Are Secular Universities Really So Bad?

[meltzerboy]

The term “secular” has become synonymous, in conservative circles especially, with materialistic, greedy, atheist, and anti-religious. It has been applied to many things, including the university. Since I teach at a university (a Catholic one presently, but secular ones in the past), I would be interested in finding out what exactly people think is so wrong with secular universities. More precisely, what do people believe goes on in these institutions–perhaps based on personal experience–to influence students in such a negative way with respect to religion? And how would you suggest we change the situation? I’ve written a little about my own feelings on another thread, and as the title of this thread suggests, I don’t share the view that secular universities are so bad. Still, I’d like to hear the opinions of others who may disagree. I don’t mind hearing from those who agree with me either.

 

[MillTownCath]

The term “secular” has become synonymous, in conservative circles especially, with materialistic, greedy, atheist, and anti-religious. It has been applied to many things, including the university. Since I teach at a university (a Catholic one presently, but secular ones in the past), I would be interested in finding out what exactly people think is so wrong with secular universities. More precisely, what do people believe goes on in these institutions–perhaps based on personal experience–to influence students in such a negative way with respect to religion? And how would you suggest we change the situation? I’ve written a little about my own feelings on another thread, and as the title of this thread suggests, I don’t share the view that secular universities are so bad. Still, I’d like to hear the opinions of others who may disagree. I don’t mind hearing from those who agree with me either.

I go to a public university, but I wouldn’t call it secular. There are many people with many different beliefs and religious backgrounds there, so I learn a lot and my faith has only grown since I started attending.

It also costs much much less.

 

[jwinch2]

I am getting ready to start my third professorial job at a state university. In addition, my bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate were all completed at state universities. The idea that there are gobs of atheist professors on every corner looking to destroy the Christian faith of unsuspecting students is largely a fabrication of the religious right in this country. Now, having said that, there are certainly atheists on college campuses and if you take a theology or philosophy course, you will likely hear their views on the subject. However, in my 10 years of taking college courses and several years of teaching them, I have never heard of a professor volunteering an opinion on religion outside of classes where that was an area of discussion germane to the class.

Most professors, particularly at research universities, are more concerned with getting their research done, publishing their work, writing grants, teaching, advising, mentoring grad students, serving on way too many university committees, serving in professional organizations, reviewing for journals, etc. to be bothered with talking about other things like religion with their students.

I would love to be able to be at a university where my Catholic faith was an integral part of the culture of the institution but I am also fine without it. We are fortunate to have a good campus ministry where I am at now and my wife and I are both involved with that group.

 

[edwest2]

Here is an article that I hope will help.

weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/120xbklj.asp

Peace,
Ed

 

[achmafooma]

I went to a large, public university here in Virginia. I am a political conservative (and have been since long before I was Catholic), at least on most of the key issues, and I guess you could say I fall on the ‘conservative’ side within the Church as well.

At least at my school, most of my professors were solidly left-wing. If I were to ballpark it, they were probably 85% obvious ‘liberals’ (and most of them I would identify as ‘hard-left,’ i.e., practically socialist). Among them, it was probably about 50/50 between those who honestly tried to present all sides when contentious issues came up, and those who presented their side and nothing else (and were disrespectfully dismissive when an opposing view was brought up by a student, like me ). The only ‘conservative’ professors at my school were in the economics department (which was pretty much libertarian / laissez faire), and then our Public Administration department was pretty centrist.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think it’s automatically morally wrong to be a left-winger. There is a lot of room within the Catholic faith for differing political views on most issues. I’m fine with dissent and discussion and debate. I respect any political view that is well-reasoned and honestly considered, and all I ask from the ‘left’ is that they treat my ‘right’ views with the same level of respect.

I do, however, think it was problematic that the professors were so far skewed to one side. And I think it was a huge problem that so many of them couldn’t present ideas and concepts they disagreed with in a dispassionate, professional manner. As the ‘token conservative’ in many of my classes, I often just got tired of even trying to get the ‘right wing’ perspective across because so many of the professors just didn’t want to hear it. Those professors’ dismissive attitude toward dissent was, in my opinion, absolutely unacceptable. I have nothing against those ‘left wingers’ who were willing to present opposing views and allow real discussion but, again, that was only about half of 'em.

