I'm an atheist and will be interviewing at a Christian school for my doctorate. I chose to apply to this school because of the great reputation and financial assistance available in the program, but I have mixed feelings about attending since it's a Christian school. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are about this? Can anyone share any experiences?
Thoughts on atheist/agnostic attending a Christian school?
- Thread starter gatorfan
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I'm agnostic and am in a Christian school. I don't have any issues with a religious barier what so ever, however, some of the financial assistance might come in the form of graduate assistantships (I was offered one in the chapel, turned it down though to stick with my fellowship) when I was made that offer by my advisor we had a few minute discussion about my opinon of the church burning down if I worked there, and he claimed to get that feeling everytime he spoke to them. Not everyone who goes to a Christian school is Christian. There are also MANY Orthodox Jews in my program. I hope this helps. If questioned about religion which I doubt you would be, I would reply something along the lines of I prefer not to discuss my orientation.
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is this a religiously affiliated school or do they actually espouse christianity and integrate it into what they teach/clinical practice? I go to a religiously affiliated school with a strong religious presence ( and am not religious) and have found it to be a very meaningful diversity expereince.
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I think we did this not too long ago in a similar thread. Bottom line is its a personal decision. I suppose if you're fully-funded you could be comfy knowing that you are not giving them any tuition (ie., directly supporting them financially). However, you are a representative of them (so to speak) during your tenure with them, so its not like you can disassociate with them completely. My wife and I are actively practicing cathlolics, so I may be biased here, but unless you are one of those athiests who seems to absolutely hate religion (as opposed to those who are just passive non-believers), then I dont see what the big deal is really......
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'm so glad I'm not the only one in this situation. Psybee, I don't believe they integrate Christianity into their curriculum, but that would be important for me to find out definitively. Any suggestions on how to find this out without sounding too panicky at the interview?
I apologize if this was covered in another thread. I did a search and couldn't find anything. I'd appreciate a link to that thread if you can find it. It's not that I hate religion - I'm accepting of all beliefs. I just know what I believe and would prefer not to be trained in a curriculum where one belief system predominates.
I might wait until after I garnered an acceptance letter before breaching that subject. You don't want to put undue emphasis on your beliefs. JMHO.
I think they might actually explain more about how the religious affiliation ties into their program during your interview session. Usually, during interviews they will tell you a lot about a program before ever asking you a single question.
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I agree with this part, but also think asking about religion in the curricula is fair game--emphasizing Christianity or spirituality in their program would be a big draw for people who are into that, and there are many. I don't see why they'd hide it (it'd be wierd if they did, and a really ineffective way to sneakily convert nonbelievers!), and if there is a strong religious presence (as in classes taught by clergy, research on religious or spiritual topics, many religious program events, etc) asking more about the integration of spirituality with clinical practice would be totally appropriate. if it's like St. Johns or Fordham or something, it won't be a big deal.
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Just wanted to agree with psybee. It's a fair question to ask - "How does the Christian faith play into/affect doctoral training at your program?" I asked this when I interviewed at a counseling center for practicum at a religious univeristy, and they were ok with me asking it.
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If they invoke footnote 4, they can use the school's religious base to have you removed from the program for not affirming their values. Typically footnote 4 applies to LGBT people, but if you sign a statement saying that you are Christian and later come out as atheist, it would be possible for them to kick you out.
I'm betting that this is more of an issue, at, say Regent as opposed to Rutger's, though.
I'm betting that this is more of an issue, at, say Regent as opposed to Rutger's, though.
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I felt that way when I first visited the school I will be enrolling in and to be honest I thought it smelled like my elementary school which freaked me out more, its a Catholic school, but when I researched it more and got to know the program and went to the interview, I found out it was a really good fit and, at least in my program, they don't tie religion into it at all.
Maybe that program is like mine where religion isn't really a topic
