I really want to attend a particular college because of its location and great academics. It is a private college affiliated with the United Methodist church. I have a full tuition scholarship.
The only thing I may have against this school is that I am not religious and am scared I won't fit in there, or that the staff may look down upon me for not attending chapel. My political views are liberal and I consider myself an independent or democrat. I'm a little afraid of being lynched.
Has anyone has any experience with this? Any ideas as to how I can gain a better perspective of how seriously religion is taken at this school?
I do know that there are no religious requirements for students to be admitted and that once admitted a student is not required to attend chapel.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
2007-03-28 15:22:24 · 18 answers · asked by Jessica LeAnn 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
relax you will find that there are several other students that are not religious,
sorry but the Methodist quire friendly, and not at all over zealous. similar to the Presbyterians.
2007-03-28 15:27:50 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want to attend chapel, don't. It might be nice to see what goes on there once or twice, to gain perspective as to what other students are doing, but don't feel compelled. Religion, like it or not, has shaped society somewhat, and learing about it isnt' a bad thing. I went to religous shcools for a good number of years, and I'm now a Pagan. I don't regret what I learned there at all.
Find out what other requirements they might have that you may agree or disagree with; schools such as Liberty University have very strict dress codes, and I doubt that a Methodist school would be as conservative. It's worth looking into though.
If you haven't done so yet, go to the campus and talk to some students in the student union building (or equivalent). Make sure you talk to some students who may not be Christian and see if they have felt pressured in any way. That should give you some level of comfort as to whether the school is right for you.
Good luck,
--Dee
2007-03-28 15:33:55 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a student isn't required to attend chapel and doesn't have to belong to a certain church or adhere to a religion to attend, you're probably not going to be lynched for not being religious. You will probably be a target of students wanting to convert you, but I doubt that you will experience a backlash from the teachers--if there are no religious requirements from the school to be admitted, then teachers won't be assigning homework requiring you to talk about your faith, etc.
All the Methodists I know (save one, but her craziness had nothing to do with being Methodist) are really nice people who are cool with hanging out not only with non-Methodists, but also with non-Christians. I think you'll be fine.
If you're really worried, go down there and visit and pull aside some students and ask them what it's like. They won't mind.
2007-03-28 15:32:45 · answer #3 · answered by Carr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect you're not going to encounter any sort of mistreatment. Methodists usually aren't terribly evangelical. As long as you don't over-react, I'm sure they won't.
I had a similar situation when I went to nursing school. It was a school run by the Catholic church. I am not religious at all. I was free to attend chapel or not attend chapel, and nobody bothered me about it. My class did have a formal "capping" ceremony in the chapel, and I attended that by choice - even though I received a lapel pin rather than a cap...can you imagine a guy wearing a nurses' cap? Whoa, I ain't that weird! And our graduation ceremony was in the chapel, too. I didn't mind attending that; I just didn't partake of the sacrament. Nobody looked down on me for that, either. So lighten up and enjoy your college experience!
2007-03-28 15:34:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give this some thought...You like the school. You like the academics. You like the location. It could possibly be what you don't like about the school that you end up liking the best. I went to a private Christian University for three years before moving a state University...I miss the Christian University so very very much chapels and all. Yeah there were some very overzealouse kids there but fortuanatly I discovered somethign deeper. Have fun man lifes and adventure.
2007-03-28 15:33:35 · answer #5 · answered by spunn_out 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely think twice about attending that school. There are disadvantages to attending a school where you have fundamental differences with most of the other students. If you think hard I am sure you will come up with reasons why it would be a bad idea, such as the networking that you will lose out on because you do not attend the religious functions or the smaller group of people that you could possibly network with because they do not want to accept you for who you are or the other people that will be your "friend" to try to convert you. I would definitely think twice about attending that school.
2007-03-28 15:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by k_e_r_e_d_3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am Muslim, and I went to a school that hid its religious affiliation. It was a private school based on Christians Values, they didn't say that on their information pamphlets! But said they were diverse!
they tried to make me sing in a Christmas Concert, and they gave Assemblies that I didn't connect with. I hated it there, and my only friend was a Wiccan whom also didn't like the school. If you are not willing to conform, you may be uncomfortable. They will try to change you if they see you are not like others. If you really like the school, ask your self will you be happy pretending to be something you're not. If the teachers have mertrocre credentials birographies, stay away(Read them on the CollegeWebsite).
You should visit the school and take the visit very seriously.
what vibe do you get, if you fell uncomfortable, you are just feeling the tip of the iceburg!
It depends on you, do you fit in whereever you go?
2007-03-28 15:55:04 · answer #7 · answered by Muse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was an Assembly of God Bible college I would be concerned, but you said that its a school with great academics, so that rules that out! I would go. I don't think with it being a Methodist school you will have a problem. My experience with most Methodists has been positive.
2007-03-28 15:28:57 · answer #8 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Free education is great, and if the school is good scholastically, there's no reason not to go. Play it by ear for a while. You will probably reach a middle ground with the other students. You might even get religion.
2007-03-28 15:31:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could just tell ppl (only when they ask) that you believe religious view are too personal to share.
That's what my bf does, it works great for him.
(I think he's agnostic).
He rolls he's eyes at religion & he makes fun of me for being on here sharing my Atheist views.
And refuses to discuss religion with anyone, even me.
2007-03-28 15:41:14 · answer #10 · answered by lilith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