Now, the modern ‘hard left’ is very secular…so Christian morality was a topic that pretty much just never came up in school and, when it did come up, it was typically in a dismissive way…like Christian faith and morality was an outmoded, unreasonable superstition that we had outgrown, and only crazy, uneducated morons still believed in it. I often felt that undercurrent, even if it did only-rarely surface in such an explicit way. Christianity was also generally treated like a topic of ‘history,’ not as something that has any relevance for our present and future. The modern ‘hard left’ is also big on homosexual ‘marriage,’ abortion ‘rights,’ and so on…no room for Christian morality on those issues.

These undercurrents aren’t often an explicit affront to our faith…but it does influence people. It’s a sort of constant chipping-away at people’s faith; making it seem trite and outdated and unworthy of the serious attention of an intelligent student. The only reason I kept going to church (Methodist, at the time) while I was in college is because I am very hard-headed, and took most of what my professors taught me with a grain of salt. Most of my peers who were religious before college fell away quickly. Most of them have not returned.

So all-in-all, based on my own personal experience, I did find my secular university to be hostile to Christian faith…but in a sort of passive-aggressive kind of way. Nobody ever said, ‘hey, you’re an idiot for being a conservative and a Christian,’ but I definitely felt like my opinions were viewed by many of my peers and professors to be incompatible with modern academia. I’m hard-headed enough that I didn’t care if they thought that, because I didn’t need or want their affirmation. A lot of people are less hard-headed than I am.

Great question. God bless you!

 

[meltzerboy]

Here is an article that I hope will help.

weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/120xbklj.asp

Peace,
Ed

Thank you for the article, which I just finished reading. Of course “The Weekly Standard” presents the neo-conservative perspective on political, social, and economic issues. With this in mind, I think the writing in the article, more than the university itself, takes a sharp turn downward and becomes highly exaggerated and biased when it transitions from the description of the “liberal university”–which suddenly becomes the “good guy”–to that of the “left university,” which is depicted as the devil incarnate. Another point: since when did the faculty gain so much power during the second college revolution? A couple of outspoken radical professors at best; otherwise, it was the students who gained power in the late 1960s, not the wimpy faculty. I agree the open admissions policy at some colleges after 1972 was a disaster, but that didn’t last very long. Also, the watering down of the curriculum was fought tooth and nail by many faculty but passed anyway by administrators. That too changed back, for a while now. Despite the examples cited of a third academic revolution, we’re not exactly going back to the old liberalism, let alone the Jeffersonian ideal of a “republic of letters,” which basically was an elitist concept. Today, higher education is divided into the vocational and technical schools, large public universities, small private liberal arts institutions, and the Ivy League universities. Each type has its own theories and goals of education. The only systems still in keeping with Jefferson’s principles to some extent are the elite Ivy League schools and some of the smaller exclusive private schools. The others are based on egalitarian principles of democracy in educating hoards of immigrants the world over, which was not the case in the early years. Finally, many students of today have different conceptions of what college is all about than they had in the past. True, first-generation immigrants still think of college as a means of upward social mobility and achieving the American dream. But most second- and third-generation students view it as a ticket to specific job placement and perhaps big bucks, with little concern or incentive for the process of being educated and learning how to think and write critically. The cultivation of courses in the History of Western Civilization and Great Works of Literature holds little interest for them, unless they happen to take a class with a highly motivating instructor. The push today is instead in the hard sciences, technology, and business; not moral theology or Ancient Greek philosophy. Sure, there are always some specialists in the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences; but students and universities are not isolated from the rest of society and culture, and it’s a new world out there. Many of us long to return to the “good old days” before the turbulence of the late 60s; conservatives in particular, but liberals too. However, we’re not going back; we’re never going back; we can’t go back even if we want to. The genie has been released from the bottle and the bottle has been broken.

Still, an interesting read. Thanks again!

 

[meltzerboy]

I am getting ready to start my third professorial job at a state university. In addition, my bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate were all completed at state universities. The idea that there are gobs of atheist professors on every corner looking to destroy the Christian faith of unsuspecting students is largely a fabrication of the religious right in this country. Now, having said that, there are certainly atheists on college campuses and if you take a theology or philosophy course, you will likely hear their views on the subject. However, in my 10 years of taking college courses and several years of teaching them, I have never heard of a professor volunteering an opinion on religion outside of classes where that was an area of discussion germane to the class.

Most professors, particularly at research universities, are more concerned with getting their research done, publishing their work, writing grants, teaching, advising, mentoring grad students, serving on way too many university committees, serving in professional organizations, reviewing for journals, etc. to be bothered with talking about other things like religion with their students.

