ezs

I'm applying to BC this year, but I have not visited yet. I am Jewish, and I am concerned with the level of Catholicism at the school. I am not religious at all, but I am just worried about being more of an outsider. How is the atmosphere at BC? Will this be a problem for me?

XX55XX

The administration here tries VERY hard to ensure that everyone, regardless of religious background, will be comfortable here and be able to find their niche. There is a Hillel group on campus for Jewish students.

I recall, just a few weeks ago, BC hosted a "Multi-faith Prayer" just outside the main library's steps. I saw some of the participants carrying various flags, including flags of crescents and crosses.

As for "level of Catholicism", BC is not afraid to mention that it's a Jesuit Catholic university at its core, especially in its literature and marketing materials. Crosses and crucifixes are a fixture in almost every single lecture hall and classroom. The President is a member of the Society of Jesus and is also a priest. From time to time, professors will make references to BC's Jesuit values. But, beyond this, BC doesn't try to stuff religious dogma down anyone's throat.

So, if you want a good metric on how "Catholic" BC is, I would say that BC is less Catholic than Notre Dame, but more Catholic than Georgetown.

At the end of the day, one shouldn't be worried about a school being "too religious". Unless it's somewhere like BJU, of course.

You will do just fine here. Join the Hillel and you will be an outsider no more.

iMac15

I was recently talking to my roommates about this and we decided that BC is great for ALL faiths except atheism or agnosticism.

ezs

Well, I'm more agnostic or atheist than Jewish, really. What do you think the problem would be with that? Just discomfort? or is there actual persecution?

and I really know that I certainly won't be joining the Hillel.

And thank you both for your answers!

TheDukeofEarl

ezs: At BC you will be required to take classes as part of your core requirements (typically during freshman and sophomore year) that will ask you to examine and discuss various aspects of faith and man's place in the spiritual universe. If you are a hard-core atheist who would take umbrage with having to discuss points like those in an open classroom, then it may be an issue. For an agnostic, it could, I think, be a pretty interesting ride since it could possibly cause you to reconsider your doubts, or possibly cause you to recruit others to join in your doubts.

Someone told me once that the Jesuits are the hippies of the Catholic Church. They are pretty liberal about the journey one takes to discover what faith means to oneself. But I think they do assume we all possess some level of faith in something. So, if you are open to having such discussions in a non-denominational -- yet clearly ecumenical -- fashion, then it's the place for you.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

bluebayou

our tour guide was self-described as "agnostic" but he liked what BC had to offer about the community. While he admitted he was not religious at all, he believed in community service as did his family. Thus, he was attracted to that aspect of BC. He also said that he enjoyed the historical religion classes bcos he could challenge other points of view.