<p>The fact is, this is not a thread designed to praise Notre Dame. My understanding is that this was a thread for those interested in discussing Notre Dame so that students could make an informed decision about where they should attend school. </p>
<p>Yes, I am an atheist. Yes, I believe the Catholic church takes positions about birth control, abortions, protecting priests at the expense of abused children, that I simply cannot agree with. No, I did not apply to Notre Dame. No, I do not believe that where the golden dome sits changes anything about whether ND’s campus should be objectively and universally exalted as the most divinely beautiful campus on the planet (like people on this forum state as if it is an objective, verifiable fact). No, I do not believe that lax enforcement of dorm rules prohibiting members of the opposite sex and/or drinking alcohol means that the school is treating those persons as adults. </p>
<p>My dislike of Notre Dame is not irrational. I can clearly articulate valid reasons why many students should not go there. I also concede (and have conceded) that it is a selective school that other people would thrive by attending (i.e., those who wish to learn in an environment infused with Catholic notions of morality, etc.). But it is not for everyone, and it is NOT superior to Northwestern like those in this thread have insisted.</p>