I would love to be able to be at a university where my Catholic faith was an integral part of the culture of the institution but I am also fine without it. We are fortunate to have a good campus ministry where I am at now and my wife and I are both involved with that group.

Thanks so much for your informed comments, and from my own experience as a professor, I agree with them.

Best wishes on the new job!

 

[meltzerboy]

I went to a large, public university here in Virginia. I am a political conservative (and have been since long before I was Catholic), at least on most of the key issues, and I guess you could say I fall on the ‘conservative’ side within the Church as well.

At least at my school, most of my professors were solidly left-wing. If I were to ballpark it, they were probably 85% obvious ‘liberals’ (and most of them I would identify as ‘hard-left,’ i.e., practically socialist). Among them, it was probably about 50/50 between those who honestly tried to present all sides when contentious issues came up, and those who presented their side and nothing else (and were disrespectfully dismissive when an opposing view was brought up by a student, like me ). The only ‘conservative’ professors at my school were in the economics department (which was pretty much libertarian / laissez faire), and then our Public Administration department was pretty centrist.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think it’s automatically morally wrong to be a left-winger. There is a lot of room within the Catholic faith for differing political views on most issues. I’m fine with dissent and discussion and debate. I respect any political view that is well-reasoned and honestly considered, and all I ask from the ‘left’ is that they treat my ‘right’ views with the same level of respect.

I do, however, think it was problematic that the professors were so far skewed to one side. And I think it was a huge problem that so many of them couldn’t present ideas and concepts they disagreed with in a dispassionate, professional manner. As the ‘token conservative’ in many of my classes, I often just got tired of even trying to get the ‘right wing’ perspective across because so many of the professors just didn’t want to hear it. Those professors’ dismissive attitude toward dissent was, in my opinion, absolutely unacceptable. I have nothing against those ‘left wingers’ who were willing to present opposing views and allow real discussion but, again, that was only about half of 'em.

Now, the modern ‘hard left’ is very secular…so Christian morality was a topic that pretty much just never came up in school and, when it did come up, it was typically in a dismissive way…like Christian faith and morality was an outmoded, unreasonable superstition that we had outgrown, and only crazy, uneducated morons still believed in it. I often felt that undercurrent, even if it did only-rarely surface in such an explicit way. Christianity was also generally treated like a topic of ‘history,’ not as something that has any relevance for our present and future. The modern ‘hard left’ is also big on homosexual ‘marriage,’ abortion ‘rights,’ and so on…no room for Christian morality on those issues.

These undercurrents aren’t often an explicit affront to our faith…but it does influence people. It’s a sort of constant chipping-away at people’s faith; making it seem trite and outdated and unworthy of the serious attention of an intelligent student. The only reason I kept going to church (Methodist, at the time) while I was in college is because I am very hard-headed, and took most of what my professors taught me with a grain of salt. Most of my peers who were religious before college fell away quickly. Most of them have not returned.

So all-in-all, based on my own personal experience, I did find my secular university to be hostile to Christian faith…but in a sort of passive-aggressive kind of way. Nobody ever said, ‘hey, you’re an idiot for being a conservative and a Christian,’ but I definitely felt like my opinions were viewed by many of my peers and professors to be incompatible with modern academia. I’m hard-headed enough that I didn’t care if they thought that, because I didn’t need or want their affirmation. A lot of people are less hard-headed than I am.

Great question. God bless you!

I’m sorry for your experience, but thank you for sharing it. I’m a liberal professor, but try to be careful not to interject my own politics into discussions, as well as making an effort to be fair-minded toward students who have differing views. Sometimes, though, neutrality can be difficult depending on the topic. I appreciate your comments.

 

[meltzerboy]

I go to a public university, but I wouldn’t call it secular. There are many people with many different beliefs and religious backgrounds there, so I learn a lot and my faith has only grown since I started attending.

It also costs much much less.

I agree that the much-maligned presence of diversity and multiculturalism on the college campus can be beneficial to one’s faith. Thanks for your comments!

 

[Windfish]

Being secular trends with being left-leaning these days, and left-leaning institutions are just intolerant, meltzerboy. I am not politically affiliated in anyway - I detest politics. But it is my observation that those with leftist views tend to be very intolerant of other views so that the presupposition from the start is that leftist views are “progress” and “progressive” while the alternative, if not progressive, must be “regressive.” This is a rather bigoted view. No doubt an education is still possible at these institutions, but I would argue that a student not already aware of the agenda pushed will buy it without thinking about it.

