A group of students attempting to create an “Atheist, Agnostic and Questioning Students Club” on the campus of Notre Dame University was denied official status by the Student Activities Office last year but is now attempting once again to be recognized by the university, according to the ND Observer.
And they may be making headway.
For a club to become recognized it requires approval from the department that the club falls under. Last year, the group failed to receive approval from the department of Campus Ministry but this year the group has received approval from the Philosophy Department and is currently awaiting SAO review.
Last year, the SAO rejected the club’s request saying, “A club’s purpose ‘must be consistent with the University’s mission…No organization, or member of any organization on behalf of the organization, may encourage or participate in any activity which contravenes the mission of the University or the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.”
The group argues that the school recognized Muslim and Jewish clubs on campus.
Official recognition from the university would make the group eligible for funding to allow them to bring in guest speakers and hold events on campus.
Senior Stephen Love of the AAQS said “I think the [nonbeliever population] is vastly underestimated. I think people would be really surprised by how many students are interested.”
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59 Comments
No doubt, the nonbeliever population is underestimated by those who have been sleeping in Gethsemane.
SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! God Bless America.
Stand up for yourself worth and pray and do the right thing, according to God’s law.
God is wacthing all of you too!
The Atheist Club is not a religon as is Muslim or Jewish so they do not qualify to have a club. In a Roman Catholic University. Try the local government offices.
The Athiest Club should try to form an Alliance with the DNC and the Obama rel-election comittee. I’m sure they get a warm welcome as they can vote.
It doesn’t make sense to me that an atheist would go to Notre Dame. Those who do not believe don’t belong there……….Duh.
They can attend many other state universities in this country, if you do not believe in the mission that Notre Dame stands for. It is CATHOLIC !! Why force your agenda on the students of Notre Dame? Do that at any state college.
Notre Dame University was founded with the intent of teaching in the light and truths handed down by God to Humanity for its life and salvation, not to foster the deceptions from Satan that atheism espouses.
AMEN Nancy D. We need to be vigilant to what Satan is doing in this country! We are in the end of times and as Catholics, we MUST keep our faith strong!
As a Catholic school educated person including college and as a practicing Catholic I urge Notre Dame to deny this goup. ND is a catholic school, and in our times it is most important to remain Catholic.
“The group argues that the school recognized Muslim and Jewish clubs on campus.”
Clearly the school did recognize these groups. This is an easily verifiable fact, not up for argument. The argument is whether this means the school should also recognize the atheist group. This hinges on whether they consider atheism deserving of the same recognition as these non-Catholic religious groups. The Catholic Church would probably argue that they don’t.
I think that Catholic Universities should only allow Catholics to attend their institutions. After all, that’s why it’s called Catholic! By allowing others who are not Catholic, you’re asking for trouble. While we are taught to respect others’ religious beliefs, if they want to attend a Catholic college, then they need to respect our beliefs, since the college is Catholic. This Atheist group should not be allowed to form on campus.
I am waiting to see if the Student Activities Office or Campus Ministry will fall to the pushing of the AAQS in order to be a “politically correct” office or ministry. If you believe in the mission and character on the University of Notre Dame (Our Lady), then stand up for it.
It is up to the administration at Notre Dame to solve this problem, no one else. The diocese this university and to Order of Priests that govern this university should also step in to defend the Catholic Faith. If THEY do not immedialely expel all the athiests involved, reimbursing their past semester tuition, then THEY should be summarily disciplined for failure to do their duties as Catholics.
Each of those students should be given the choice of cease their activity as athiests or resign their student status and accept the semester return of tuition and Notre Dame to deny them any acedemic credits.
SIMPLE ANSWER> EXPEL THEM
Typical liberal Jesuits to allow teachings contrary to the Catholic Church. If they allow this the alumni should withhold all endowments and contributions. Hit them where it will hurt
Why in the world would ATHEISTS even want to attend a Catholic institution anyway except to stir up trouble—and that is their ONLY purpose in trying to push “their club” to defy those who stand on Principles and believe in God. They could easily go to another university that don’t stand on any principles or morals (just like they live.) No one is forcing them to stay at ND, and certainly they don’t belong there. The administration should stand firm in keeping standards high and Godly.
Catholic Doctrine is what this institution was founded for. If they can’t abide by them, they shouldn’t be there and they need to leave (Pure and simple). Why would the administration even think of accommodating this illogical request. If they do, it would be just ONE MORE reason for the populace to demand that “Catholic” should be removed from its status. What a shame. Wasn’t it Jesus who said, “Will you leave with them, too?” or will we stand with him and our beliefs. Didn’t Jesus himself drive out the money-changers?? (Didn’t he want a “GODLY” PLACE for worship and learning?
Food for thought.
Notre Dame is a Catholic university founded on Catholic teachings and traditions. Students attending the university should either accept this or find another universityto attend. Notre Dame needs to take a stand for this and for pro life issues.
Why are there Muslim and Jewish clubs on campus anyhow??? This is a Catholic institution. Isn’t it???
The staffers in the Philosophy Department need temporary leave to read up on the effects of Godlessness and relativism on youth and young adults. These departments have been populated with non-believers and outright indoctrinators. It’s time the official Church recognition of Notre Dame and others be pulled until they get real! God Lift the Veil From Their Eyes !
It is not our position to judge as Christians.
But why do they pick a Catholic University to try and be recognized. They can be atheists if they so choose. But the Catholics can be Catholic in faith and doctrine and belief in Jesus as our Lord. Let them go to another university and stay out of the Christian way of education. Do they truly not believe in God? or is this another call for attention or an entitlement because they are on this earth and only be the power of God. Pray for them.
