Can you teach in a Catholic school if you're not religious?

Question

I'm assuming you probably can, because I've worked at a Christian school before and I'm not Christian, and a few of my coworkers weren't, too.

But for anyone who has TAUGHT (full-time) in a religious school without following that religion, did it make you very uncomfortable? Or was religion rarely an issue?

Answer 1

In Ontario and Quebec you need a baptismal certificate, conformation proof and a letter from your priest to teach in the Catholic school system..... not so suprising a lot of my teachers in catholic school had those things done when they were little and attended church for a year to get the note and were actually athiests.

Even my religion teacher lol!

Answer 2

You most certainly may! I am an American English teacher in schools in Thailand. The religion in Thailand follows Buddha. I am Presbytarian and God says we may not worship another God. That doesn't mean I can't participate in school or social activities based around the Thai religion though.

Buddha is not a God, he was a man who showed people how to do the right thing and find God. God has many names in our world through different religions, but it's still only one God. Only the specifics of how He is honored is different. Not much different from thinking of the different dialects of English spoken in just the U.S. alone. The language of God is spoken in many different ways but it's still only one God.

No one can force us to believe in God or a God. Not even the church. If someone working for a Catholic school didn't even believe there was a God, they would only need to be careful not to show it in any way. That teacher or worker would need to accept the conditions of where they've chosen to work and adapt what others see in and about them. They could not interfere in any way what the school chooses to present to the students.

That's the prerequisite for the worker. The church schools are each different. Some may accept a teacher who is agnostic and some may not. It must only be made clear to this school that you won't interfere. If you choose to believe something different than what the Catholic sector of Christianity presents, you need to keep it to yourself.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about your being uncomfortable; I would be concerned about my child learning under you.
You DON'T have to be Catholic. Many Protestants teach in Catholic schools and universities. However, it's doubtful that a religious organization would hire an agnostic or an atheist, since religion courses are part of the curriculum.

Answer 4

You definitely can, but as for feeling uncomfortable...I don't know. There are the hippy, sweet, gentle catholic schools where the principal keeps her beagle in her office adn he occasionally escapes and class is called off to go catch Seamus, and there are still a few where the rulers come out to play...bottom line, every catholic school is different, just like public schools, and it comes down to what is the best fit for you.

Answer 5

I knew a Unitarian Universalist who taught at a Catholic School. She did pretty well most of the time. There were some stressful moments, though.

Answer 6

Our local Catholic School Board will only hire practicing Catholics who can bring a letter from their church saying they attend services regularly. Students must be baptised to be admitted to the school. And the best part is that it's all paid for by tax dollars!

:|

Answer 7

AFAIK, Catholic schools here where I live won't even consider hiring you if you aren't Catholic.

Answer 8

Sure, you just have to pretend. My friend who isn't religious had to pretend to be devout and she wasn't.