Atheist Club at Catholic College?

[CatholicHockey7]

Where in Pope Benedict XVI’s writings did he say that the “free exchange of ideas” must be a priority in Catholic education?

I’m not saying he did. I’m giving my own opinion, which I am entitled to have. And this opinion is limited to ONLY universities. K-12 is a completely different story.

To the best of my knowledge, neither the Magisterium nor any pope has released an infallible statement on the matter, so I am free to disagree with them. If I am wrong, someone please point me to one. As this is not a matter of “faith and morals,” but rather one of “what’s the best way to evangelize?” I do not believe you can produce one.

 

[phil19034]

I think I see where our disagreement lies. I believe the free exchange of ideas is part of that education. I’m not even talking about research. I’m talking about a true, liberal arts education. Somewhere along the way, liberal arts became a catch-all for majors that didn’t fit into STEM or Education categories (and even a few that did) and for “general studies” programs that expose students to a variety of subjects (math, science, english, foreign language) which may not be directly related to their degree. While I certain see value in this modern form, it often comes at the expense of studying Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Augustine and Aquinas. In other words, we’ve focused on teaching facts rather than teaching people how to think for themselves. This is where I believe universities of all types, secular and religious, are failing in the mission of a University.

So while I certainly think Catholic universities need to make a greater effort to promote the Church’s teachings, I also think they need to do it in a way that enables meaningful, respectful, thoughtful debate. The side benefit of this, of course, should actually be an increased understanding of Catholicism. In fact, people may discover there is, (insert Australian accent here) “real genius in Catholicism.” (end Matthew Kelley Australian accent).

What you describe here I agree with. I like really like Matthew Kelly.

However, it must be within the bounds of the teaching of the Magisterium. Promoting ideas that are at odds with the Catholic Faith undermines the mission of the Catholic college.

Having an an atheist club on a Catholic campus would be akin to a Chemistry Department endorsing or condoning an alchemy club.

 

[Elizium23]

Having an an atheist club on a Catholic campus would be akin to a Chemistry Department endorsing or condoning an alchemy club.

Or like an Architecture School sponsoring a Demolition Club.

 

[JapaneseKappa]

Having an an atheist club on a Catholic campus would be akin to a Chemistry Department endorsing or condoning an alchemy club.

I doubt that a Chemistry department would even care. Biology departments are also not in the habit of banning creationism clubs. Those disciplines have won the battle of ideas so convincingly that the departments don’t feel threatened by the existence of alchemy or creationism. They aren’t motivated to give those people the time of day, let alone ban them.

I would view a Catholic ban on Atheism clubs as a sign of profound insecurity.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Yes lets fire a woman who has a child out of wedlock because that’s the Cristian thing to do!
Right onto the streets with your child! That’s what God would want!

Thanks SuperLuigi as the bastard child of a teacher I really appreciate people like you! Because when ever I have doubts about my faith I come on this website and they just vanish!

(Note to any mods please have a sense of humor.)

Sent PM

 

[SuperLuigi]

Heaven forbid Catholic universities be perceived as tolerant of other religious beliefs.

Like the secular courts are of our beliefs? Where’s the outrage over that?

Or are we just supposed to accommodate while everyone else runs us over?

 

[SuperLuigi]

=JapaneseKappa;13211896]I doubt that a Chemistry department would even care. Biology departments are also not in the habit of banning creationism clubs. Those disciplines have won the battle of ideas so convincingly that the departments don’t feel threatened by the existence of alchemy or creationism. They aren’t motivated to give those people the time of day, let alone ban them.

It’s always funny when progressives try trump how they’ve won all the day on issues like creation, so-called gay “marriage” or their exaggeration of man-made climate change.

I would view a Catholic ban on Atheism clubs as a sign of profound insecurity.

Try not a good investment in Catholic resources. There is a difference.

 

[JapaneseKappa]

Try not a good investment in Catholic resources. There is a difference.

What resources, specifically? A meeting room once or twice a week, after hours? Ability to host a debate or public speaker? I think those are very small prices to pay to avoid the repercussions of banning an atheist club. Before you say that the college would have to give money to the atheists, I don’t know of any college that gives its student organizations a carte blanche to spend the college’s money.

 

[phil19034]

What resources, specifically? A meeting room once or twice a week, after hours? Ability to host a debate or public speaker? I think those are very small prices to pay to avoid the repercussions of banning an atheist club. Before you say that the college would have to give money to the atheists, I don’t know of any college that gives its student organizations a carte blanche to spend the college’s money.

Frankly, the only thing an atheist should be doing at a Catholic college is learning about his/her major and becoming Catholic.

Atheists have plenty of non-religious options out there. They don’t need to to attend a Catholic School and attempt to undermine the faith with an organized club committed to a concept 100% against God. Let alone, pay for it.

