<p>I’m Jewish, and even though BC is catholic, how accepted are people of other religions? Does the campus feel catholic (how prevalent is it there)? Just help me out> Im trying to decide if I should visit when I go up to Boston over the summer.</p>
<p>i toured BC when applying to colleges. while there are some jewish student, it is a very small population (although at that time, the national hillel student pres. was a BC student). also, on the tour, i felt like they really emphasized catholicism- pointing out catholic symbolism all over campus. i just didnt feel comfortable there, which was too bad because i liked a lot of the other aspects of the school.
you might want to tour anyways, to get your own opinion- it is also important to note that chestnut hill is in the middle of a very jewish area, so there will be off campus opportunities .</p>
<p>There are very few Jewish people</p>
<p>im not really worried about being able to go to temple or do jewish activities, more wanted to know how catholic it felt (if that makes sense)</p>
<p>yeah coming from a jesuit high school. my best friends (who aren't catholic) had enough of the catholic ways being thrown at them.</p>
<p>The Catholic ways are by no means "thrown at you." In fact, its quite the opposite. Catholicism is there for the taking at the school, you can choose to take part in it or completely ignore it. As a non-Catholic and fairly non-religious person, I feel completely fine at the school. In fact I really never notice any Catholic influence besides crosses on some buildings and a few Jesuit priests walking around (who are, by the way, amazing professors).</p>
<p>i have similar concerns... i have no religious affiliation and am often times bothered by the catholic religion... is this going to be a problem at BC</p>
<p>sorry to be so blunt but if "the catholic religion bothers you"....forget about BC. Its the leading jesuit university in the country...so its obviosuly catholic enough for you to be botherd by it.</p>
<p>:( i am going there next fall</p>
<p>catholocism isnt that bad really, ull learn to deal</p>
<p>Our D is our least "religious" child, and she LOVES BC!!!!!!! It has not been a factor at all in her life there. But she has told us that the Jesuits she has met, and who have been professors of a few of her classes, are outstanding. The Jesuits have been educators for a very long time!!!!</p>
<p>My goodness - WHY would you even apply to a Jesuit university if you are often bothered by the Catholic religion? There are so many equally fine colleges and universities to choose from, I can't imagine why anyone would choose to go to a school where they have issues/concerns with the basic foundation of the institution. That being said, I think you will quickly fall in love with BC (if you haven't already!).</p>
<p>I hate scott ogden: the religious aspects of BC are NOT of the in-your-face variety. A lot of the professors are Jewish or other non-Christians. The Catholic students will most likely bend over backwards to ensure that you feel comfortable.</p>
<p>I will be going next year and I hear there is no pressure at all. Yes there are crosses on the buildings and i htink in the classroom but it seems like such a great school...everything is so beautiful</p>
<p>be careful, people at bc think jews have claws</p>
<p>lol..............</p>
<p>How bad could it be? Jesus was Jewish and the Pope wears a yarmulke. Jews and the Irish are both known for corned beef. Spinoza was both Jewish and Catholic. Abe Vigoda seems to want it both ways too. There is a lot more overlap here than you think. Though I think that BC/Brandeis mixer is still a ways off.</p>
<p>I just posted this in another thread too, but I think it's worth repeating.</p>
<p>Don't let the whole "Jesuit" thing freak you out. Trust me.</p>
<p>My father is Jewish and my mother is Catholic; I was raised Catholic, but I'm at a point where I barely agree with the Church's teachings, and question the validity of organized religion in its entirety. I WAS a bit leery because of what I'd heard about the school -- not necessarily about the fact that it was Jesuit, but the fact that a good portion of the students who go to BC ARE practicing Catholics and hold views that are separate from my own.</p>
<p>Yes, there are places of worship on campus. Yes, there are Jesuit instructors (who, by the way, are some of the most interesting and awesome professors you'll meet at BC). Yes, there is a theology requirement (but there are a number of options that aren't exclusively "Catholic" in their subject matter). Yes, the administration has taken some stances that I do not agree with -- but by no means do the views of the administration reflect those of the student body. There are vocal presences on both liberal and conservative sides of the religious and political spectrum. This does, at times, create tension. But above all, it generates honest and productive conversation, something that is definitely encouraged here.</p>
<p>But I've rarely felt uncomfortable with the Jesuit presence. If anything, I've felt even more comfortable at BC because I know that it's something that's there for the taking if you want it, but it's also something that can be handily overlooked. The party line here is "men and women for others" -- we place such a great emphasis on service for others. Thousands of students participate in Appalachia service trips each year (some include Habitat for Humanity projects, others include a more immersive "community" experience)....which is sponsored by Campus Ministry, but it is by no means a religious experience.</p>
<p>What I really am drawing from my one year at BC is that professors and other students truly care about how you spend your time here -- I don't think we're coddled, but we're definitely taken care of because of the school's foundations.</p>
<p>I'll be honest -- you'll definitely be in the minority. But isn't that a big criticism people have regarding BC? That it's "homogenous"? Yes, it's nice to be with people who share similar beliefs, similar backgrounds -- whatever. But it's even MORE enriching to everyone involved when people DO take chances and come to a place where they're not necessarily in the mathematical majority. There were two Muslim girls and a Jewish girl on my floor this past year. All admitted that they were taking a big "risk" coming here, and that people constantly questioned their motives. But they are so glad they decided to take that risk.</p>
<p>Sorry if this is a long post, but I really wanted to emphasize this, since it was a lingering worry as I entered my first year here.</p>
<p>Excellent post!</p>
<p>I'm half Jewish, but not really associated with any religion. I visited the campus, and I'd say that there is a catholic air about the place(if that's possible), but really nothing overbearing. You will see some crosses and stained glass but there is also a friendly, welcoming feeling. No Catholic values or beliefs are conveyed.</p>