<p>Anyone have thoughts about how comfortable an environment St. Olaf is for atheists and agnostics? It sounds like a terrific school in a number of ways, including the fact that it is anchored by strong values. I'm just wondering how seriously I should think about it as a contender for my daughter's list, as she is an atheist (of the live-and-let-live variety). She still talks about the time several years ago when a couple of her Lutheran friends tied her to a chair and forced her to watch Veggie Tales (the horror!)</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any insights you can provide.</p>
<p>We really fell in love with St. Olaf when visiting colleges with our son several years ago (sadly, our son did not despite receiving their wonderful scholarship). I can tell you from several visits from the parent perspective, that your daughter would fit right in–most of the student body is very live-and-let-live, whether active in their faith or not. There are a few strident Lutherans in MN (and elsewhere!), but almost all Lutherans tend to be very low-key, maybe even too low-key, about what they believe and sharing it with others. It’s a real gem of a place and if she were my daughter I would do all I could (as a parent) to get and keep it on her list. She will spend time there and see if she feels like it’s a place that is comfortable for her.</p>
<p>Hello! I am a recent St. Olaf alum graduating class of 09, UmYaYa! I can only comment on my experience at St. Olaf, but I hope that it will help your daughter. First of all, St. Olaf is a college of the church, which means that most of the other students she runs into will have a faith of some sort. In my own opinion I am a conservative yet open-minded Christian. I know that I had a handful of atheist friends and a surprisingly high number of agnostic friends, most of whom are deists but its a decent smorgasbord. I had one atheist friend who attended church and chapel with me sometimes because he supports a sense of community and companionship not faith in the Christian God. On the opposite side, I had a friend who is fiercely anti-religion. She is an extremely strong willed individual so it did not faze her when some of the very conservative fundamental Christians crossed her path. Both of these friends added to my St. Olaf experience because they challenged my ideas. She should understand that she will meet people who will be adverse to her beliefs and she should be prepared to debate with those who are open-minded and friendly or smile and excuse herself from those who are not (or if she is like my one friend argue with them until they have to admit god might not exist). As far as faculty goes, most professors encourage you to challenge your belief system no matter what it is.
I guess my general conclusion is that St. Olaf supports a community that continually challenges its members to understand why they believe what they believe. I know that my Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, and Agnostic friends all found a place in the St. Olaf community and would choose to go to St. Olaf if they had to do it again. I know this was long, but I hope it helps. I will see if I can convince some of my non-Christian friends to post their perspectives.</p>