<p>Way off-base sounds about right! </p>
<p>The question of the school’s religious affiliation is actually a huge issue right now–one that’s involved the alumni, parent, and student community. A few years ago, a campus policeman arrested a woman (who wasn’t a student) in the town of Davidson and charged her with driving under the influence. She was guilty, but appealed on the grounds that as a “religious institution” Davidson can’t have a police force…and the state ruled in her favor. Ever since, there have been major discussions about the significance of Davidson’s continued affiliation with the Presbyterian Church USA…whether the role of the church in the school’s founding should be relevant anymore. Davidson’s student population is mostly Christian, I would imagine, but many don’t attend religious services. Of those that do, they’re not confined to the Presbyterian Church. Davidson and the surrounding area have churches and faith groups for just about every denomination, in addition to interfaith groups. The school has a popular Hillel organization, as well. And plenty of students don’t bother with religion at all. There was a distribution requirement of a religion course (two religions OR one religion and one philosophy)…but I don’t know if this has changed as a result of the reformed course requirements, and in any case, you’re not required to take a religion course about Christianity. Courses are offered on Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc. and on more socially or politically motivated topics like Women in American Religion. I never felt religious pressure on campus from either peers or the school. I attended Episcopal services in the Lingle Chapel attached to DCPC (Davidson College Presbyterian Church) on Sunday afternoons, but didn’t participate beyond that and that wasn’t an issue.</p>