<p>Ok so I am nonreligious (vehemently so) and after coming back from GAAP weekend, I can't help but feel there is a significant Catholic influence on this school. It was really "up in your face" as far as having Jesuit priests speak at every function, and all the crosses and religion imagery around the university</p>
<p>So I guess my question is- how much religious influence do Georgetown students feel and is it oppressive? I am not intolerant. However, certain religious doctrines really bother me and I think this is an important part of my decision.</p>
<p>The other school I'm considering, Williams, is not religiously affiliated</p>
<p>Hi! I feel like I may have posted on one of your threads before, but I can attest that Georgetown is considered the least intense about Catholicism of all the Jesuit schools. I was considering Notre Dame (until I sent in my Gtown deposit!), and the experience I had revisiting each school was very different. Granted, ND is not a Jesuit university, but instead of the Holy Cross branch. That being said, the level of Catholicism present at ND was much greater than at Georgetown. Georgetown’s student body is around 50% Catholic, meaning that there is a good mix between people who identify themselves as Catholic and people who don’t. In fact, a lot of the kids from my school going to Gtown(including myself) are Jewish! I think you’ll find that the Jesuit message is focused primarily on acceptance, and the vibe I got from my GAAP weekend was that all faiths are welcomed and encouraged. Yes, Georgetown is a Catholic university, but I think it’s Catholic bent speaks to its desire to educate the whole person–mind, body, and spirit. The Jesuits are all about giving back, and Georgetown sees education as a means of giving back to society. I don’t think Georgetown’s Catholic identity should necessarily be perceived as a negative-- I think it’s a definite plus. It means the community is ready to engage in open and honest discussion about religion and its role in society-- an issue pretty relevant to today. In a world of increased multiculturalism, I can’t think of a better environment in which to learn than one that promotes understanding and acceptance, along with a community service flair. well, these are just my ramblings, but I hope they help! and good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>Well, of course there’s a “significant Catholic influence” at a Catholic university! If there wasn’t, the university would be failing in an important part of its mission. </p>
<p>For most people who are interested in Georgetown, the religious presence is a positive thing and is often an important factor in their decision to attend. If you’re as “vehemently anti-religious” as you say, you may be happier at a secular university where you wouldn’t have to be bothered by the religious imagery.</p>
<p>I’m not bothered by religious imagery, but i would be bothered by intolerant, narrow-minded students who try to convert people…but I get the impression that thats not the case at gtown</p>
<p>now do they teach creationism or intelligent design in bio classes? because that would bother me. a lot. i love darwin</p>
<p>@Stupefy
The university you fear is Bob Jones, not Georgetown.</p>
<p>Creationism and intelligent design are not part of Catholic theology. Catholics believe that evolution is compatible with Christian teaching.</p>
<p>However, with that said and based on the many other Stupefy posts that I have come across in recent months, I think Williams would be a better choice for you. You strike me as a person who wants to march to the beat of her own drummer. Williams would be more accommodating in that regard. Georgetown seems to value conformity more.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: My daughter will be attending Georgetown this fall.</p>
<p>Actually when I visited both schools, I felt more at home at Georgetown. I love the city, and I loved how active and buzzing the campus was. Williams campus was quiet and empty, albeit peaceful. It’s so big and spread out and there are so few students that it feels like less is going on</p>
<p>Catholicism at Georgetown does not seem to be shoved down anyone’s throat. The religious services, etc. are all there to be taken advantage of if the student chooses to be involved. Many different religions are represented at Georgetown, just as they are at Boston College and other Jesuit schools. I think if you talked to the students, you would see that it is really a “non-issue”. The only thing that is a requirement, as far as I know, is the Theology course(s) You would probably enjoy those courses and have an interesting viewpoint to add to the course.</p>
<p>It seems to me that you want to go to Georgetown but are struggling with the fact that you don’t think Georgetown’s reputation is as strong as Williams. Although Williams ranks very high, Georgetown’s reputation (especially in certain areas) definitely surpasses Williams. It sounds like you want to go to Georgetown and would fit in better there but feel like you are supposed to go to Williams solely because of the rankings. You will get an outstanding education at either school. If the Williams campus was quiet and appeared boring and Gtown was lively and thriving…that should tell you something.</p>
