<p>Is the Catholic presence at Holy Cross unavoidable, or is it possible for an atheist/non catholic to survive there?</p>
<p>From what I've heard, the school really is not over-bearing at all with the whole Jesuit/Catholic identity. And over half now come from public high schools which is a lot so...No, if you don't want to take part in that aspect its perfectly fine and there's good chance you'll enjoy it just as much as anyone else.</p>
<p>I's say Catholicism is unavoidable here but you can definitely "survive." If anything it might be good for you to question your beliefs, etc. There aren't many non-Catholics, so if your looking for fellow athiests or people from other religions you'll have a hard time. But most Catholics aren't really super religious either. As a practicing Catholic, I really appreciate the Catholic dimension of Holy Cross. But the lack of religious diversity also contributes to a generally insular, provincial atmosphere here. Unfortunately for me, I think "cultural Catholicism" (the "pray, pay and obey" type) is more prevelant than intellectual Catholicism.</p>