<p>Hi! I attend a relatively well known Catholic High School, but my faith has changed over the years to the point that I currently consider myself an Atheist. Would it be a bad idea to admit my Atheism on college applications, or should I just continue pretending to be religious?</p>
<p>If it helps, I plan on attending a secular college.</p>
<p>I don’t think you even have to answer the religion question. And a lot of schools (at least with the Common App) suppress your answer to that question, meaning they don’t care and don’t want to know.</p>
<p>Attending a Catholic school doesn’t mean that you’re Catholic or even religious. Catholic schools enroll Catholics, Prots, Jews, atheists, whatever.</p>
<p>moustache:</p>
<p>I’m not preachy or judgemental. Everyone’s faith journey is unique with their own circumstance and challenges. </p>
<p>But just know that any faith one retains in the heart is well worth the bumps in the road and the curves in the highway. I am always suspicious of those who claim to have never challenged their own faith, never examined key questions and never pondered the abject injustice of existential human life. Many Catholic colleges will not teach you doctrine, unless you sign up for a class in that, but will teach you to think about your faith from new perspectives and what it means to be Christian. How to think, not what to think…particularly if its a Jesuit college. Challenging one’s faith is the surest sign your faith is alive, as one friend of mine reminded me, and means YOU are alive. Its a very normal process and rather healthy. </p>
<p>You are not required to answer such personal questions, and in any event, schools are only really interested in your gpa, class rank, sat and some extra curricular activities to discern your character. </p>
<p>If I were you, I would grab the bull by the horns and take your thoughts, feelings, and ideas into a classroom (constructively) and ask those tough questions, keeping an open mind that you might achieve a powerful epiphany of your own. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>In most cases, a checkbox for religion has to do with
a) Eligibility for faith-specific scholarships
b) Alerting the appropriate campus chaplain of the pending arrival of a student</p>
<p>In your case, neither of these apply, so you can just leave the space blank.</p>
<p>If you apply to institutions that require essays and your journey away from the faith tradition of your birth has been important for you, this could be a possible essay topic. But given that you are currently attending a faith-based high school, it is perfectly OK to keep this private for now.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses guys. It seems that I can keep my religious matters private, which is nice because I really only like to talk about them with my closest friends. Not even my parents, because they’re really religious and think I am, too. I’m very non-militant about my beliefs, and try to be respectful of all faiths.</p>
<p>@sovereigndebt
Yeah I used to bring up tough questions in religion class, even when I was religious, but my teacher pretty much ignored the questions and told me I was a heretic bound for Hell. So now I just kinda stay quiet and sing the party line in essays, if you know what I mean. I don’t want to make any enemies/hurt anyone’s feelings/disturb the class/take away from anyone else’s faith at school, so I just have to make sure I don’t say anything controversial.</p>
<p>@happymomof1
Thanks, that’s a good idea about the essay topic. I hadn’t thought of that and think it’s worth keeping in mind.</p>
<p>Moustache: That won’t happen in college. Take your curiosity and thoughts and go for it…I have known agnostics to become theology majors! Nobody is going to condemn you. They may challenge your ideas, and ask you explain, and then you have to be prepared for their responses. e.g. perhaps suggesting you are blaming God for the problems in the institutional Church, which is common. The point is to embrace your questions, take them to a course and write about them, study all the angles, ask questions. Be open to criticism (academic criticism). </p>
<p>Your thoughts and feelings are normal at this age. We all get disgusted by bureaucracy, institutionalism, intolerance, insensitivity, and obfuscation of the truth. But that is part of life. The Jesuits are big…as in huge…proponents of taking the Gospel into your daily life and out into the community…in other words, doing what it says and helping to challenge social injustice. Just like people with depression often find a miraculous cure when helping others…there is a magical effect when we become more concerned with our fellow man…so too in religious, theological terms. When we live the faith we have been taught, instead of being passive pew sitters, we can reach an Epiphany. </p>
