<p>Hi, I am considering whether to apply to this college. I'm Roman Catholic and the only thing I know about the Lutheran Church is that it is the first to split off from the Catholic church. I was wondering whether the religious nature of the Lutheran Church is strictly enforced or are there just some optional classes for you to take. Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>The College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the U.S., but it welcomes students of all faiths (or no faith at all). The college is committed to academic excellence and theological literacy, so students are require to take (I think) two classes from the religion department, but there a wide variety of courses to choose from, from introduction to the Bible to classes on Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, etc. Non-Lutherans are more than welcome.</p>
<p>My S had lunch with a lovely student who said she was Catholic and had worried about this very question, and would she feel isolated? She said that she felt totally respected and welcomed and didn't feel any sense that her religion was a problem. But that still left us all with questions, since my son considers himself somewhere between an agnostic and an atheist. what percentage of the student body is not religious? We loved Saint Olaf but we are still wondering what the answer to that question is. How comfortable do totally non religious people feel there?</p>
<p>According to the St.O. admissions site, when asked about religion, 18% of the student body responded "no response/no affiliation." I am Lutheran, but when I was there, many of my friends and roommates considered themselves agnostic. An atheist could be expected to have his beliefs challenged or debated, but I think most St. Olaf students would love such a debate or discussion. Agnostics or atheists would still be welcome on campus, and the atmosphere is one of genuine respect for other's beliefs. I would say that most non-religious people feel quite comfortable on campus.</p>
<p>I'm applying to St. Olaf as well but four of my five siblings have attended St. Olaf and they have loved it. We're atheists and they felt very comfortable there. Yes, religion class is required but as someone said, there's a wide variety of classes to choose from. I stayed at St. Olaf for a week and I didn't feel that religion was an issue at all while I was there.</p>