass and the other religious rituals. However, the confrontations and proselytizing can become unbearable. It is my understanding, through the stories from colleagues, that Fordham provides an experience that is not religious other than the required classes and prayers.</p>
<p>I think there’s a continuum of personal belief. My daughter told me she didn’t want to go to a college with religious symbols in the classrooms so she didn’t apply to any Catholic colleges. But of course others may not agree.</p>
<p>Of all the Catholic orders, the Jesuits are the most tolerant and open to questioning and discussion. There are many Catholic Us where an atheist would be uncomfortable - there are some where anyone other than a Catholic would be uncomfortable. But not at a Jesuit school. As others have said, will you be comfortable knowing that you’re paying to be part of an organization whose foundations are religious, but that will not look to convert you or denigrate your beliefs (or lack of beliefs)? If so, you’ll find a school like Fordham has a lot to offer.</p>
<p>I dont think there are a lot of crucifixes in classrooms at Fordham. In fact there was criticism when they took some down. Nobody says grace before meals as a matter of tablemanners. its a personal decision and often done in silence. I’m a parent. I’ve eaten in the cafeteria many many times while visiting. Never have I seen people saying grace out loud. Pope Benedict came to New York several years ago…he didnt go to Fordham but to nearby Yonkers (to a seminary where he stayed during his visit). Several Fordham students were selected to go to the Seminary to see the Pope in a somewhat large private audience, which was nice. They avoided the Yankee Stadium throngs. Pope Francis is coming to New York in 2015. We dont know if he will visit Fordham or not. We are hopeful. </p>
<p>Frugal: I know a lot of atheists who are spending a lot of time and energy trying to disprove God…its going on every day in science and medicine. Its part of their agenda. Not a value judgement just a statement of fact. But there are several books out, written by former atheists who are now believers, who describe their epiphany while searching for proof that God doesnt exist. Faith is a personal journey. Nobody will push it on you or anyone at Fordham. But if you seek to understand others (what college is all about) you will come with an open mind and explore. </p>
<p>The only people I recommend to go elsewhere (and not even apply to Fordham, BC or Notre Dame) are the ones who are truly hostile to religous belief and are what I call “angry atheists.” They are better off at a state school venting there.</p>
<p>I guess I haven’t hung out with those atheist. But then again, I am in the bible belt. The moment someone mentions evolution, natural selection, or anything beyond 6000 years ago, they are seen as heretics. </p>
<p>More perspectives: <a href=“Jesuit - Fordham University - College Confidential Forums”>Jesuit - Fordham University - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Fordham is a very old school founded by a religious order. There are many top private schools (and some public) that were founded by a religious order. 106 of the first 108 US colleges were started on the Christian faith. Look at the histories of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, William and Mary, Dartmouth, UPENN, Rutgers, Brandeis, Boston University, Syracuse, Wake Forrest, Williams, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Amherst, Emory and many, many more. Would you avoid a fine school just because it once had a religious affiliation? Yes Fordham has a strong Catholic background, but it does not require any practice of any student, if anything they have open dialog should you wish to partake. As stated here, Fordham is about 60% Catholic, so a healthy 40% is not. I think you would be very comfortable being part of the 40%</p>
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A serious waste of time, but many people do actually go around wasting their time this way. It’s quite sad really.</p>
<p>Nothing from the OP’s posts show that he/she is like that though, so it seems irrelevant here.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, Fordham is pretty open. It was on my list of colleges when I was applying, and I’m Muslim.</p>