 

[acarlson]

The term “secular” has become synonymous, in conservative circles especially, with materialistic, greedy, atheist, and anti-religious. It has been applied to many things, including the university. Since I teach at a university (a Catholic one presently, but secular ones in the past), I would be interested in finding out what exactly people think is so wrong with secular universities. More precisely, what do people believe goes on in these institutions–perhaps based on personal experience–to influence students in such a negative way with respect to religion? And how would you suggest we change the situation? I’ve written a little about my own feelings on another thread, and as the title of this thread suggests, I don’t share the view that secular universities are so bad. Still, I’d like to hear the opinions of others who may disagree. I don’t mind hearing from those who agree with me either.

I currently go to a private university that’s technically affiliated with the United Methodist Church although its true nature is anything but; as close as it gets to religion is its Protestant school of theology. It may have been a more religiously-oriented school at one point - our motto is “for religion and science,” after all - but now it’s entirely secular. Thankfully, our campus had a strong, active, and “orthodox” Catholic community (VERY traditional, but still uses more “modern” ways to get us involved like praise and worship services).

I know that going to a private school means that I’ll certainly have a different experience than those going to a state school. But all I can say is that without our Catholic campus ministry, even the most faithful Catholic could be led astray at this school. There’s a large, widely-supported and highly-funded LGBT group on campus that has several events all throughout the year. One time, they had written pro-gay “marriage” messages on the sidewalk outside of the most popular academic building. Our group had a talk called “Why Marriage Has Never Been Gay” and most of the attendees were from that group. Thanks be to God, it was the only civil and respectful talk I’ve seen on the topic (there were even two of the fallen-away Catholics who attended that talk at the cathedral’s Easter Vigil a few weeks later!) There’s a variety of religious groups on campus, but if you’re not looking for them, the only one you’ll see is active is our ministry and the Muslim Student Alliance. The Jewish student group on campus is VERY active and even have quite a nice house on the far side of campus. They’re probably just as active if not more than ours.

Our school tries to promote what it calls “inclusive excellence,” which I do see in practice with my group of friends, but you should’ve SEEN the reviews of that talk in our student newspaper. Absolutely scathing for our “intolerance.” I must admit that de regalo, our rights of expression are the same and if we wanted to, we could easily take administrative action if we were insulted. I admit I even had one professor who admitted openly that he was a convert to Catholicism from Southern Baptist! De facto, however, we’re not allowed to speak on true Catholic doctrine in public without being chastised and called backwards, ignorant, hateful, etc.

Speaking from a VERY personal experience, the professors I’ve had are generally anti-Christian, atheist, and EXTREMELY anti-Catholic. If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard a negative comment about the Pope come from the mouths of one of my professors I could actually afford this school (ha!); even a class about Ecology has led to disgusting attacks against the Holy Father and “natalist” Catholics. Please, tell me why that was necessary and/or appropriate! Thankfully, I’ve never received any direct discrimination from faculty when I’ve expressed my views. I do feel comfortable enough to write about my beliefs openly in any assignment without fear of receiving a poor grade because of it; one of my major papers even compared Catholic and secular human rights. I can’t say that all the professors at my school are this way; obviously there are some fantastic exceptions. It just seems like I draw them towards me sometimes (though I’m sure it’s God leading me to them!)

Essentially, what makes secular universities “bad” varies both in type and severity. I’d say the BIGGEST factor is whether the school is public or private. At least at a public level there’s a bit more regulation to make sure all sides are equally represented while keeping inappropriate, irrelevant comments on religion out of the classroom. At the same time, students AND faculty acting in a representative/authoritative role, such as a TA, professor, or a president of a student organization, are free to wear religiously-themed apparel, which is not allowed at state schools. However, if a secular school - private or not - has a fantastic Catholic ministry, it can be just as great at providing sound Catholic teaching as a Catholic university, albeit on a much smaller level. Ours is one of those, and I’m eternally thankful for it as it has helped me grow SO much in my faith. If anything, being in an environment so opposed to Catholicism and truth has pushed me to be even more faithful by fighting a nearly constant battle to preserve it.

Forgive me if this makes no sense at all! I tend to ramble

 

[Windfish]

btw, there is no way to reach out to secularism, it’s pretty much opposed to religion as you can get. So even if we wanted to build bridges, they would probably blow them up.

