<p>Hi! I have some question about Duke in general. I've noticed that Duke is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. How important is religion at Duke?? Also, according to PR, the "Town-Gown Relations Are Strained" at Duke.. So does it mean that the campus is not very safe? And another question.. are most of the students at Duke party/sports people? Sorry.. just wondering. =) Thanks in advance for your inputs.</p>
<p>It's a pretty weak affiliation. The campus is relatively safe though if you go off campus, it gets worse. Use common sense and walk in groups. There are a lot of sports/party people but I wouldn't say it was the majority.</p>
<p>It is very weak. The capel doesn't even give Methodist services if I recall correctly. They simply give Christian non-denominational every Sunday. Also they have had same-sex unions and that is against Methodist dogma, which I am familiar with as I am a Methodist.</p>
<p>About the town... Durham is not the greatets place. Go to Chapel Hill. hat is the ideal college town and it is only about 5miles south of Duke.</p>
<p>Duke isn't officially affiliated with the Methodist church anymore, but collegeboard hasn't changed its site to show that yet</p>
<p>It is no longer affiliated? Hmm... I thought it was, albeit loosely. </p>
<p>Either way they have a really nice Chapel. It is one of the three biggest in the country. I do believe the other two are West Point and Princeton. In which order I do not know.</p>
<p>I believe the only part of the university that is still affiliated is the Divinity School, where if you go to become a minister you will graduate a Methodist minister. The chapel services are indeed non-denominational. There are lots of student groups representing various religious groups.</p>