I went to a Jesuit college and the Theology professors were not all Catholic (or even Christian) nor were they priests. The Theology classes contained a lot of history, sociology and anthropology. I felt the classes helped with providing students with a broader global perspective.

I think you would be hard pressed to find any Catholic college theology department that was in the business of indoctrination.

Anonymous wrote:There are a couple Catholic colleges we were investigating, but eventually decided against

One was because they require 3 theology courses in gen ed- why?

Another because the online reviews said you would feel like an outsider if you didn’t attend the weekly masses on campus

Um, maybe because it's a Catholic school? Duh.

An understanding of religion is necessary to understanding literature, history, politics, cUrrent events…. Our family is agnostic and my son is minoring in East Asian studies, focus on Eastern religions, because he finds it interesting and because he finds it’s nice to take one class each semester to offset a hardcore STEM schedule.

I have no problem with a religious requirement. An understanding of religion is necessary for a well rounded humanities education.

I would have a problem if my kid was required to take a class where he was indoctrinated in a specific religion. That would make the school a bad fit.

Zero factor

There are a couple Catholic colleges we were investigating, but eventually decided against

One was because they require 3 theology courses in gen ed- why?

Another because the online reviews said you would feel like an outsider if you didn’t attend the weekly masses on campus

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they a factor in your kid’s college choices? My kid is applying to several religiously affiliated schools but axed a few for how their gen ed requirements were set up

Are you talking about Catholic schools?

Mostly but not all of them

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a person in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a plus for my kid, who is interested in Georgetown. Their two religion requirements for undergrad are well-established and are not necessarily taught from a Catholic POV, since it depends on the professors assigned that year. The point is not indoctrination, but debate and questioning, in the Jesuit tradition. If they required religious belief, then my kid would not apply.

It’s not dependent on the professors; none of them are taught from a Catholic POV.

- Georgetown alum

I don't know, just repeating what the tour guide told us.

I would not go more catholic than a Jesuit college. (I had 16 years of catholic schools)

Anonymous wrote:It's a plus for my kid, who is interested in Georgetown. Their two religion requirements for undergrad are well-established and are not necessarily taught from a Catholic POV, since it depends on the professors assigned that year. The point is not indoctrination, but debate and questioning, in the Jesuit tradition. If they required religious belief, then my kid would not apply.

It’s not dependent on the professors; none of them are taught from a Catholic POV.

- Georgetown alum

It's a plus for my kid, who is interested in Georgetown. Their two religion requirements for undergrad are well-established and are not necessarily taught from a Catholic POV, since it depends on the professors assigned that year. The point is not indoctrination, but debate and questioning, in the Jesuit tradition. If they required religious belief, then my kid would not apply.

Anonymous wrote:Are they a factor in your kid’s college choices? My kid is applying to several religiously affiliated schools but axed a few for how their gen ed requirements were set up

Are you talking about Catholic schools?

Anonymous wrote:Are they a factor in your kid’s college choices? My kid is applying to several religiously affiliated schools but axed a few for how their gen ed requirements were set up

Each person has her/his own comfort zone with respect to required classes that have a religious component. (I'd note that a lot of Gen Ed requirements at, for example, Jesuit schools are nothing remotely close to Catholic indoctrination.) Some hate the idea, others don't mind if their kids are exposed to religious thought. Don't be concerned with what others think -- you and your DC do what's right for you. We really don't need another potentially nasty debate on DCUM.

Are they a factor in your kid’s college choices? My kid is applying to several religiously affiliated schools but axed a few for how their gen ed requirements were set up