<p>I do not believe in or follow any religion, will this pit me as an outsider or make school less fun? Are religious activities forced on all students</p>
<p>i'm not going to lie being catholic is pretty much a requirement for nd. religion definitely has a strong influence on the school.</p>
<p>I'm a parent, not a student at ND so take my view for what it's worth. My son is a freshman at ND and a practicing Catholic so he does attend Mass, but no one is forced into religious activities. That being said, ND is a Catholic school. The freshman Theology requirement seems to be taught from a Catholic perspective, the student body is predominantly Catholic (although many are nonpracticing), the architecture is very Catholic/Christian. You won't have religion crammed down your throat but it will definitely be more pervasive than at a non-affiliated school. It depends on how comfortable you would be in that kind of an atmosphere. No one will ostracize you for being an atheist and I'm sure you could find others with similar beliefs, but certainly not as easily as at another school. Best of luck with your decision.</p>
<p>As someone who actually goes to ND. No one really cares, but you do have to take theology.</p>
<p>Our student is a soph currently attending ND and Protestant. He has felt absolutely no pressure regarding Catholicism. And, once he completed his second Theology requirement, he told us that he was asked by the Theology department to consider a minor in Theology. He politely declined as I guess he feels he has enough on his plate with his current major. While being Protestant is not like atheism, I do not think that our student has ever felt that Catholicism was shoved down his throat. I get the feeling from him as danbrenn mentioned that no one really cares. He chose to attend ND for the academics first and foremost. He has never regretted his decision even with the workload that he carries each semester.</p>
<p>Touchdown Jesus, the Holy Hand-off... even if one is not religious, Catholicism pervades the campus. Even the name... Notre Dame = Our Lady (Mary, the Blessed Mother). I guess you wouldn't HAVE to be religious, but you won't be able to escape it.</p>
<p>One of my roommates is an atheist and we have whom I would describe as a Catholic fascist, and they get along just fine. One of the most popular professors at ND was an atheist and only left this year because he was getting an offer he couldn't refuse from UNLV. As for Theology requirement, it depends on the professor. If the class is about the early Church of course it will be a Catholic perspective because that was the only Church that existed. But ultimately it is a history class, and if one history class about the Church is too much, then I guess no, you won't fit in. </p>
<p>Danbrenn is right that no one is going to try to convert you, but don't think that you can go four years without someone ever asking you about it and pressing you to articulate yourself. However, I would hope that that goes on at every school, for every one.</p>
<p>Only theology is forced, and I'm sure some people would say it's good to take it anyway. I haven't taken THEO yet, so I can't speak from experience.</p>
<p>I think the Catholic environment makes the university that much more special. Obviously an atheist won't get that out of ND. With that said, atheists can love this university; there is much more here than just our Catholic identity.</p>
<p>Im an atheist and and I go here, not a problem for me at all. You see it all over the place, but it is not like I have a problem with people being religious (If I did, I dont think I would have came here). If you dont want to go to Mass, you are never forced to. The first Theology class is Catholic based, but after that you can choose almost whatever you want for the second one. You shouldn't let religion affect your decision at all.</p>