<p>I don't follow a religion. I don't consider myself atheist or agnostic or anything, but I just don't like religion. I don't mind when people are religious, though, as long as they don't shove their beliefs down my throats.</p>
<p>I'm pretty liberal. I support gay marriage, I'm indifferent toward abortions, and I'm very adamant with my opinions.</p>
<p>I'm looking at Muhlenberg. I decided to overlook the religious affiliation, because it seems like a great school. I plan pursuing a double major, with theatre being one half of that, and the theatre program there seems awesome.</p>
<p>I have a few questions:
1) Would I be overwhelmed by people's religious beliefs?
2) Would I be judged/shunned for being non-religious with liberal views?
3) Do religious morals stop the theatre department from putting on plays that are slightly inappropriate or ones that involve homosexuality? (For example, would the school object to doing RENT?)</p>
<p>Thank you! :)</p>
<p>We just got back from dropping my daughter off for her sophomore year. She is a theater major and is likely to minor in womens studies so I can answer the questions from our perspective.</p>
<p>1) While there are many kids engaged in some sort of religious activity there are many, many who are not. It certainly doesn’t seem to dominate the campus. The Hillel is very active and offers a lot of programming that attracts even non-Jewish kids. But it’s not an in your face sort of thing. I think my daughter’s friends are a real mix. </p>
<p>2) Absolutely not. Muhlenberg is very open and tolerant and nonjudgmental about religion or lack of religion. And overall I would say there are more liberal leaning folks than conservative leaning folks but it’s pretty low-key.</p>
<p>3) Again, absolutely not. One of the mainstage productions last year dealt with homosexuality- StopKiss. There is always a student produced Rocky Horror Picture Show production. And there are lots of student-directed and student written productions which deal with all sorts of subjects. </p>
<p>If you visit the campus (which I recommend if you are really interested because they like to interview students) set up an appt with the theater department and I think you will be reassured that they are very open to all sorts of theater. Take a look at this year’s mainstages. [Muhlenberg</a> Theatre & Dance: Mainstage](<a href=“http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/theatre-dance/onstage/mainstage.html]Muhlenberg”>http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/theatre-dance/onstage/mainstage.html)</p>
<p>I don’t think you would notice a difference in the religious feel of Muhlenberg and any other LAC.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>if this was 1875 I would be concerned. most private schools had a church affiliation when they started in the 18th or 19th century but now that connection is so loose at best I would not even think twice about it. you really should visit. the school is very lgbtq tolerant.</p>
<p>Alrighty. Thanks, guys! </p>
<p>I’m going to an open house in October. I wish I could visit sooner, but I figured I’ll just wait it out until the open house.</p>
<p>Kittycatwindow, you basically described me and my only worry about Muhlenberg. I, too, am not religious but do not describe myself as agnostic or athiest. I hold the same views on homosexuality and abortion and the like, and have no problem with religion of it’s not forced on me. I even want to double major in theatre and another study.
I’ve already visited and interviewed with the school earlier in the year, as well as got a look at their theatre department. In the day on campus, I didn’t get a judgmental or overly religious energy from the campus or students - they were all very friendly. I even asked the admissions counselor who interviewed me how it would be for someone with no religion on campus. She told me that the campus was very open and you would never feel uncomfortable or pressured because of your religion (or lack of).
She did say, however, that you have to take a course relating to religion in some form. She also told me that these classes range from religion in Star Trek to the Holocaust. So it seems interesting.</p>
<p>(The theatre department is fantastic. It’s very well equipped. The class I sat in on was brilliant - it definitely made my mind up about the school.)</p>
<p>Yay! I’m not alone! Maybe I’ll see you there!
That’s not bad. I’m fine with learning about religion, just not living it. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>kittycatwindow, muhlenberg is a gem of a school and it is going to be one of the "it "schools in the next couple of years for great students who are well rounded and who want the full college experience!! like hendrix college muhleneberg already has a following, but it is moving into the ranks of schools on a lot of peoples radar!</p>