All Ages Non-catholics in a Catholic school

[lindbergh]

I studied in a Catholic school in high school and college. We had 4 religion subjects in high school and 4 in college. It was pretty even. I'm a catholic myself so I didn't have any problem studying religion. But I had some classmates from other religions that had to take up religion subjects. They were very irked that they were required to take them up even though they were non-believers. Do you think that non Catholics in a catholic school should take up religion subjects too?

 

[DDavies]

If they are attending the school, they should follow the school's policies. Private schools don't have to play by the same rules as public schools. If they want the prestige of a private school education, they have to meet the school's requirements. Period. Sounds harsh, but it is what it is.

 

[Dora M]

In some countries it is regarded as prestigious to attend a catholic school. Whether the student is interested in Catholicism or not, is irrelevant, as long as he participates in religious lessons.
I was sent to a Catholic school against my will and forced to participate in religious practices, while being threatened that if I didn't do so, I would have a lot of difficulties in later life to find a good job. It sounded like something out of the Dark Ages, and it definitely felt like it.
I refused to follow the Catholic doctrines and was kicked out of the school. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

 

[qyeasat]

If it's a private school, I feel that the student should have to adhere to school policy. I had to take one religion course, and one physical education course (which was not required by the diploma program I was working towards in high school past Year 10). Myself being non-religious, I found the courses to be quite interesting for a little while, but they did become monotonous and rather quite a drag as the years carried on. I think that this may be due to the lack of interest given to the course by the teaching staff and the archdioceses in general. It seemed like a poorly designed course and I feel that certain improvements would have made the course at least a little more enjoyable for a non-Catholic or a non-practicing member of the religion.

 

[zararina]

It was right that it could be required to them since they are enrolled on such school. I think it was just okay as long as they are not forced to convert or also believe on it. If they cannot stand attending those classes, I think transferring to another school could be their option.

 

[kevin]

Yeah it has been happening like that since, people who are non-Catholic, school in Catholic school which is weird but cool at the same time because they are now members of the Catholic empire so am happy

 

[axl2468]

Religion should not be forced on anyone, ever. I don't think Catholic schools should force non-catholics to participate in religious classes (IF the discussions contain beliefs that those non-catholics do not have; general discussion about christianity is okay for non-catholic christians).

 

[Michael Burgos]

I think if the students have a choice to go to other school, then they should enroll themselves to other schools to avoid complications. However, here in the Philippines, the country respect the freedom of religion. If you are a non Catholic student at a Catholic school, you can get a letter from your Pastor to make yourself excuse from the religious activities of the school and they will respect that because it is in the constitution. I have a friend who is a born again Pastor and he is studying in a Catholic school. He follows the school policies and he make some necessary actions to excuse himself from the school's religious activities.