All of us are probably parents to kids who are queer, oddball, outcasts, “unique”, mold-breakers, ugly ducklings, and/or clowns. Know your kid. Do your homework when researching schools. Go to multiple sources. Hearsay can be dangerous. For every school you can probably find “opinions” that cancel each other out. It’s unfortunate that situations like that posted in #37 still exist. Gather the best information you can and make the best decisions you can - for YOUR child.
@halflokum I remembered that exact issue - I was trying to write a post about it - but couldn’t remember the university. I do know that it was reading about those students experience that prompted me to actually explore how influential the Methodist Church was at BW (answer - not really at all - much more a part of their rich history than a part of the present campus culture - and for the curious - as far as I know - a religion class is not part of D’s required curriculum)
Syracuse also maintains ties to the Methodist Church.
Not MT programs, but many people may not realize that these two top-ranked schools are Methodist:
Duke
Emory
Other top 20 schools with religious affiliations include Notre Dame and Georgetown (Catholic).
The stats below are from Campus Corner for counts of colleges with religious affiliations (not sure how accurate they are):
Catholic 270
Baptist and Southern Baptist 101
Methodist 99
Presbyterian 59
Jewish 34
Lutheran 35
Church of Christ 39
Disciples of Christ 18
Other Protestant 26
Interdemoninational 30
This list is not completely inclusive of all denominations.
Of those aged 18 to 35, 30% say they are not affiliated with any religion. While we atheists (yes, I am one) may be the minority, I suspect the numbers are even higher than the polls show for this age group. And I can assure you, this was a big deal for my D when she was looking at colleges, and I’m sure it is for others. In fact, one of the very good schools she got into was quickly crossed off her list b/c of the heavy religious leanings of the students she noticed when we did a campus visit.
Attending a college that has an old religious affiliation versus requiring religious class(es) are very different in my mind. Neither of my children would ever have attended a college where they were forced to take even one class on religion.
So, just adding my voice to the “make sure your kid fits” contingent. A school may have a fabulous program, but if your child will be uncomfortable there b/c of culture, religion, idealism, or regionalisms, it’s not worth it. This degree is hard enough without adding the discomfort of not fitting in.
Yes @monkey13
More MT programs at colleges with religious affiliation that get mentioned with some regularity on this forum:
Millikin - Presbyterian
Tulsa - Presbyterian
Muhlenberg - Lutheran
Seton Hill - Catholic
Emory & Henry - Methodist
I did not realize that Depaul and Fordham are Catholic (many actors from d’s HS apply to these schools). Learn something everyday.
I do appreciate not wanting to feel as if you are being forced to take a religion class. But if thou feel that way, but the option is to take a world religions class or something similar, and not a class that is teaching just one particular doctrine, I think these schools are definitely still worthy of consideration. So much of the turmoil in today’s world has some basis in people’s religious thinking. If we all better understood one another and what beliefs different religions hold, we might be able to better communicate and more peacefully coexist on this planet. The purpose of many of these religion classes is not to indoctrinate you into one way of thinking but to learn about a variety of different beliefs. So I hope people don’t automatically dismiss great schools and programs on the basis of having to take one class, particularly if it is a class that can give us a better understanding of the world around us. Also, be mindful that the vast majority of early colleges and universities were founded by churches. Many do still maintain their affiliations today. And there can be benefits. Often times scholarships are available to students at those schools who share that religious affiliation. Our experience of many of these schools is that most have very diverse student bodies, especially in the MT and theatre departments. Very few of them require any sort of intense religious study. All that to say, I wouldn’t automatically dismiss a school because it has some religious affiliation. Do your due diligence. Find out what the campus culture is truly like. Find out what the religion class required really consists of. And then make your decision. You may find it might just be the perfect school for you even if you don’t share its religious affiliation.
I don’t have a ton to add to this topic but would like to say one thing I haven’t read yet. Unless or until you are a member of an extreme religious minority living in a community that is heavily dominated and influenced by a religious majority whose doctrine may include values that differ greatly from your own, you cannot understand what that feels like. Sometimes it is the otherwise loveliest people who do and say things that are unintentionally offensive out of ignorance, not because they are bad people. For that reason, people might pick a school, or the city its in, or even the state that its in where they might find less of that. It’s a comfort thing and it may not have anything to do with a required religious course which could even include a course in their own religion that would fulfill the requirement. Box checked but environmental concerns, the same.
I’ve lived both sides of this. I’d venture it is more of that kind of atmospheric concern motivating the clarification question with respect to school practices than something about a course requirement but I could be wrong.
