<p>Duke is apparently a Methodist university, but I do not know how serious they are about religion there. For a devout atheist (as in, I'm against religion), would it be a bad idea to apply/I won't fit in, or is religious-ness of the university pretty subdued?</p>
<p>The affiliation with Methodism is historical. The denomination has no governing role; there are no religious requirements of any kind. There are devoutly religious students on campus (of all religions), many who do not participate in any religion at all, and everything in between.</p>
<p>[Duke</a> University’s Relation to the Methodist Church: the basics](<a href=“http://library.duke.edu/uarchives/history/duke-umchh-basic.html]Duke”>http://library.duke.edu/uarchives/history/duke-umchh-basic.html)</p>
<p>Thank you very much. That’s what I was looking for because I had always thought that Duke was considered secular, but recently read that it was Methodist so I became a bit worried. This is good.</p>
<p>There are two times when you will be required to be in the Chapel: convocation before the start of your freshman year, and commencement right before you graduate (I think that’s what they’re called, but I’m not sure). The first is a welcome to the school, and the second is a send-off. You don’t really have to go, but it’s a major landmark of the experience. At both you’ll hear Brodhead give one of his speeches and some other people, but you’ll also have to sit through a sermon by one of the ministers from the Divinity school. It can be kinda awkward, especially when everyone goes silent for prayer. But that’s two experiences in four years where you’ll have a run in with religion, two hours out of 10,000. In between, no one will bother you if you don’t want them to.</p>
<p>Actually, Baccalaureate (the service) is separate from the 2 graduation ceremonies (one is for all graduates, then the diploma ceremony is with your school.) Attendence is certainly not required. </p>
<p>I don’t remember what the deal is for convocation.</p>
<p>Seriously…unless you’re going to go to a bible college, no one cares what you are. Even atheists at most Catholic Universities feel welcomed. </p>
<p>BTW…as an atheist…you say that you’re “against religion.” An atheist doesn’t believe in God, but should be open-minded enough to respect that others may not share an atheist’s views. So, if you expect to have **your **views treated with respect, you need to treat others likewise. (i.e. you would not want to hear that someone is “against atheists”.)</p>
<p>So, if you happen upon some aspect of religious expression…Star of David, a Christmas nativity scene, etc, you should be able to handle that without feelings of disgust or whatever.</p>
<p>I was rather surprised by Duke handing out Bibles at graduation, as it is perfectly secular other than that. Duke’s primary link to the Methodist church is maintained through the divinity school, and even the religion department (in arts & sciences) is careful to maintain secular views. </p>
<p>Most people are rather apathetic toward religion, I think; Catholic masses garner maybe 50 people (which includes people from the outside community), and the Jewish services have around that number, with more for the religious holidays. </p>
<p>It’s there if you want it, for sure – the Freeman Center, Catholic Student Center, CRU, etc. are very active. They are not, however, in your face about it.</p>
<p>The description “devout atheist” is somewhat awkward. “Devout” is a word typically used when describing the level of someone’s religious observance…not lack thereof. But I’m just nitpicking.</p>
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<p>That action is 100% purely for the sake of tradition as I have been told. Every single class of Duke University has been given a bible at graduation since 1924 so they want to keep that tradition alive. Not to make put religion down your throat, but to give a “gift” that every member of every class has received in Duke’s history. And, even if you’re an atheist or non-religious, having a copy of the bible isn’t a terrible thing to have for the sake of learning about the fundamental teachings and following of a huge number of individuals in this country. You certainly don’t have to believe in it. </p>
<p>OP, you will be absolutely FINE if you’re atheist. There are plenty at Duke. Interestingly, the majority of professors and students in the religion department are atheist (note that I said religion department and NOT Divinity School, obviously). Duke is not any more religious than State U besides the Chapel being a symbol for the university and the Duke shield having a religious component. But this obviously doesn’t effect your day-to-day life, or even week-to-week or month-to-month. You have nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>As to the bibles, some people don’t even notice that they’re giving them out. They’re usually stacked on tables right outside the Chapel and staffed by a few students, but with the ton of people milling about after the ceremony, you wouldn’t know they were there if you weren’t looking for them. In other words, they’re completely optional and you’re by no means required to take one.</p>
<p>as a student who attended the sold-out richard dawkins lecture on campus just this fall, you will not have trouble fitting in regardless of your religious affiliation (or lack thereof).</p>