I am VERY excited for those courses, especially problem of god. I love discussing and debating religion- it’s such an interesting topic! and it means a lot to me because for most of my life, I was uncertain of my religious beliefs. it took me a while to figure it out, but now I hold firm conviction in my beliefs. but I look forward to learning about other religions, mostly so I can pick up biblical allusions in lit class ;)</p>
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wow you read me like a book Yes I do believe Williams is stronger academically (especially at placing students into top grad schools) but now I think fit is more important, which is why I will be choosing georgetown</p>
<p>What exactly do you mean by “vehemently” nonreligious? I know you did not mean to be, but it kinda sounds like your some sort of intolerant bigot who can’t stand the thought of religion at all. If so, a secular university is definitely not the way to go, no matter how open it is to atheists, because there’s still a religious presence (theology classes are required).</p>
<p>I didn’t know that atheism was something you could advocate furiously (that would be a very paradoxical statement). I mean, it’s not like you’re going to start converting people to the sacred non-church of Atheism, ey?</p>
<p>Aha, vehement was probably not the right word. What I meant is, I’ve thought about religion a lot throughout my life, considered different religious views, weighed my options, and after much pondering, I have absolute conviction in my beliefs. (I’m not an atheist btw). I’m definitely not intolerant of religion; in fact, I think religion has many benefits (but also can be harmful) and most of my friends and classmates are catholic/christian.</p>
<p>It’s funny you talk about “converting” people. Like I said, I live in a mostly white school where most people go to church (or whose families go to church), but I also live in a very wealthy and educated area, so many people are liberal. I find oftentimes, my classmates claim to be christian, but are apathetic toward religion and actually totally believe in scientific theories like evolution. Oftentimes, children are religious just because of their parents, but when they have an opportunity to explore for themselves, they change their views. There have been many times where I’ve talked to friends and explained the theory of evolution to them, and that has changed their views or at least opened their minds. so yes, I guess it is possible to convert people I truly believe that if every creationist in the world read darwin’s origin of species (or some key excerpts from it), many of them would denounce creationism for evolution, or at least intelligent design</p>
<p>Congratulations Stupefy on your decision to attend Georgetown!! I had a feeling that you would end up there. We are from Pa. as well. I’m sure you and my S will cross paths there. What school were you admitted to? He couldn’t decide between SFS and MSB but ultimately ended up applying to MSB and couldn’t be happier. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Georgetown is at this point sort of fake Catholic anyway – the Holy See has had to tell them to act their act together if they still want to be able to be called a Catholic university.</p>
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<p>True, true. But the problem is that Georgetown sometimes sacrifices liturgical/canonical accuracy. That is utterly unacceptable, especially in the name of “understanding and acceptance.”</p>
<p>It is also worth noting that His Holiness has explicitly stated that interreligious dialogue is impossible, and that only intercultural dialogue is possible.</p>
<p>Hey Stupefy – I’m also completely non-religious, going to SFS, and in love with Georgetown While a few of the school’s policies make me iffy (no condoms, tentative support of LGBT groups, etc.), the good definitely outweighs the bad, since I actually love studying theology. Plus I hear the Jesuit professors kick ass, and I know there’s at least one theology class taught by an avowed atheist. Aren’t the Jesuits the least doctrinal of all the Catholic orders anyway?</p>
Yes I do believe Williams is stronger academically (especially at placing students into top grad schools) but now I think fit is more important, which is why I will be choosing georgetown</p>
I truly believe that if every creationist in the world read darwin’s origin of species (or some key excerpts from it), many of them would denounce creationism for evolution, or at least intelligent design</p>
plan to do international politics</p>
While a few of the school’s policies make me iffy (no condoms, tentative support of LGBT groups, etc.), the good definitely outweighs the bad, since I actually love studying theology. Plus I hear the Jesuit professors kick ass, and I know there’s at least one theology class taught by an avowed atheist. Aren’t the Jesuits the least doctrinal of all the Catholic orders anyway?</p>