Can A Catholic Attend a Protestant College?

[Ben_Sinner]

Hi all,

I was wondering what the rules were regarding a Catholic attending a Protestant (Baptist) college.

Does the same rules apply here that would apply to a secular school?

I want to attend Baylor University but the thing holding me back from applying is its a Baptist school.

I contacted their grad school coordinator and they said they PROMISED I would not have to take any of their theology classes nor would I have to attend their worship services.

They also have a Catholic Students organization and ministry.

And my spiritual director / regular confessor said it was fine for me to attend as long as I used common sense that would keep me from losing my faith.

I’m not concerned about losing my faith. In fact I think a Christian school would be a relief after spending 4 years in the Marxist, po-mo, liberal liberal ideology-filled secular school I’ve been going to.

My concern is I would basically be giving money to a heretical Christian organization that preaches a heretical Christian message (no offense to any Protestants on here). And I don’t want to commit to the school and later find out in the middle that I am not morally allowed to be there.

So I was wondering if there were any official rules…anybody on here who is currently attending Baylor?, anybody attended in the past? etc.

 

[Sam43232]

Not being a Catholic (yet) I can’t comment on “the rules” but if you genuinely have moral scruples because you think Baptists are heretics preaching heresy then a Baptist school might not be the best option for you.

I’m just curious though… if you have no scruples giving your money to a “Marxist, po-mo, liberal liberal ideology-filled secular school” why would a Baptist school give you pause for thought? Certainly Baptists teach the bare “core” of the Christian faith and the CCC says you can recognize such people as Christians in sure but imperfect communion with the church - unlike the description of your current school.

One more thing, if you do go. Baptists are lovely people, but a large minority/bare majority believe all Catholics worship Mary, would jump off a cliff if the Pope commanded it and are destined for hell. I don’t know Baylor, but you’ll want to be careful and charitable (ie. don’t describe them as heretics, and be sure to learn the Baptist lingo) if you want to build meaningful relationships there because they may be just as wary about you.

 

[ltwin]

One more thing, if you do go. Baptists are lovely people, but a large minority/bare majority believe all Catholics worship Mary, would jump off a cliff if the Pope commanded it and are destined for hell. I don’t know Baylor, but you’ll want to be careful and charitable (ie. don’t describe them as heretics, and be sure to learn the Baptist lingo) if you want to build meaningful relationships there because they may be just as wary about you.

That shouldn’t be a problem. A majority of Baylor’s student body is already non-Baptist anyway.

 

[MyNameIsDan]

Hi all,

I was wondering what the rules were regarding a Catholic attending a Protestant (Baptist) college.

Does the same rules apply here that would apply to a secular school?

I want to attend Baylor University but the thing holding me back from applying is its a Baptist school.

I contacted their grad school coordinator and they said they PROMISED I would not have to take any of their theology classes nor would I have to attend their worship services.

They also have a Catholic Students organization and ministry.

And my spiritual director / regular confessor said it was fine for me to attend as long as I used common sense that would keep me from losing my faith.

I’m not concerned about losing my faith. In fact I think a Christian school would be a relief after spending 4 years in the Marxist, po-mo, liberal liberal ideology-filled secular school I’ve been going to.

My concern is I would basically be giving money to a heretical Christian organization that preaches a heretical Christian message (no offense to any Protestants on here). And I don’t want to commit to the school and later find out in the middle that I am not morally allowed to be there.

So I was wondering if there were any official rules…anybody on here who is currently attending Baylor?, anybody attended in the past? etc.

I think the EXACT same thing. If I were to apply for another university, I feel that I would have an issue with giving my money to an organization for the same reasons as you. So for me, it ends there. But it’s an easier choice for me because I have two to choose from here. I hope there’s another university you could go to that would be easier for you to say “yes” to attending. Did you express your concerns to your confessor? Not just “Is it okay for me to go to this school?” but the full on “Is it okay for me to give my money to this school whose teachings are contrary to our own …?” incase they didn’t get that. Just wondering if you were very explicit. I know I wouldn’t buy a product or support an artist who supports things that are contrary to Church teaching. Now that I think about it, for similar reasons, I wouldn’t support a university (mind you, it’s much more money compared to any product out there; movie, album, etc.) that supports things contrary to what I or the Church believes. At the same time, an education is so valuable so it’s a bit hard to say more and talking to that confessor / spiritual director will be really helpful.

On the other hand, there is distance education if you are okay with that and can find a program for what you want!