If you have a strong Christian faith isn't it better to go to a secular college?

<p>I can see "being with one's own kind and values" is somewhat important during the formative years of childhood but a college graduate is a young adult who has to eventually live in the wider world.</p>

<p>It seems to me that 18 years olds and their parents who think a lot about Christian colleges are probably the strongest in their faith and therefore the best prepared to thrive in a secular college. I'm not saying that they should avoid Christian colleges but I think they need a Christian college less than they think.</p>

<p>A young adult's faith is tested and usually strengthened when they have have to live and study in a secular environment with kids or many different faiths.</p>

<p>My family is protestant and we have two kids in college. One goes to a secular large liberal university where non-Asian white Christians are in the minority. Sometimes he comes home from school saying there is no God, sometimes he comes home touting the advantages of other non-Christian religions, sometimes he comes home expressing a surprisingly deep and well thought out belief in his native Christianity. To all these these declarations I say "Good" as these are the issues that all young people should slip into and out of as they pass from childhood into adulthood testing their beliefs. He wouldn't get these same tests of his faith if he went to a homogeneous Christian college.</p>

<p>My younger daughter goes to a large Catholic university. Even though this is her first year I can already see her environment as much more insulated. She isn't going to have the same lively debates in the dining hall as her brother and that's too bad.</p>

<p>I'm confident that both my kids with end up being good people of faith but I think my son's experience will better serve his long term faith than my daughters.</p>

<p>Just my two cents...........</p>

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<p>For you, not necessarily for her or anyone else.</p>

<p>I would say two things:</p>

<p>1) The graduates of religiously affiliated colleges seem to come out fine and are able to function in the real world</p>

<p>2) No secular college can come close to the environment of a very religious college (not, say, Georgetown), so there is in fact a humongous tradeoff if you like religious schools in the first place</p>

<p>3) The “debate” or whatever was highly praised at my high school and at my university (secular), and honestly I’m finding it to be quite…unhelpful in any serious regard</p>

<p>To me, this question would be akin to saying if you are truly content in your far left liberal beliefs, isn’t it better to go to a Conservative college? After all, the wider world that we all live in is pretty evenly split between conservatives and liberals (as per most elections recently) and if you grew up in a sheltered liberal environment (which I did by the way), then wouldn’t it be better to see what the “other side” has to offer to at least learn to get along with them?</p>

<p>For some students, the answer to this is yes. More power to them. Most would feel out of place trying to stand up for their beliefs when few agree with them and many (even professors) might openly degrade them. For those who relish this, they are likely to find a small community of “fellow believers” to confide in and find close friends.</p>

<p>For many others, being part of a community with shared values (even among professors) is something they would treasure. At any college (Christian or far left liberal or in between) there is some diversity. Students aren’t all clones of each other in beliefs or actions. Regardless of what a few say on here, the education at various schools is pretty equal. Some of each type have higher caliber students, mid caliber students, and lower caliber students. It would be important to look at freshman class stats to get a “best fit” just as they ought to with any college. Don’t send a high caliber student to a low caliber school or they will likely be bored stiff. (Low caliber students are less likely to get admitted to high caliber schools.) With Christian colleges one has the added dimension of checking out theology and any extra “life rules” one might care or not care about. Those definitely add to fit (or lack thereof). When it comes to hiring (or grad school) an undergrad is just as likely to get bias for a certain school as against it in most cases - again - the main basis will be on other factors.</p>

<p>My thoughts are for a student to go where they feel they fit in. If they want a Christian education, by all means, search out Christian colleges. My oldest is at one now and doesn’t regret his decision in the least. He’s loving it there, getting a good education, and has already had a company contact him about doing an internship his junior year. My middle son is likely to go to a secular school, but will look for similar minded Christians for his “hang around” group.</p>

<p>Once all get out into real life, they will meet the rest of the world anyway (unless they are in an isolated field more populated with liberals or conservatives). It’s not until I was in the outside world that I switched from being liberal to conservative. People could just as easily switch the other way. College years only add “so much” to one’s education. Life does the rest. Enjoy your college years!</p>

<p>@Creekland, great response. As conservative Catholics, we are wrestling with a similar issue right now. The solid Catholic college where my son has been accepted is pretty stingy with financial aid (a big issue for us). Plus, we’re not sure it’s academically challenging. (We’re spending this upcoming weekend there, so I guess we’ll find out more.)</p>

