i am a rising senior and am interested in georgetown along with george washington university, both in the DC area. I really like georgetown but i know that it is affiliated with catholicism. between the two, i would pick GWU over GU but i wanted to know how strongly religion is tied into GU’s academics. Are there mandatory religious events? I myself am heavily nonreligious while my parents are quite the opposite so it would seem unorthodox to apply to GU. Can someone help?
I am in the same boat (staunch atheist whose top choice is Georgetown). From what I’ve gathered/observed, there isn’t much to be worried about. There are no mandatory religious events. There is, however, two mandatory theology class.es One is called The Problem of God and you can choose any other theology course for the second. Read more here: https://college.georgetown.edu/academics/core-requirements/theology
thanks for that @haz1299! i think that eliminates GU from my list entirely
I think it is a little hasty to take GU off your list for 2 theology classes. For one GWU is not nearly in the same category as GU, they are not that similar and GU is undoubtly the more prestigious school with better academics. Besides that I consider myself an atheist, and have had no issues with GU at all. Yes you take 2 theology courses but neither you have like pressure you at all. Like the problem with God is different depending on prof but at the end of mine it was like questioning whether there is a god etc not like there’s a god he’s the catholic one and you have to follow his rules. And second course is in whatever you like, take a course on Buddhism or something it’s really just about expanding your knowledge not like pressuring a religion on you. And in general the school isn’t really religious as lots of people complain their not catholic enough lol. Religion doesn’t play a role in my life and school doesn’t pressure you into it but offers options of varying faiths should you choose to involve yourself.
Yea, I mean, I’m an atheist, although I’m generally tolerant of other people’s beliefs. So if you’re like Richard Dawkins, it’s probably not the place for you. If you’re open-minded about understanding the critical role that religion plays in the lives of many people around the world and are willing to engage with it rather than reflexively dismiss it (even as you continue to believe that it’s all a bunch of made-up nonsense, as I do), then I think it’s actually a very intellectually stimulating atmosphere.
My Problem of God professor described herself as “modern-day Druid” (she insists that they’re humanists these days and aren’t so much into the human sacrifice anymore) and we studied everything from Catholic saints’ cults to Jim Jones and the Kool Ade drinkers to Eastern religions. There’s a major difference between studying theology and taking what are essentially indoctrination or seminary courses, so it’s wise to not conflate them.
I’d say I’m “like Richard Dawkins” but I still don’t have a problem here - and I lean more towards strong anti-theist atheist than just eh, not sure about the whole thing. Being “that one kid” in Problem of God always asking questions was pretty fun. Take McKeown for POG.
Yes, I had Beth McKeown for Problem of God as well. She is fantastic.
When you mentioned druid I expected you were talking about her 