<p>I am a typical evangelical student at Wheaton, so I think I can let you know both the good and the bad side for you. It is true that Wheaton College as an institution does not let Catholics teach because the president does not believe they can honestly sign our statement of faith.</p>
<p>However, we have had some Catholic students, and I don't think the majority of students and professors would treat you badly for being Catholic, although they might want to engage in theological debates. :) You would be sort of an oddity, but many students and professors are Anglican and a few are Orthodox. Overall, most students come to respect liturgy and tradition much more over the four years, so I think you'd only find the very beginning to be awkward, when a lot of students come to college directly out of strong baptist traditions, etc.</p>
<p>Be aware that we do take a freshman class that mainly deals with Evangelical history and that we have required chapel three times a week. If your still interested, I'd encourage you to visit and be honest about your faith while you're there. See how people react. Would you stand out a little bit? Yes. But it might be a real growing experience for your faith to see how those of us on the other side of the Reformation came to the theological positions we hold.</p>
<p>Wait, Wheaton allows Anglican and Orthodox faculty members, but not Roman Catholic ones? WHAT?!</p>
<p>Well, that isn't very conducive toward scholarly theological debate, to exclude those who have traditionally been the leaders of religious philosophical and moral thought.</p>
<p>Sorry, I should have said Anglican professors, not Orthodox. At least, I don't think there are any Orthodox professors, but there are many Anglican ones, and some Orthodox students. This shouldn't be surprising. Anglicanism was part of the Reformation.</p>
<p>The main reason for the president's argument against allowing Catholic professors is that he believes that Catholic theology requires that Scripture is co-equal with tradition. He subsequently argues that the Wheaton College statement of faith signed by all professors requires that all professors affirm the supremacy of scripture over all else. In other words, he believes the Statement of Faith affirms scripture's place as being supreme over tradition, which is the reason why evangelicals disagree with the papacy, Marian theology, etc. This is itself a controversial argument from the Statement of Faith.</p>
<p>Most students and professors, however, deeply respect our fellow Catholics, even if we disagree theologically. A large number of our guest speakers are Catholics. We read Catholic writers, study Catholic philosophy and theology, and deeply respect our fellow Christian's deep scholarship and faith. Some of my favorite writers to study have included Dante, Augustine, and Aquinas. We don't hate Catholics, but just like schools like Thomas Aquinas and Steubenville, the school has long held the position that the professors who guide students academically and spiritually should hold to certain basic theological views. It does reduce some diversity, but the point of Christian institutions is not diversity but depth within a tradition.</p>
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The main reason for the president's argument against allowing Catholic professors is that he believes that Catholic theology requires that Scripture is co-equal with tradition. He subsequently argues that the Wheaton College statement of faith signed by all professors requires that all professors affirm the supremacy of scripture over all else. In other words, he believes the Statement of Faith affirms scripture's place as being supreme over tradition, which is the reason why evangelicals disagree with the papacy, Marian theology, etc. This is itself a controversial argument from the Statement of Faith.
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<p>That doesn't seem like an excuse for stifling dialog. What the statement of faith is saying then is "you can't teach if you don't agree with us theologically." As kwu said, that is very clearly stifling discussion, dissent, and difference. Why isn't the school comfortable with faculty members of differing opinions teaching? Why must students by exposed only to one side, or why must one side be so strongly supported over the other? This seems discriminatory, and like a reminder of the days when women or blacks couldn't be respected as professors. If not that, the motivation has to be total indoctrination, which runs counter to academic freedom.</p>
<p>Also I want to make it clear that taoigh seems like a good and open person. My prob is with wheaton's philosophy, not any particular person.</p>
<p>Here's my advice for the original poster as both an educator and a father - go to a non-Conservative, non-Christian campus, and drop in on a party or two, or at least make friends with some of the partiers. Conservative Christianity is what you already know. You don't need to spend a lot of money and four years to reinforce what you already know, and you can be a conservative Christian with conservative Christian friends regardless of the campus you attend. But please don't use your college experience as a refuge to avoid being influenced by cultures that deviate from your own. If your faith is truly that by which you will live your life, then you'll need to be able to live that faith in the larger world. And if exposure to differing cultures ultimately casts doubt on your faith, then that will either bring you to a stronger, more reasoned faith, or free you from ideas that don't withstand the power of your reason.</p>