<p>Meanwhile, as NC residents, we enjoy the advantage of a <em>great</em> state college system with affordable tuition rates and excellent fin-aid opportunities (including several potential full-ride scholarships). But the various institutions are as liberal as all get-out. On the other hand, they have strong Catholic student centers…but is that sufficient to overcome the possibly harmful influence of hard-left professors with an ax to grind?</p>

<p>“Once all get out into real life, they will meet the rest of the world anyway…”</p>

<p>That is so true. I used to work with a young recent graduate of Bob Jones University (VERY nice guy). I still keep in touch with him via Twitter. Believe me, he has mellowed a lot over the years, LOL.</p>

<p>This topic fascinates me. I am in a prayer group for our high school. Often the moms pray for their kids to go to christian colleges. I totally get it; I want my kids to have christian friends and to have opportunities to have fellowship, learn academically about religion, etc. But, I have to say, that I became a christian at a secular college, probably the most liberal God-questioning school in the world. I was in a suite with two born again students and went to Campus Crusade. There is salt and light everywhere. For ME, I am a stronger christian because I lived in a secular college. For others, a christian school would be best. There is no right answer. Some will grow stronger is a christian school, others in a secular school.</p>

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I think the answer is yes…and how hard-left are professors in the UNC system anyway? I think you will find that they tend to be liberal, but this idea that professors are out to destroy kids’ religious beliefs is largely a myth, in my opinion.</p>

<p>Well, the idea that campus liberal left-winging is mythology is a comforting but sadly delusional notion in too many classrooms and campuses. In fact, it’s increasingly pervasive and deteriorating even in high schools and below. It’s startling. And it’s a function of politicization. Most, nearly all academics, like main-stream media, are now democrats. And for better or worse, that increasingly means liberal. In our house, home to a unionized teacher, we received an expensive, high-end, glossy NEA and state education association plea to vote democrat, nearly every day for several months preceding the elections. And that is what drives this. Union dues to buy votes. Ironically, tenuring which was intended to encourage and protect diverse thinking has fostered lemming-like behavior among academics. Think like me, or pass no muster.</p>

<p>But mythology? No way.</p>

<p>The myth is that a Democrat is a “hard-left liberal with an ax to grind.” Your perception of this may be different if you’re on the hard right, of course.</p>

<p>And I think this idea that liberal professors will punish conservative students is also wildly overblown. It may happen occasionally, but it’s really not very likely to have a significant effect on any particular student. I will say that there are certain conservative/religious views that probably will hamper a student’s happiness on a secular campus. If you are a creationist (and especially a young-earth creationist), you may well be penalized for expressing those views in science classes. And if you are particularly outspoken against gay rights, you may be ostracized on some campuses. But you’re not going to be ostracized or penalized for being a Republican or a Christian, even a (relatively) fundamentalist or evangelical one.</p>

<p>Just wanted to add my two cents… My son is attending one of the SUNY schools. He was able to find a small Bible study group last year. This year they’ve applied to make it an official club and have been attracting 1-2 new students each week. So, if your child is comfortable in the secular world, there are tremendous opportunities to be a light in a dark world. Also, so many college students are seeking something and it’s great that we have Christian students available to share their faith and hope on the secular campuses.</p>

<p>I took a look at what is supposed to be the least religious college–Reed. Even they have a Christian group, although it’s called “Oh for Christ’s Sake.” Here’s a little info about it: [Reed</a> College | Student Activities | Student Organizations](<a href=“http://info.reed.edu/student_activities/studentorgs.taf?_function=detail&id=582.0]Reed”>http://info.reed.edu/student_activities/studentorgs.taf?_function=detail&id=582.0)
While this may not be the school for somebody who’s a right-wing fundamentalist, my point is that even at Reed there is a group with the motto “love people, trust Jesus.”</p>

<p>In response to your thought on lack of debate, I say this. Why not have debates at a Christian college? In fact, I would argue these debates would be even more useful. At a secular college, it is likely you would be arguing something cut and dry in your mind–“does God exist?” However, at a Christian College, the debates would be more theological in nature and would allow us to explore exactly what we believe and allow us to shape our beliefs more precisely and learn more about our faith.</p>

