Religion at Duke

<p>This going to be a dumb question but how important is religion at Duke? Its a methodist school and I am an agnostic to atheist. Would I get along ok?</p>

<p>I guess its like anything. Be respectful that others have a belief in God or a stone temple.</p>

<p>it's no problem. i'm jewish, i have many chrisitan friends, hindu, buddhist, agnostic, athiest...everything. duke is a very accepting community - no worries in that department.</p>

<p>It's not a big deal at all if you don't want it to be. Duke is also unaffiliated with the Methodist Church now. It was affiliated up until a couple of years ago. A lot of books still say that Duke is, but their information is outdated.</p>

<p>On the opposite end of the spectrum, do people think it's weird to go to church on Sundays? I am a pretty devoted Christian, so would I be the only student attending services?</p>

<p>Not at all, there is a large number of students who attend services of their various faiths. In a recent survey, I think it was about 33% regularly attended some sort of religious service. I'd say that's pretty high for college. On Sundays you see alot of the kids in the dining halls dressed up from going to church.</p>

<p>duke25 - where did you see that Duke became unaffiliated with the United Methodist Church? The Rev. Canon Dr. Wells, the Dean of the Chapel, is not a Methodist, but that doesn't change the affiliation Duke has.</p>

<p>Yeah... I know the services at the chapel are now nondenominational... but I thought Duke still had an affiliation with the Methodist Church.</p>

<p>Also... how would you suggest a student dress to go to Duke Chapel on Sunday? I'm not planning to go all the time... but I want to go at least some.</p>

<p>Chapel services are fairly dressy. for instance, a guy doesn't need to wear a suit, but slacks and a nice button up tucked in would be appropriate. </p>

<p>To DukeEGR53: Yea, Duke is no longer associated in any formal way with the Methodist Church. They severed that connection about (approx.) 10 years ago and is now an officially secular institution. Admissions tour guides are told to reiterate this every time we give a tour of the chapel.</p>

<p>Not all of the services in the Chapel are nondenominational... there is a 9 p.m. Catholic Mass. The 11 a.m. mass is nondenominational.</p>

<p>I remember that two years ago the Chronicle did a story on religion at Duke, and they talked about how Duke has become unaffiliated. I'll see if I could find the article online.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Chapel services are fairly dressy. for instance, a guy doesn't need to wear a suit, but slacks and a nice button up tucked in would be appropriate.

[/quote]

That sounds more formal than I'm used to. How would that translate for the ladies? Dresses and skirts?</p>

<p>They usually just wear like a skirt and blouse. No need for dresses, hats, etc. Plus, remember: you're a college student. People don't expect you to be dressed up all the time. I came there from K-ville once with muddy jeans and a tshirt.</p>