 

[meltzerboy]

I currently go to a private university that’s technically affiliated with the United Methodist Church although its true nature is anything but; as close as it gets to religion is its Protestant school of theology. It may have been a more religiously-oriented school at one point - our motto is “for religion and science,” after all - but now it’s entirely secular. Thankfully, our campus had a strong, active, and “orthodox” Catholic community (VERY traditional, but still uses more “modern” ways to get us involved like praise and worship services).

I know that going to a private school means that I’ll certainly have a different experience than those going to a state school. But all I can say is that without our Catholic campus ministry, even the most faithful Catholic could be led astray at this school. There’s a large, widely-supported and highly-funded LGBT group on campus that has several events all throughout the year. One time, they had written pro-gay “marriage” messages on the sidewalk outside of the most popular academic building. Our group had a talk called “Why Marriage Has Never Been Gay” and most of the attendees were from that group. Thanks be to God, it was the only civil and respectful talk I’ve seen on the topic (there were even two of the fallen-away Catholics who attended that talk at the cathedral’s Easter Vigil a few weeks later!) There’s a variety of religious groups on campus, but if you’re not looking for them, the only one you’ll see is active is our ministry and the Muslim Student Alliance. The Jewish student group on campus is VERY active and even have quite a nice house on the far side of campus. They’re probably just as active if not more than ours.

Our school tries to promote what it calls “inclusive excellence,” which I do see in practice with my group of friends, but you should’ve SEEN the reviews of that talk in our student newspaper. Absolutely scathing for our “intolerance.” I must admit that de regalo, our rights of expression are the same and if we wanted to, we could easily take administrative action if we were insulted. I admit I even had one professor who admitted openly that he was a convert to Catholicism from Southern Baptist! De facto, however, we’re not allowed to speak on true Catholic doctrine in public without being chastised and called backwards, ignorant, hateful, etc.

Speaking from a VERY personal experience, the professors I’ve had are generally anti-Christian, atheist, and EXTREMELY anti-Catholic. If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard a negative comment about the Pope come from the mouths of one of my professors I could actually afford this school (ha!); even a class about Ecology has led to disgusting attacks against the Holy Father and “natalist” Catholics. Please, tell me why that was necessary and/or appropriate! Thankfully, I’ve never received any direct discrimination from faculty when I’ve expressed my views. I do feel comfortable enough to write about my beliefs openly in any assignment without fear of receiving a poor grade because of it; one of my major papers even compared Catholic and secular human rights. I can’t say that all the professors at my school are this way; obviously there are some fantastic exceptions. It just seems like I draw them towards me sometimes (though I’m sure it’s God leading me to them!)

Essentially, what makes secular universities “bad” varies both in type and severity. I’d say the BIGGEST factor is whether the school is public or private. At least at a public level there’s a bit more regulation to make sure all sides are equally represented while keeping inappropriate, irrelevant comments on religion out of the classroom. At the same time, students AND faculty acting in a representative/authoritative role, such as a TA, professor, or a president of a student organization, are free to wear religiously-themed apparel, which is not allowed at state schools. However, if a secular school - private or not - has a fantastic Catholic ministry, it can be just as great at providing sound Catholic teaching as a Catholic university, albeit on a much smaller level. Ours is one of those, and I’m eternally thankful for it as it has helped me grow SO much in my faith. If anything, being in an environment so opposed to Catholicism and truth has pushed me to be even more faithful by fighting a nearly constant battle to preserve it.

Forgive me if this makes no sense at all! I tend to ramble

I’m sorry to hear about the bad experiences you’ve had with some of your professors. There is no excuse for their ridiculing any faith in or out of class; they should definitely be fired. I’m somewhat surprised, though, since the Methodists I know or know of are generally quite tolerant of all religions, as well as being liberal. I think there are different types of Methodism; but anyway, many of those professors who are anti-Christian are not Methodists but atheists, as you state. Remember, however, that not all atheists are anti-theists. I’m glad your school has a really good Catholic ministry at least. I also agree with you that often adversity can build your faith.

Thanks for sharing and best wishes!