<p>This is interesting.
I went to a public high school-- totally exposed. Then a small, private Christian university. After that I’ll enter the field of Social Work.
I don’t know anyone at my school who felt it was necessary to come here for their faith, but rather chose it based on the comfort of the atmosphere, athletics, or academics. I personally prefer the smaller school and am enjoying being around others who will discuss with me in love, but I do not by any means feel that we all agree one hundred percent on beliefs. I don’t think anyone would say that.
But it is definitely a bubble feeling on many Christian campuses.</p>

<p>It might get confusing when the professors discuss scientific theories and facts rather than just saying GodDidIt.</p>

<p>To answer the original question… I was at a Christian college visit, and another visitor asked the question this thread is about. The religious studies professor said something that amused me:</p>

<p>Professor: Do you play sports?
Student: Yes, the swim team.
Professor: And do you learn more about swimming in PE or on the swim team?</p>

<p>Which, if you didn’t catch it, is basically pointing out that being in a group where everyone wants to grow in their skills (or faith) is more useful than a general group. As some other professors explained, at secular schools, it’s more a matter of arguing the basic questions (Does God exist?) whereas you get more in-depth questions at a Christian college.</p>

<p>:]</p>

<p>Great post …as Pastor Ken Ham might say (Answers In Genesis) …</p>

<p>Do you want to be evangelizing like Paul to Greeks, i.e. who have no idea they are even lost, let alone grasping any need for a Savior, i.e. most of our culture today …</p>

<p>or …</p>

<p>Do you want to be preaching to the choir …or need the the preacher to be guiding you.
Even in many so called “Christian” colleges, they are severely neutered, diluted, and deluded in that they surrendered to the culture that the Bible can be enjoined with the culture, that science is somehow at odds with Christ (rather than having been created by Him), that the Bible is merely a collection moral stories rather than the syllabus for all of human history, science, morality and ethos …</p>

<p>So many so-called Christian institutions have been minimalized by their compromising.</p>

<p>What’s the point? In the end, barring a very few places, there is very little difference between most sectarian and secular institutions. And thus this becomes a debate discussing the potential number of angels that might dance on the head of a pin, our Lord’s ability to create a rock too big for Him to lift, etc.</p>

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This advice is OK if your primary purpose in going to college is to develop your understanding of your own faith. Note that this advice came from a religious studies professor. So, if you think you are going to be a religious studies major, or plan to be a pastor, etc., then it makes lots of sense to go to a school that fits your beliefs.</p>

<p>But to carry the PE analogy in a slightly different direction, it seems to me that there are muscles that only get stronger if they are exercised against resistance.</p>

<p>I don’t get this… why would someone who wanted Christian profs (for whatever reason and whatever the study) need to stick to Biblical Studies?</p>

<p>There are Christians in literally every field out there, not just Biblical Studies. One of the major reasons my son absolutely loves his college (oldest son - Christian college) is because the Profs all share his faith and nothing needs to be “hidden/covered up/pretend it’s not there” when discussing aspects of the subject in class. It doesn’t matter if it’s Accounting or Old Testament Studies. His majors are Business and Community Development.</p>

<p>I went to a secular school and now sort of wish I had had similar experiences as my son is getting now. It wasn’t right to be open about faith in a secular setting classroom. If in a good school, the actual education doesn’t change (accounting is still accounting), but what can be talked about in regards to ethics and such things sure differs. Either secular or Christian can produce a good accountant who gets hired.</p>

<p>IMO, the reason to select a Christian college is if one wants to have faith integrated into all parts of study - to be open with it instead of compartmentalizing it into “accepted” areas. Then too, as Whistle Pig stated, check the college as not all Christian colleges do this.</p>

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I don’t understand in what way it wasn’t “right.”

I suppose this may be true of accounting, but I don’t think it would be as true of other fields in which exposure to differing views is important, such as philosphy, political science, and even English.</p>

<p>Do you seriously think it IS right to be openly talking about how one’s faith motivates them to make a decision one way or another in a public school classroom setting? I don’t. It NEVER came up in any of my classes in 4 years at secular U, nor would I have expected it to.</p>

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<p>What makes you think that differing views aren’t talked about in Christian colleges? Maybe at some of the far conservative ones they aren’t (BJU or Pensacola), but I can assure you at my son’s college they are. People hold different views there too - on many different issues. The common denominator is their Christian faith (at least, among students that want to be there - and ALL professors).</p>