If there was a student group lobbying for South Carolina to be kicked out of the United States, wouldn’t a South Carolinian state college have the right to ban that group or at least not recognize it?!?! So why can’t a Catholic college keep out clubs that undermine its mission and the Faith it’s called to spread?

 

[JapaneseKappa]

Frankly, the only thing an atheist should be doing at a Catholic college is learning about his/her major and becoming Catholic.

Atheists have plenty of non-religious options out there. They don’t need to to attend a Catholic School and attempt to undermine the faith with an organized club committed to a concept 100% against God. Let alone, pay for it.

If there was a student group lobbying for South Carolina to be kicked out of the United States, wouldn’t a South Carolinian state college have the right to ban that group or at least not recognize it?!?! So why can’t a Catholic college keep out clubs that undermine its mission and the Faith it’s called to spread?

That’s an interesting world you live in, where no one ever leaves Catholicism at a Catholic university. I guess you would recommend that anyone who falls away from Catholicism while at a Catholic university should just abandon their investment in their degree or try to transfer someplace else (I’ve found small religious colleges often have accreditation… issues.)

 

[phil19034]

That’s an interesting world you live in, where no one ever leaves Catholicism at a Catholic university. I guess you would recommend that anyone who falls away from Catholicism while at a Catholic university should just abandon their investment in their degree or try to transfer someplace else (I’ve found small religious colleges often have accreditation… issues.)

The fact that kids call away from the Faith at a Catholic University is a HUGE symptom of the problem here. Catholic colleges are supposed to reinforce the Faith. However, too many of them are failing badly.

Mainly because they allow professors and staff who disagree with the faith. This causes confusion and scandal.

Example: how can you expect all Catholics to accept the infallible teachings that birth control and abortion are immoral when you have some Catholic colleges promoting internships at Planned Parenthood and even hiring Planned Parenthood board members and having an adjunct law professor (Georgetown) who’s full time just is general counsel for Planned Parenthood in DC?!?!

The fact that the faith of Catholic college students better off at a public college with a good Catholic Campus Ministry then some of these dissent Catholic schools is horrific.

 

[CatholicHockey7]

The fact that kids call away from the Faith at a Catholic University is a HUGE symptom of the problem here. Catholic colleges are supposed to reinforce the Faith. However, too many of them are failing badly.

Mainly because they allow professors and staff who disagree with the faith. This causes confusion and scandal.

Example: how can you expect all Catholics to accept the infallible teachings that birth control and abortion are immoral when you have some Catholic colleges promoting internships at Planned Parenthood and even hiring Planned Parenthood board members and having an adjunct law professor (Georgetown) who’s full time just is general counsel for Planned Parenthood in DC?!?!

The fact that the faith of Catholic college students better off at a public college with a good Catholic Campus Ministry then some of these dissent Catholic schools is horrific.

Personally, I don’t think this is completely accurate. I think Catholic Colleges suffer from the same problems as many parishes I’ve been too. Their campus ministry programs don’t do a good job of inviting people in and making them feel like they belong. When you don’t feel welcome at your home parish (and honestly, I rarely feel like a part of any parish community because they never seem to want me there. I’m only asked to be EMHC if the youth ministry students aren’t there to do it. No one has ever asked - and I have offered - for me to get more involved) and you don’t feel like the community at school really cares if you’re there or not, why would you stay? Mass just becomes something you do, rather than a priority. Your entire faith starts to unravel.

Compare that with most Newman Centers who are actively engaged in the campus community trying to encourage people to join them for Mass on Sundays. When they do show up, they make efforts to develop friendships so the people feel welcome and wanted. As a result, these people keep coming back every week. Also, on a public school campus, those who don’t care are already walking away. While those that do will seek out the Catholic community.

Then you add in teachers who don’t represent the faith, and you have a recipe for disaster.

In other words, there are many more problems than just faculty.

 

[Elizium23]

Hearts & Minds episode #16 from August 18 treats this exact story!

I just started listening to the podcast now. Should be very interesting.

 

[esieffe]

This is why some Catholic colleges do not allow college funds to be applied to anything not Catholic. No college democrats, no college republicans, no official religion clubs for non-Catholics.

I’ve seen that when it comes to non-Catholic students attending, I’ve seen some schools limit themselves to the following: listing the names of near by non-Catholic houses of worship on a campus ministry page, and that’s it.

The number 1 goal of a catholic university should be teaching the Catholic faith, goal #2 providing a safe Catholic Culture on campus and goal #3 providing a college education.

But the problem with many schools is that they have allowed goal #3 take precedence over 1 & 2

Amen brother! If someone wants a liberal arts education, let them go to UCLA Berkly.

 

[CatholicHockey7]

Amen brother! If someone wants a liberal arts education, let them go to UCLA Berkly.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Also, side note, there is no such school as UCLA Berkeley. There’s UCLA, and there’s UC Berkeley (aka, Cal), but no UCLA Berkeley.