<p>For example, at a school like Fordham, you can do this in the Bronx by helping with internships in social justice causes, or you can take summer Go! trips to Latin and South America, where they live a rustic life but help others in Peace Corps like settings. Living your faith. </p>
<p>I don’t know you, but I sense you are just struggling with the absurdity of institutionalism of Church. I fully agree. Sometimes I wanna jump up and scream! LOL. “Don’t you fools and hypocrites see what you are doing? Is anyone here really paying attention? Is anyone doing ANYTHING about our problems?” </p>
<p>Take that same “rage” (controlled and channeled appropriately) into the classroom and challenge the doctrine, precepts and all the stuff everyone takes for granted. Professors love live discourse and healthy debate. (not pedantic and annoying distraction). </p>
<p>You might be very surprised how many share your fears and doubts and outrage. But that process is very healthy…and shows your faith is actually quite alive within you. </p>
<p>Its the process…the journey that matters. Try a Jesuit college. There are 28 to choose from.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<h1>Yeah I used to bring up tough questions in religion class, even when I was religious, but my teacher pretty much ignored the questions and told me I was a heretic bound for Hell. So now I just kinda stay quiet and sing the party line in essays, if you know what I mean. I don’t want to make any enemies/hurt anyone’s feelings/disturb the class/take away from anyone else’s faith at school, so I just have to make sure I don’t say anything controversial.</h1>
<p>I know that this isn’t the point of the thread, but I wanted to comment on this.</p>
<p>My kids went to Catholic schools, and sometimes non-Catholics or whatever would want to derail the religion classes. It’s fine to ask questions and have the teacher respond, but sometimes these kids just wanted to be “center of attention” and would try to monopolize the classes. When one teacher found that his class was constantly getting derailed by one particular Episcopalian student who was annoyed that Catholics don’t ordain women and that she couldn’t receive Communion during the school Masses, he finally told that child, if you want to further discuss those issues, please see me after class. The student never came because the intent was lost…to be center of attention and to have an audience.</p>
<p>I’m not saying that was your intent.</p>
<p>Oh, and Sovereign…the Church is not absurd. You may not understand the Church, and that’s probably what the situation is. </p>
<p>Yes, Moustache…if you have a question, ask a Catholic that is knowledgeable and is able to “break things down” so that doctrines are understandable. Not many can, even many HS religion teachers can’t. If you have a particular question, you can PM me. I have taught Catholic Apologetics classes for years. There isn’t a doctrine that I can’t fully explain.</p>
<p>Oh my goodness, mom. That is rather condescending and judgmental of you. Whats up with that? </p>
<p>I do understand the Church, thank you very much. I’m likely older than you. I am proudly Jesuit educated, and take my faith very seriously. I know some nationally recognized PROMINENT Jesuits with PhD’s in Theology from Harvard and UChicago who happen to agree with me.</p>
<p>I am not however, one of those robotic repeat/rinse types, who memorizes, never challenges authority and criticizes those who do. If you know anything about Jesuits, you know that many of them (particularly in the Theology faculty) are/were at the forefront of Catholic thought, often to the dismay of the Curia in Rome.</p>
<p>Sorry, if that offends your rather strict view of what it means to be catholic, but that is the way it is. I don’t appreciate your slap down criticism and condescension.</p>
<p>Moustache: ignore her. She has 34,000 posts. Enough said. Now she thinks she is going to personally counsel you on your theological journey and has “all the answers.” That is arrogant and absurd. LOL. It never ceases to amaze me what people say here.</p>
<p>You take your questions into class and ask away. I specifically said dont be pedantic or disruptive, but engage in discourse. That is the essence of a Jesuit education.</p>
<p>OK thanks for the responses, guys; I really didn’t intend for there to be any harsh feelings, though.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids
I appreciate your offer of a breakdown of religious doctrine. Really, I do, because it is a very nice gesture. For the record, though, I am naturally a very introverted person, so bringing attention to myself is the last thing I would want to do in class. Don’t worry, I am not one to try to disrupt the class discussion or anything. I am baptized Catholic, and I mentioned that “I used to bring up questions in class, even when I was religious,” meaning that I brought up such questions when I considered myself a Catholic. Now, in order to make sure I don’t offend anyone, I pretty much don’t talk in class unless it is directly regarding an upcoming test.</p>
