<p>I just came across this great new forum, and well, I have a question. I'm sorry that my first post here is kind of on an awkward topic, and I hope that people can consider my question with an open mind and not get offended. Anyway:</p>
<p>I'm a junior in a California high school, and I've always put Duke University on a pedestal for its high academic standards and excellent faculty. It's a school that I want to apply to next year, and I have a major concern. I come from a Jewish background, but in my personal convictions, I lean toward agnosticism. I consider myself to a very secular person.</p>
<p>I've read that Duke University was established as a Methodist university, and that it's in a fairly conservative area of the country.</p>
<p>I'm very open minded and have absolutely no problem with some religion in my college education, but I don't want to be the only agnostic/atheist/humanist on campus in a conservative university since that would complicate everything from in-class discussions to dating in college to simple day-in day-out interactions with other students. </p>
<p>In short, I'd like to know whether or not:
1. The skeptic community is tolerated and accepted by the general student body at Duke
2. There are others like me who attend Duke University</p>
<p>Sorry if this is kind of an awkward post, and thank you in advance to anyone who responds.</p>
<p>I would say you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about. I have friends of all different religions and beliefs, including agnosticism, Jewish, Hindi, atheism, you name it...people who are very strong in their religious beliefs. The great thing about this is that I've heard so many wonderful discussions of theology/religion/beliefs/non-beliefs over the past three years, none of which have been hostile at all. People are incredibly open and incredibly accepting of personal beliefs because of the diversity we have here in regards to religion. While you'll find there are pretty large Jewish/Catholic populations from what I've experienced, it's definitely not in your face, and Duke actually isn't tied to the Methodist church anymore, so mass in chapel is non-denominational. That said, it's just an open environment and you will definitely find people like you.</p>
<p>Religious life is here kind of like what you make of it...and no one judges anyone for how religion is or is not a part of your life.</p>
<p>Ya, just to echo the other comments already: you have absolutely nothing to worry about at all. The student body actually has a slight liberal lean - not conservative. The Durham community has a strong liberal lean. While North Carolina in general is definitely more conservative. Duke isn't methodist in any way, shape, or form. Just originally funded by Methodists and Quakers and isn't even affiliated with the Church anymore. No crosses anywhere on campus except the Chapel and Divinity School, so it's def not in your face. Tons of non-religious people go to Duke. Definitely should NOT be a concern for you.</p>
<p>I am applying to Duke next year as well, and I live in NC as an atheist. It must be said that NC is fairly conservative, but in academia, I have found that the religious nuts tend to either a) not exist or b) are very accepting. </p>
<p>I must say, I really do enjoy my high school class discussions involving religion, being one of the few atheists in the room, often the only one.</p>
<p>No worries, AquaNerd. Son found that his Duke peers were very interested in each other's belief systems (or lack therof) in respectful and intellectually curious way. Never before had he found himself in the midst of such cultural and wide-ranging religious diversity (had no idea there where so many different religions in India, alone), and he added to the diversity encountered by others. Never has he felt any judgment or pressure concerning religious issues.</p>