 

[meltzerboy]

Being secular trends with being left-leaning these days, and left-leaning institutions are just intolerant, meltzerboy. I am not politically affiliated in anyway - I detest politics. But it is my observation that those with leftist views tend to be very intolerant of other views so that the presupposition from the start is that leftist views are “progress” and “progressive” while the alternative, if not progressive, must be “regressive.” This is a rather bigoted view. No doubt an education is still possible at these institutions, but I would argue that a student not already aware of the agenda pushed will buy it without thinking about it.

Thanks for relating your views, and I promise I’ll try not to be intolerant! You make a good point regarding the use of the word “progressive.” Also, I think it has been used as a substitute for “liberal,” which has taken on such negative connotations. However, “progressive” is also taking on those connotations. I believe extremist views on both sides of the political spectrum can often be intolerant. Of course, what is thought of as “extremist” depends on the person who is doing the labeling. I appreciate your comments.

 

[MillTownCath]

btw, there is no way to reach out to secularism, it’s pretty much opposed to religion as you can get. So even if we wanted to build bridges, they would probably blow them up.

Evangelism! It’s hard, but possible.

 

[jwinch2]

Thanks so much for your informed comments, and from my own experience as a professor, I agree with them.

Best wishes on the new job!

No problem and thanks. I thought that article was pretty skewed and was written by someone with an obvious agenda. I am VERY conservative on most issues and major problems with that article were readily apparent to me.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Here is an article that I hope will help.

weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/120xbklj.asp

Peace,
Ed

HA, my daughter got all that at her “Catholic” high school. $10,000/year to promote “diversity and empower women.” I mean, how much more diverse can you get than “CATHOLIC, GIRLS, HIGHSCHOOL” in an upscale neighborhood.

EXH paid for it, so I couldn’t stop it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

HA, my daughter got all that at her “Catholic” high school. $10,000/year to promote “diversity and empower women.” I mean, how much more diverse can you get than “CATHOLIC, GIRLS, HIGHSCHOOL” in an upscale neighborhood.

EXH paid for it, so I couldn’t stop it.

I think I mentioned this to you before in an older thread, but I’ll never forget it. In a discussion about Catholic universities, I mentioned to you one in your city. My son spent about a year and a half there, but then transferred to a state U “So I won’t have to listen to anti-Catholicism in class anymore” in that supposedly Catholic university. And he didn’t either, after he transferred to Mo State.

Remainder of story. He graduated from Mo State, then went to Ave Maria for graduate school. Interestingly, his first employer, who is a very devoted member of the Assemblies of God, hired him because the employer felt he was likely to be an honest fellow and an earnest worker if he chose a school like A.M. And he was right about that.

So, secular universities can have some advantages over nominally Catholic schools that are anything but, but it isn’t necessarily true of all Catholic universities.

 

[acarlson]

I’m sorry to hear about the bad experiences you’ve had with some of your professors. There is no excuse for their ridiculing any faith in or out of class; they should definitely be fired. I’m somewhat surprised, though, since the Methodists I know or know of are generally quite tolerant of all religions, as well as being liberal. I think there are different types of Methodism; but anyway, many of those professors who are anti-Christian are not Methodists but atheists, as you state. Remember, however, that not all atheists are anti-theists. I’m glad your school has a really good Catholic ministry at least. I also agree with you that often adversity can build your faith.

Thanks for sharing and best wishes!

Very true You’re welcome!!

 

[St_Francis]

There is a difference between a truly Catholic education and a non-Catholic education.

The main problem I see with secular education is that their vision of reality is opposite and often opposed to actual reality. Now, you may look at that statement and say, well, who are you or even the Catholic Church to say what “actual reality” is? And what difference does it make; why can’t we each have our own view of reality since there are so many?

And there we come to the crux of the problem, that universities, which are supposed to be places where truth is studied, are places where even the nature and importance of truth are denigrated.

It is a shame that the Founding Fathers could not have known that there would come a time in this nation (the US) when an atheistic system of thought would replace religion and because there is no apparent deity involved, the government would accept it and only it.

So we have schools in which only certain parts of human nature are seen, and therefore there is no true teaching when it comes to humanity, only a bundle of seriously skewed theories. We have a system in which Catholic thinking is kept out, not because it has been proven wrong but because its source is considered religious, which is verbotten.

That being said, I do not consider secular schools to be “that bad,” as you put it. First, as Bishop Sheen pointed out, better to send your child to a secular university and know what he is getting into than to send him to a [nominally] Catholic on and not be defended against what you will be getting.

Secondly, secular schools are excellent at providing technical educations, and there is room in them, because they are so large, for diversity.