<p>Im a non- christian, hindu actually, but ive been accepted to loyola and they are offering me $ 42,000 for my first year alone. It is my cheapest option, in terms of colleges, and I am strongly considering it. But is my religion going to be a problem? Will there be akwardness? and what does the whole christian college thing mean anyway? I mean what do they do differently than normal colleges?</p>
<p>You will be fine at Loyola. You may have to take a religion class but they are very open to ideas other than Catholic.</p>
<p>Going by what I think this forum means by Christian, Loyola would not be considered Christian. I think, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, that this forum is more about evangelical Christian colleges. At some Christian colleges their religious views, and how it pertains to a subject, may be expressed more than in other colleges</p>
<p>Interesting. Loyola calls themself a “jesuit” institution. What does that mean? and Religion class?</p>
<p>Loyola is a Catholic school run by Jesuit priests. Jesuits do not serve in parishes and I think mostly run schools. They are considered much more liberal than most Catholic school administrations.</p>
<p>And yes, as part of their core curriculum Loyola requires 2 semesters of theology (many courses to choose from). You can find the core requirements on their website.</p>
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<p>Jesuits belong to a certain order of Catholic priests called the Society of Jesus. A Jesuit school runs based on the principles of the Jesuit order (and some of the teachers may actually be priests, although most probably won’t be.) Jesuits are devoted to education, research, and social justice and are very open towards people of other religions. I went to a Jesuit high school and one of the religion classes was “World Religions” where we learned a bit about Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and other religions, all in a very respectful context. (It was also one of the classes actually taught by a Jesuit priest, interestingly.)</p>
<p>You might have to take a couple religion classes, but they likely have some classes that don’t necessarily assume the students are all Christians . . . Check the course catalog if they have it online.</p>
<p>Edit: As a note of trivia, Loyola is named after Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Jesuit order. :)</p>
<p>Thanks thats super helpful!</p>
<p>nicsagenius, if you’re talking about Loyola Marymount outside of LA then I thank you for asking this question! :]
I would best be described as an agnostic Pagan but I’ve decided to go to Loyola Marymount for a variety of reasons and was wondering a little about it.</p>
<p>And a big thank you to, Naturally, who really answered any question I can think of right now :D</p>
<p>It’s interesting that people think that Catholic isn’t Christian. Catholic is very much Christian as they believe and profess the teachings of Christ. However, Catholic is not Protestant (Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist). There is a difference there.</p>
<p>There are 28 Jesuit colleges in the USA alone. Here is the complete list:
[Jesuit</a> Colleges and Universities Quiz Results - sporcle](<a href=“http://www.sporcle.com/games/jesuit_colleges_results.php]Jesuit”>http://www.sporcle.com/games/jesuit_colleges_results.php)</p>
<p>I don’t think the point that’s trying to be made has anything to do with Catholics “not being Christian”. Its just that Loyola and the other Jesuit institutions listed in the post above have a more diverse (religion-wise) population than say, Wheaton or Hillsdale, and therefore the community will be much more accepting of people such as the OP.</p>
<p>It will be perfectly okay. I go to a Christian college and their are staunch agnostics who attend classes here.</p>
<p>I go to Le Moyne College, another Jesuit institution. I myself am Christian, but I have plenty of friends who are atheist, agnostic and Muslim. I know one girl who is Hindu. Everyone is accepted. It really isn’t an issue if you’re not Christian. At my school, you have to take 2-3 semesters of religion and 3-4 semesters of philosophy (common at Jesuit schools)…but you don’t have to go to Mass or anything.</p>
<p>Odessagirl goes to a Christian College - Messiah in PA. Her hometown youth pastor was actually called by the admissions personnel to discuss Odessagirl and some paperwork completed by her home church was included in her application or sent to the college somewhere through the process. She has 24 required “chapels” to attend each semester and about 4 mandatory (bible, etc.) classes over 4 years.</p>
<p>My non-Catholic family friend teaches at Loyola University Chicago. She has a doctorate in theology and teaches the religious perspective of our sect of Christianity. Nice lady. =)</p>
<p>Many schools that identify themselves as Christian are often what is known as an Evangelical Christian College (or university.) These schools tend to be VERY conservative and more faith based/faith inclusive oftentimes (but not always) with required mandatory submission to a very strict code of conduct. This agreement between the student and the school can and often does prohibit things like smoking, drinking alcohol, pre-marital sex and in a few cases even dancing. </p>
<p>Jesuit schools, like Loyola, are not like that and more often than not have codes of conduct much more like the majority of other secular schools in the US.</p>
<p>I would not be concerned; you will find the student population at most Jesuit colleges and universities to be quite diverse and welcoming to those of different faiths.</p>
<p>Wow – $42,000. Congratulations.</p>
<p>When people say “Christian” college, what they usually mean is “fundamentalist Christian” college. Georgetown, etc. are Catholic universities, but do not require chapel, etc.</p>
<p>Loyola is different than going to Liberty.</p>
<p>Loyola is as unreligious as Boston College, Fordham, Fairfield etc. All have plenty of non-christians and I know a hindu at Fordham who loves it…so really I wouldn’t worry about that part…</p>
<p>At my school you need to take a religion course as part of GenEds so its not like the theology course is a big deal</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. I’m not a christian and I’m going to a jesuit school next year. I have a lot of friends there that are agnostic, jewish, and even atheist. Yea, some of the priests teach, but they’re awesome. I heard they’re like rebel priests.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine!</p>
<p>I go to a Catholic high -school, and my best friend, who also attends, is Hindu. Theology classes are more like life lesson classes. The basics of Catholic theology is very accepting towards other faiths. I guess in my experience, the whole purpose is never to shove religion down your throat, but to widen your perspective, and if anything, to teach you to think for yourself and apply what you’ve learned. </p>
<p>Most Catholic colleges are very open and welcoming in terms of diversity. Although, you will occasionally meet…interesting people. But no one should demand anything from you that you’re not comfortable with.</p>