<p>As a middle-class, white, Protestant parent, the first thing I advised my own kids to do in their college searches was to rule out campuses composed almost exclusively of middle-class, white Protestants. It's been a very, very valuable experience for them.</p>
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.obviously stuff like Capital Punishment I'm against and thats not conservative but rather christian
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Capital punishment runs throughout Christian history, and it also quite prevalent in the Bible. Most Christians throughout time have been firmly behind the idea. One may argue that Jesus overthrew the old laws, but it is clear he at least approved of them, and also that Paul seemed to favor them in my opinion (slavery and such ).</p>
<p>university of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Three-fifths of the folks in Lafayette are Catholic, real Catholics--I love this town!! All those Cajuns. ULL is a pretty good college too. AND the girls are beautiful (don't know if you are a guy or girl, sorry, I didn't look--the French guys here are handsome, handsome, too--just some are a little short, like 5'8"). Don't forget that Ali Landry, a recent Miss America, is from Breaux Bridge, just a hop, step and jump away from Lafayette.</p>
<p>Just read an earlier post--what is this Marian THEOLOGY? Mary is NOT worshiped! She is the mother of God and is RESPECTED. Folks also ask her to INTERCEDE with God, just like you might go to your own mother and ask her to intercede with your stricter dad. In fact, the Hail Mary, if you pay attention to the words, just praises Mary as a great human being who was 'full of grace' and 'the Lord is with you', i.e. God was pleased with her and so decided she would bear his child and raise his child. We ask her to PRAY FOR US SINNERS. She would be praying to God, you see. Interceding for us, because she was a favorite with God because of her goodness. Heck, we can all be favorites of God, just by trying a lot harder than we often do.<br>
My dad is Baptist and so is his entire family. I was always baffled by their take that we pray TO Mary as though she was God. Not so. We pray to Mary to ask God for us, as well as we pray to God directly too. Can't hurt to have lots of prayer for whatever it is we yearn for.</p>
<p>One other point--I don't think the Catholic church does such a hot job of preparing young Catholics for the world. We sure can't quote scripture, etc. like my Protestant uncle, etc. Thus, I would advise you to go to a college with a lot of Catholics in attendance so that you can learn a lot more about your faith than the typical Catholic knows. THEN you will be more ready for the arguments of non-Catholics.<br>
I have to admit that while I do believe firmly that the Catholic faith is the original one and the best one, I think others can also get into Heaven. Just my opinion, and I might be at variance with Catholic teaching on that one. I'm very 'catholic' in my perspective, God is the father of all people, and God will sooner or later intrude on everyone's life and make his presence known, to give everyone that opportunity to spend eternity with him. Everyone knows how to behave to save their souls--love God and love your neighbor. This is not hard to understand, although it can certainly be hard to do, depending on the neighbor!</p>
<p>ANY of the Jesuit Colleges would be wonderful. Add to that list Notre Dame (Holy Cross Fathers) , Villanova (Augustinians), Providence (Dominicans). I am not a big fan of extremely religious schools be they either Catholic or not, right wing or left wing. The reason is that I believe college should be your transition from home life and high school into the adult world and reality. Being around others who drink or even misbehave in other ways, is upsetting to conservatives or liberals who are highly moral people, BUT.....it does help you define yourself and learn how to deal with people from different backgrounds and experiences. The trick is to attend a college where there is no pressure to misbehave and feeling left out if you opt out. At the schools above, there is always going to be party types, but you can find adequate spiritual support and yet be challenged to think outside the box enough to grow as a person. </p>
<p>Some Jesuit schools are more party oriented than others. I will say that Seattle University, Gonzaga, Santa Clara, Saint Louis University are on the low end of party central. Kids do party there, just not as much perhaps as some other more "notorious" Party schools. </p>
<p>I know Fordham has a strong party contingent, but I also know they are seriously cracking down with that and "wellness dorms" are the new rave on campus. A high percentage of kids are weekly mass goers, dont drink to excess and are serious about their academic experience. Some party kids are there...but they are easy to avoid.</p>
<p>I would avoid Baptist Colleges for the most part because of their anti Catholic Heritage. Wheaton is a great school, but its a holy roller school and not very supportive of Catholics. With the high number of excellent Catholic colleges, there really is no reason for a devout practicing Catholic having to look elsewhere if they are looking for a school with a religious environment. </p>
<p>There are some independent schools with a HIGH number of Catholics on campus as well: Duke and Wake Forest come to mind. </p>
<p>You really have to visit some campuses and find the ones (4 or 5 perhaps) that fit your academic, financial, social, spiritual and athletic needs. </p>