I’m with you, halflokum. We’re Jewish, and my daughter definitely would NOT be comfortable at a school with a strongly Christian “atmosphere” or ANY requirement to take a religion class. The post a page or two back that said “In a day and age where 78% of Americans identify as Christian, taking a religion class shouldn’t be a big deal for most” made me bristle a bit. It would definitely be a dealbreaker for us.
Sorry I made you bristle, @actorparent. Certainly not my intent. My whole quote also noted that nearly 90% of American identify as ‘religious’ or hold a belief in a higher power. A later poster went on to point out that generally speaking, religion classes are not meant to indoctrinate students into any one faith or belief system. My point was that the vast majority of people in this country are, in fact, religious to some degree. Obviously not everyone is on the same page. But we can certainly learn from each other. If the trade off of getting to study in a really great MT program is that you might have to take a few credits in religion, then maybe it is worth it for some… Having a wider world view can help you understand your neighbor. Sorry if I ruffled feathers.
I think, @MTmom2015, for those of us who have been on the receiving end of religious discrimination, it is indeed a very big deal. I am not intolerant of other people’s religions, but I am intolerant of them forcing THEIR religion down my throat or the throat of my kids. And there is a big difference between a class where you learn about all the world’s religions, and a class that requires you to learn about the majority’s religion. History has shown that the majority isn’t always right. My D and I didn’t care how fabulous the MT program was if it included being force fed a religion we did not believe in. The class was held IN A CHURCH. So I think the point is, for people who this might bother, they should be aware and check. B/c usually, the schools that require this type of class have a culture that may be uncomfortable for someone of a “minority” religion, or no religion at all. Just sayin’…
I’m also skeptical of the idea that if a Christian-founded institution REQUIRES everyone to take a religion class in order to graduate, that that class is going to be a totally neutral class that treats all world religions as well as atheism as equally valid. Just doesn’t seem likely to me. I can’t help questioning why they would even HAVE such a requirement.
atheism? included in a religion class? I can’t begin to understand why that topic should be addressed when discussing religions, because it isn’t a religion…
I personally believe this thread has gotten way off topic. Seems like the sought out info has been answered. YES, Belmont is affiliated with the non-denominational Christian religion, and YES you apparently have to take a few courses in religion (many options to choose from) to graduate. If you don’t like religious affiliation or religion classes, then seek your degree elsewhere.
There are plenty of secular colleges to choose from!
The posts above completely confirm the point that where you apply and ultimately attend is a choice. There are many, many wonderful schools and programs out there.
Isn’t dismissing a school for its religious affiliation without further investigating the school or the class itself simply being prejudice? Isn’t the assumption that you will be “force-fed a religion” a stereotype? Being prejudicial and promoting stereotypes is certainly your individual right; and I defend your right to voice it. But having a minority religion or no religion at all, does not make the use of prejudice & stereotypes any different (or better) than when those in the majority use it.
All ‘vocal’ did was bring up a topic about a school that people might not have been aware of. Her post caused me to look deeper into a school I was considering. I investigated the school and my S & I made a choice whether to apply or not. Which i thought was the purpose of this board. … I thank her for her opinion and her post.
No one suggested dismissing a school without further investigation. It is important to be aware of which schools have a religious affiliation and how extensive the religious requirements are at each school. I attended BYU as a non mormon AND have been severely discriminated against by christians. Both experiences have left me very gun-shy when it comes to mixing education and religion. I am prejudiced as a form of self preservation. Be aware, go in with eyes wide open and ask tons of questions. The climate on campus is the hardest part of the equation. You won’t know until you get there whether you fit in with the school’s clientele.
Atheism is an “ism.” So is Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Mormonism, Baptism etc. Then you can get into racism, fascism, ageism, sexism, cubism but at the end of the day, they are all (according to the dictionary): a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy, typically a political ideology or an artistic movement. It doesn’t matter if Atheism is a religion or not (some would argue it is). It’s a question of ideology, philosophy and practice. One must decide on their own what that means in terms of environmental comfort.
I maintain that having a minority religion or no religion at all is experienced differently. It doesn’t give one a free pass to stereotype nor to prejudge anything without bothering to become informed. But please understand a person’s definition of what feels like force fed indoctrination can and does differ depending on background. It’s a sensitive topic for many and just because it feels vanilla and no big deal to one, doesn’t mean it is felt as vanilla and no big deal to the other.
Well said, Lokum. Oh wait, you’re only half-Lokum, right? It’s funny because you just don’t look Lokum at all! Not that it matters. Some of my best friends etc…
Thank you @halflokum
There’s actually another BFA program in Nashville at Lipscomb University. It’s also a school that tries to integrate the christian faith into their art while receiving a preprofessional degree. Audition dates are still happening for the program as well. Check out the thread on here for more info!
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-schools/1661912-lipscomb-university-mt.html