Hello, I am a 17-year old student recently graduated from a Mennonite High School, soon to be a freshman attending a Mennonite University as a double music/biology (pre-med) major. Throughout the college application process, I went through a period of extreme doubt and questioning my faith. Now, as it happens, I am a very contented and secure Atheist. I chose this college because 1) at the time of college decision, I was still on the fence between religion/atheism and 2) I have a full-ride scholarship to this college. My question is not about the nature of my belief, but how I should approach my professors and fellow students next year.
I am concerned that:
1) My classmates will judge me, reject me socially.
2) If I decide to be open about my beliefs with my professors, they might react badly (I have already had negative experiences with my high school teachers, and their poor opinion of me possibly being reflected in my grades, but was too afraid to confront the issue).
3) Since I am a confident atheist, my school might view me as a threat to their spiritual life (I do not intend to intentionally convert my Mennonite classmates).
Do you have any advice for me next year?
What do you know of atheist students at strong Christian schools?
Additional information:
I am definitely considering a transfer.
My parents do not know that I am an atheist, merely that I have doubts. They would not take it well if I were to tell them, and most likely would withdraw all current efforts to help me in my education (I am currently determined to become a physician, a long road indeed for medical school costs).
Some friends, attending my college next year as well, know about my belief, which should help.
Posted: July 22nd 2010
Eric_PK
I think it depends a ton on the kind of school that it is.
I attended at Lutheran university at the time I was become an atheist and found that the religiousity really didn’t impact me at all. I did have to take one religion class, but it was a survey and was actually rather interesting. Few students went to church on Sunday because they had to get up early to do so.
I would look at the information about the school. Is attendance at services required? What religious classes are required to graduate? What sorts of clubs and other activities do they offer?
Given that financial side of things, if you think it is a good school otherwise, I’d recommend giving it a try for a year.
Posted: July 27th 2010
logicel
If this school can give you a good pre-medical education, and if they are accredited, and that may be the case, as the Loma Linda medical school is funded by creationists but they are accredited and they do teach the right curriculum, then you need to learn how to deal with being an atheist in an religious environment.
Your ideas how to do this are sound (you demonstrate a superb understanding of psychological dynamics), and I encourage you to have confidence in your ability to cope with this challenge. If you are diplomatic concerning your atheism, that is fine. What is more important, is for us all to have another science-based practitioner of medicine in our midst than to be vocal about atheism.
Be as polite, friendly, and considerate as you can. Those characteristics are hard not to like. If the best way proves to be your gently insisting that religion is a private matter, than use that way to focus on preparing for your medical career, which is what you are there for.Posted: July 27th 2010
SmartLX www
Mennonite doctrine is creationist. If you’re learning to be a physician, you’re going to find out whether they can leave religion out of the classroom long enough to teach the evolutionary grounding of anatomy, physiology and medicine. If they can, you should be able to keep discussions of religion out of the classroom and out of your teachers’ faces. If they can’t, it may not be a good place to study at all if only because certain things would be missing from your education.
Socially speaking, I’d be very surprised if you’re the only atheist on campus. Go there ahead of time, find the others and see how they get along with people.
Posted: July 27th 2010