<p>I've been an atheist for as long as I can remember. Recently, I've been researching and making efforts to start worshiping. I've been looking into the Buddhist religion. Though I'm very skeptical of religion, this religion really appeals to me, and I've never felt such a passion toward the idea of any religion before. Would this topic be too risky?</p>
<p>also, i’m white and from Vermont. if that helps at all</p>
<p>please? :(</p>
<p>I’m agnostic and I say don’t do it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and college admission officers don’t need to hear why their beliefs may be inferior to yours or buddhists. They’re people and as such, they are not immune from getting ****ed off. I had a paragraph diatribe about religion in my essay at first… completely chucked it out by the end. </p>
<p>that’s pretty cool though. My dad’s a buddhist and I find it interesting as well. Chill stuff.</p>
<p>I would put it in. As far as I know, Buddhism is in no way, shape, or form a religion that brags about its merits. If it’s important to you, and you love it, write about it. A school that would reject you based solely on your being buddhist is not a school you’d feel welcome in. [Caveat: You’re applying to a specifically christian centric/jewish/muslim/etc school. Look at the schools lists of student clubs, if they list more than one religious club, its a good bet they’ll be fine with the topic. Further more, some schools welcome Religious diversity.]</p>
<p>This is a much better idea for you, I think. :)</p>
<p>chasingstarlight: I wouldn’t write it in in arrogant way. No one would feel inferior.</p>
<p>and Yurtle, do you think this would be too cliche for top schools?</p>
<p>I think it looks insincere to “experiment” with a religion without being certain that you believe in the religious aspects. You can certainly mention that you like buddhist ethics, but I don’t think you can truly call yourself one. As a fellow atheist, i considered writing about my absence of religion and how it affects me, but decided against it because you NEVER know when an adcom is going to be religious or if even one person will be easily offended. and yes, the whole searching for meaning in life and finding the religion that suits you is cliche.</p>
<p>As long as you are aware that it is a sensitive topic and you treat it delicately, it will be fine.</p>
<p>Meagan44- Nothing is cliche when done right. I couldn’t tell you how many students write about buddhism, but I can tell you that if it’s important and you show why it means something to you (honestly), you’ve done something right. </p>
<p>I think Buddhism is a fairly safe topic, if you do understand its basic tenets. (Which I recently got the chance to study in my Philosophy class, so here’s hoping I know a little something.) </p>
<p>If I understood it right, Buddhism is about selflessness, and the destruction of the ego. The idea is that being self-centered is the reason why people are so often miserable in their lives. This is why I figure that buddhism is a less volatile religion to talk about- Buddhism does not evangelize, and rarely offends, it is a peaceful, reflective religion. There would be no reason for you to put down other religions- you can say you found something in buddhism that you didn’t find elsewhere, but anything beyond that would probably be treading a line. PBush is right, it’s sensitive, but it’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I know someone who wrote about why she lost her faith in Jesus. She got into Fordham and Gonzaga, and waitlisted at Santa Clara with that essay.</p>
<p>I am, naturally, a really selfless person. That is what drew me toward Buddhism. Now, do you think that it’s bad to write about it since I am still exploring it and wouldn’t call myself an official Buddhist, yet?</p>
<p>i’m currently writing a draft, if anyone wants to it when i’m done?</p>
<p>sure, i’d be happy to read</p>
<p>"I am, naturally, a really selfless person. That is what drew me toward Buddhism. Now, do you think that it’s bad to write about it since I am still exploring it and wouldn’t call myself an official Buddhist, yet? "</p>
<p>If you’ve already found yourself at 17-18 you’re doing something wrong. Exploration and an admitted curiousity is an attribute, not a failure. I would say you’re fine.</p>
<p>I’ll read it. PM me.</p>
<p>it’s garbage. gotta revise</p>