<p>But in the final analysis it comes down to YOU and your self discipline and personal decision making. </p>
<p>"What the statement of faith is saying then is "you can't teach if you don't agree with us theologically." As kwu said, that is very clearly stifling discussion, dissent, and difference. Why isn't the school comfortable with faculty members of differing opinions teaching? Why must students by exposed only to one side, or why must one side be so strongly supported over the other? This seems discriminatory, and like a reminder of the days when women or blacks couldn't be respected as professors. If not that, the motivation has to be total indoctrination, which runs counter to academic freedom."</p>
<p>The simple answer to all your questions is that not all institutions of higher learning have the same mission. Some of them are committed to upholding a particular point of view. People who don't want that shouldn't go there.</p>
<p>I also second the Furman recommendation. My D was accepted there and it was a FINAL THREE choice for her. Just an outstanding school, gorgeous campus, very safe, and very supportive. My D chose Fordham for the Jesuit experience instead and is very happy. Plus its in NYC...something VERY foreign to us! LOL. </p>
<p>Furman used to be Baptist, like Wake Forest. Both are now independent and "liberated" from the Baptist Convention. Furman is very conservative...President Bush gave the Commencement Address this year. There are party kids on campus and they go off campus, hang with Clemson kids, or whatever...but its not hard to avoid. There are Catholics at Furman, but I think Wake Forest has a much higher number actually, with a full time Catholic Priest in Campus Ministry. </p>
<p>Grove City is extremely conservative..but its more along the lines of Wheaton...so be careful. There are Catholics there....so ask around how they feel. </p>
<p>Again, with the exception of Furman, Wake, Duke there are so many outstanding Catholic Colleges its really not necessary to venture elsewhere IF you are looking for religious based school. Notre Dame, Villanova, Providence, Catholic U, and the Jesuits would be my pick.</p>
<p>Check into the University of Richmond, too. Like Furman it is/was affiliated with the Babtist Church, but with the influx of many out of staters - especially from PA and the rest of the Northeast, there is a heavy Catholic influence. Beautiful school and you don't have to be a partier to fit in. When I was there- too far back to want to say the years :)- most of my freshman and sophomore hallmates were Catholic. I learned as much about that faith through living at UR than I did in all the rest of my life! Unfortunately, the tuition there is out of sight now, but it is worth a look imho. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I really wouldn't rule many schools out. Even though I'm not a Conservative Christian, I choose not to drink and stuff like that out of respect for my health and personal choices. Throughout my college search I found very few schools where I'd be compelled to do that sort of stuff. I'd just say you should avoid schools with a heavy emphasis on drinking (which really are only a few ones). If you want to go to a college with a religious emphasis, I'm pretty sure you know them already. But I advise you not to choose a college with a religious emphasis, but if you must have one I'd recommend BC, ND, and GTown. BC and Gtown especially for the city experience.</p>
<p>The Jesuit Colleges are ALL wonderful. 28 of them. Some have more penache and prestige because of sports and national media attention, but frankly a lot of them are just as strong ACADEMICALLY.</p>
<p>College is about faculty and student body mixing together and engaging in discussion and debate and learning from each other.</p>
<p>Jesuit colleges are not "religious schools" as I think you may define them. You have to know the Jesuit ethics and ethos to understand.</p>
<p>But the Augustinians of Villanova and the Dominicans of Providence can be equally proud of running top notch universities.</p>
<p>BC, Notre Dame and Georgetown are certainly outstanding schools, two of which are in fact Jesuit. But I would be hard pressed to say that Holy Cross, Fordham, Marquette, St. Louis U, and Loyola are not as equally as impressive. And in fact, at Fordham, a HIGH percentage of its faculty is Ivy Trained. My D's rhetoric professor this year was in fact a black woman from Jamaica, a Libertarian, who earned her PhD from Stanford.</p>
<p>NEVER judge a book by its cover. You are going to be a Freshman at Stanford and you have a LOT to learn, my friend.</p>
<p>check out this site: [url=<a href="http://www.naccap.org/%5DNACCAP%5B/url">http://www.naccap.org/]NACCAP[/url</a>] It has Christian College fairs this fall for you to go and ask reps about their Catholic presence on campus. I think you would be surprised at the number of Christian colleges that have a strong Catholic presence on campus.</p>
<p>My friend, who was valedictorian of her class, went to Wheaton (illinois). The salutatorian went to an Ivy. </p>
<p>Wheaton is obviously a great school, and if you dont mind the protestant traditions, go for it. </p>
<p>As a nonpartier, I would be hesitant to reccomend the Jesuit schools. Some of them (ie BC: “J.Crew with a hangover”) are notorious for their parties and alcohol.</p>
<p>You sir, are a great dad. I agree, getting out and experiencing the world, and becoming educated, is essentially what college is about. Hindering yourself by sticking to only what you are familiar with just robs yourself of that experience.</p>