<p>Please don’t pretend to be something you’re not if the question is required. If a school won’t take you for who you are, you probably shouldn’t even go there.</p>
<p>moustache: </p>
<p>I have no problem with differing opinions. I was offended because she took a direct swipe at me in a holier than thou attitude. I’ve been around way too long to tolerate that. I am a good Catholic. I also think good Catholics can challenge their faith and their institution, which makes it better. </p>
<p>You may well be an extremely well mannered person and quiet in class. Nothing wrong with that. Just know that going to college is about growth. Not rote doctrine. And with that growth, you will find a way to express your points of view, whether that is in writing on papers or in class discussion, or informally in the school cafeteria or someone’s dorm room. I assure you that everyone does! </p>
<p>I’m not even liberal! LOL. I just embrace the notion of learning through discourse, reading and writing…and being brave enough to express and defend your own positions. I’ve told Bishops I know what I think, respecting their office and dignity. </p>
<p>Whatever you decide to do in college, or where you go, don’t ever let someone get away with condemning you to hell or telling you that your opinions are wrong and they have absolute authority. So long as you can defend your positions, civilly and reasonably and logically, then go for it. </p>
<p>Anyone who has studied the History of the Catholic Church (and I have) knows that a lot of church doctrine (but not all) comes out of the Dark Ages and Middle Ages…and our world is no longer that way to say the least. </p>
<p>Don’t preclude applying to catholic colleges because of your questions about faith and the Church. And for the record it was the Dominicans who started the Inquisition in Spain, not the Jesuits. LOL.</p>
<p>@sovereigndebt
I understand why you were offended, and I don’t blame you at all.</p>
<p>“I also think good Catholics can challenge their faith and their institution, which makes it better.”</p>
<p>I definitely agree with you here. I’ve gone through many phases in my faith, and for all I know, I may end up a priest some day! My Freshman Religion teacher taught the class that it is common and even helpful for a Catholic to go through many phases (like I did), including “searching faith,” which is where a believer may stray from Church doctrine and explore/experiment/experience other religions (or lack of religions). I liked my Freshman Religion teacher. He was extremely intelligent, with an enormous understanding of the Catholic faith, he was a incredibly ethical person, and he was tolerant and respectful of everyone’s beliefs, including this one Hindu kid in our class.</p>
<p>I’ll keep some Catholic colleges in mind. I’m not against going to a religious school, it’s just that most of the schools I’ve been looking at happen to be secular. On second thought, isn’t Boston College a Jesuit school? I’ve considered that one…</p>
<p>@pierre0913
Good point. I just don’t want to find myself at a disadvantage when applying to a dream school or something, you know what I mean?</p>
<p>Moustache:</p>
<p>No problem. I get my dander up in situations like that.</p>
<p>Go where you fit the best and will be challenged.</p>
<p>Boston College is one of 28 Jesuit schools. <a href=“http://www.ajcunet.edu/[/url]”>http://www.ajcunet.edu/</a></p>
<p>All of them are wonderful. My kid went to Fordham…another stellar Jesuit school. Nobody at Fordham forces religion on you. You go to Mass if you want. You dont if you dont want to. The faculty is largely lay faculty. Fabulous weekend retreats for spiritual searching…no pressure…just self examination. No judgement.</p>
<p>You can check the box you are Catholic because you are baptized Catholic. That is a teeny factor in admissions. Its not a lie. Your emotional and spiritual state of mind are your business. </p>
<p>Mother Teresa famously had SERIOUS doubts about God. Fact. (I know a bishop who knew her very very well.) </p>
<p>I applaud your intellectual honesty. My main point is to embrace your search and feelings…don’t let anyone ever beat you down or tell you that you are going to hell. They have no clue. God is very merciful and understands our doubts. </p>
<p>I’ve known priests who struggle with issues. Its okay. And very normal.</p>
<p>Never stop searching. There are agnostics at Fordham…and professors from all faiths and backgrounds. That is healthy. The journey is part of who you are and where you are going. Relax and let it be, as the song goes.</p>
<p>I wish you all the best.</p>