<p>I'm an atheist and I was thinking of writing about that belief in an essay, or mentioning it in an interview. I hadn't thought much of it before but I was watching this show a few weeks ago, 30 Days, where an atheist lived with a Christian family, and it reminded me of some interesting facts. 5% of the nation are self-proclaimed atheists, and atheists are the overall least trusted people. Anyone I talked about this too in the area I live in (Northern Virginia) doesn't think much of it, but I was wondering what some OOS admission people might think. Should I refrain from mentioning it to them? I am Hindu, culturally (I participate at my temple), and I could also go with that. However, I don't like lying to myself which is why I think of myself as an atheist. I also think that this could be useful because it isn't a common belief, and that most colleges are probably open-minded enough to not see it as a bad thing.</p>
<p>Good question, as I am an atheist as well, but I would probably not talk about it in the essay. It depends where you are applying, but most schools probably aren't that open when it comes to atheists. Not that they don't like them, but religion, beliefs, and politics are probably best to steer away from in my opinion.</p>
<p>ok think of it this way...if you were your basic christian, would you write an essay about your faith? Honestly, i think alot of colleges wont care. I know of a few people who have written about their faith in essays and it back fired. They either sounded too preachy or like they had a grudge. The other question is, do you want to label yourself as that athiest girl/guy? It might be worth mentioning in a short essay, or if you think it is appropriate somewhere, but dedicating an enitre long essay to it might be risky. If you are part of an atheist organization then you could list it as an extracirricular activity and get it in there that way...but it is part of who you are. Just be tactful about it. If you were to mention how atheism has helped you or factored into an expeirence/decision, etc. then that might work, but I wouldnt make it the main point of an essay</p>
<p>Personally, my advice to you is the same advice that I gave to a young person who wanted to write about her faith - it is a big risk ...because you have no idea who is reading and evaluating your essay and the there is a very good reason why "people say" to avoid talk about sex, politics and religion. Those topics tend to prompt very strong emotions in people.</p>
<p>Writing an essay is a chance to show passion for an area of study. Your essay is a chance to trancend that passion into writing about whatever it is you want to study. While being an atheist may be a large part of your life, your essays are not a smart place to talk about it. Just as well, most people believe in God, thus the odds are who ever reads your essay does to. Declaring you are an atheist may prevent you from gaining admissions even though you are strong applicant, assuming you are.</p>
<p>Good luck though.</p>
<p>I can see what you're saying about distrust of atheists. I'm just like you. Nominally I'm a Hindu, but in practice I'm an atheist. I celebrate Hindu festivals and go to temples with my family, but I do not believe in the religious aspects of Hinduism (or any other religion). When Americans have asked me about my religion, I never gotten a negative reaction when I said I was a Hindu. But the times when I said I'm an atheist, I've often (but not always) gotten some strange look or a question. I've even been asked once "So what's keeping you from being a murderer?" as if atheists are savages and one needs religion to be a decent person with morals. I've found this attitude towards atheists strange. After all, they're Christians and according to Christianity I'm going to hell regardless of whether I'm a Hindu or an atheist since neither one worships the Christian God. Yet the perception of Hindus (or any other theists) and atheists are vastly different. It seems to me Americans are tolerant of other religions - but not the lack of religion.</p>
<p>But still, atheists are not oppressed or anything like that by any measure. I don't see how you could incorporate atheism into a college applications essay. What's their to write about? This is simply not a major issue.</p>
<p>I'm an atheist, but leaning more towards agnostic, either way i don't think you should write about it.</p>
<p>Never discuss religion and politics in a interview.</p>
<p>Thats what I've been told. </p>
<p>If you gonna write an essay about being an Atheist, make sure its not for a college like Norte Dame or Georgetown or BC or Bob Jones.</p>
<p>quote: "I've even been asked once "So what's keeping you from being a murderer?" as if atheists are savages and one needs religion to be a decent person with morals"</p>
<p>That one is kind of scary - I think my reply would be "if the only thing keeping YOU from being a murderer is your belief in God, I think that says a whole lot more about you than my being an atheist says about me."</p>
<p>I don't think it's a good idea. First of all, religion is always risky, and you could rub some admissions people the wrong way. Second of all, they want to see your accomplishments, your personality, through your essays. So you are an Atheist...so what? It's like saying "I like carrots." Well that's nice, but that really tells the college nothing as to how well you would do in that college.</p>
<p>Now MAYBE you could go into how the belief has changed your outlook on life and helped you grow/mature as a person, but from my point of view it's hard to pull off, especially for a high school senior. I would go with the safe route and just write about something else.</p>
<p>Writing about being an atheist is an absolutely horrible idea. How does being an atheist define you? How is it central to your daily life? It's not. At best, it will come across as an essay about nothing. At worst, you'll seem like a pompous kid who thinks he has all the answers. Depends how you write it.</p>
<p>Think about who'll read your essay. Chances are that you may get someone who will be easily offended.</p>
<p>I thought about writing about atheism, but I found that I just didn't come off sounding like a good person. You can't beat the rationale and warmth into religion in a college essay. Unless you've done something in the name of atheism that's important (ex: protesting, writing to political leaders), then please abandon the topic. Take another route.</p>
<p>if ur applying for an LAC, go for it! But have a valid argument. Most atheists use Occam's Razor much too often (god doesnt exit because it poses the problem of who created god). I might write one for the hell of it (I'm somewhat agnostic) but I'll be sure to talk about quantum physics, natural laws, and role of consciousness, not just simple rhetoric.</p>
<p>I would be very careful with this subject. All the self-proclaimed atheists I know sound very pretentious, and would sound even more so on paper.</p>
<p>Seeing as how atheism is really a complete lack of faith, being extremely passionate about atheism is generally considered really weird.</p>
<p>I don’t think it all that exciting to write about any religious beliefs, even atheism.</p>
<p>My AP gov book had a poll about who people would trust to be prez. first were protestants, then catholics, then blacks, jews, etc. homosexuals were slightly above atheists. it shouldnt hurt you unless you apply to notre dame, but who knows.</p>
<p>read Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- it was summer reading for me, and it could inspire you immensely
(if you don't have the time, at least read the first portion part dealing with the narrator's dilemma with religion)</p>
<p>Well, would you guys also say it would be a bad idea to write about religion if it inspired you to do something incredible?</p>
<p>The thing about writing about faith is that it can be motivational and inspirational. Colleges like motivated individuals.</p>
<p>No one is motivated by how much they don't believe in something.</p>