Who are THEY that you refer too/ These kind of commemts do not resove this problem >
My response to Stephen Love, the senior who commented that the “non-believer population is vastly underestimated,” is that NO it is NOT vastly underestimated and in fact is the reason why Catholic Universities exist in the first place, to be a counter culture beacon of true enlightenment. If Mr. Love, or anyone else for that matter regards themselves as unbelievers of the truth of Jesus Christ, then they should NOT attend a Catholic University. They could have their bogus needs met elsewhere in any number of secular universities which actively and systematically pander to the dark forces that would remove God from His rightful place in every human institution. I find this totally absurd, and unfortunately characteristic of our times, why should Mr. Love or his like minded peers be on a mission to destroy the mission of a Catholic institution? Is it too late for Notre Dame, has it completely lost its soul? Should it continue to be regarded as a Catholic institution when it obviously allows for the promotion of atheism by the very affront of this young man and his friends in proposing such a blasphemous organization on campus? What are they really teaching there??
If the students feel so strongly that their views are being oppressed by the cloak of a Catholic legacy at Notre Dame, they can easily go elsewhere to find whatever it is they are seeking. This story is more telling of the university than the poor path these young people are choosing for themselves. If Notre Dame where indeed maintaining and promoting a Catholic identity this issue would not even come up, as the students would know that all true knowledge and enlightenment comes from God.
As for Muslims and Jews attending Notre Dame, if it were a true Catholic university, it could be a real opportunity for conversion for these groups. I would be interested in the number of conversions, if any, that resulted from the influence of the university. I suspect that those statistics are dismal since you can not offer what you no longer have. May the saints preserve us oh Lord!
My reply to Miriam Wiscovitch:
AMEN!
Notre Dame is a CATHOLIC school , keep it that way
No Atheist club should ever gain recognition on the Notre Dame campus! Are you kidding me! I can’t figure out why admissions would even accept any non Catholic students. Or, why would even someone want to attend ND if they were not Catholic. What a joke! ND should take a very hard line against this club. I am outraged at this because I have always viewed ND as a devout Catholic institution. Do not allow this ridiculous club to exist at Notre Dame. I am sure that the Blessed Virgin Mother is not very pleased with this. Anyone who tries to undermine the Catholic Church on this campus should be expelled period!
This is typical example of the slippery moral slope that the false ecumenical modernists within the Catholic Church of today find themselves in today.
Because these so-called Catholics will recognize Muslim and Jewish clubs on campus , which also contravene the moral teaching of the Catholic Church, there is no logical way they can deny recognition to atheists.
All three groups have totally deny the divinity of Christ and many important teachings which are the essence of the faith.
The answer is to deny status to all groups, otherwise we allow ecumenists to continue to weaken the faith as theyve done for the last 40 years.
OK. Please explain to me why someone who is “Atheist, Agnostic or Questioning” would even WANT to attend a university that is CATHOLIC?!
I personally think that ND should be stripped of their “Catholic” identity. Not for this, but simply because over the years, they have shown that they do not care about Church teaching! If being in line with Church teaching were important to them, they would not allow the “V monologues” to play on campus or invite rabid pro abortion politicians to address a graduating class! They would also not allow heretic professors to poison the minds of the students.
If someone were to start a college/university, and made it clear that they and their mission was atheistic/agnostic, etc., I would certainly not expect them to allow a Catholic group on campus. SO why do they expect a so-called Catholic university to allow their group?
Believe, don’t belive… it’s your choice, but could we please be consistent?
This is absurd. If they are atheists go somewhere else. What are they doing at a Catholic University? This madness has to stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again…If the University of Notre Dame is indeed Catholic…one would hope it would hold fast to the Catholic teachings…After all the school is named after Our Lady…Our Mother..Given to us by Jesus from the cross….If they choose to allow this Solomenic diversity to continue then change the name and stop calling the University Catholic…Surely there are plenty of Public (Government) Universities where the Atheist, Agnostic and Questioning Students Club could blosom…Why at a Catholic School? Is this to immitate Solomen’s wish to be inclusive in order to appease the masses…If what the Catholic Church teaches is Too Much…Turn and walk away as many followers of Jesus did when he said eat my body and drink my blood…when they waked away he didn’t say “hey wait…that’s not what I meant” He allowed them to walk away. Atheeists why go to a school who worships God????
Since when is “atheism” a religion?? Let the atheists find an atheist University – there are tons of them around. Notre Dame has been a traditional Catholic Institution. We pray she continues as such.
May be the nonbeliever population should create their own University. Then after realizing how hard it is to do things without GOD’s help in the lives they will start praying for help and come back or turn it into a Christian university after all. Love and peace to all.
When accepting admission to a university whose core value is…..”there is a God” and then setting out to change that, is the height of egomania.
If that’s what you believe…go to Yale or Harvard. Oh yeah, you’re not about equality, you’re about disruption.
There are many other colleges out there that have open beliefs they can transfer to if they are unhappy with the current policy at Notre Dame. This is a Christian college with a belief in God and not a place for an atheist with a closed mind. God is Good
Of course the atheist and agnostics want a club at a Catholic University, that way they can feel that they are somehow valid in their ill fated reasoning since they have nothing else to base their “beliefs” on. By gaining acceptence at a Catholic School of any kind most especially a well known University they act as parasites, (by feeding on their hosts) all the while they are now justified by being there because the host has invited them. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! Keep our Catholic campuses free from these pests! Just say “NO”!!!! Tell them to gettheir own University funded by your own kind of people. Also I’d fire the head of the Philosopy department because this person clearly does not have the best interest in mind for this college and it’s mission. Why don’t they ask an Islamic college if they would like an atheist college? You know why they wouldn’t do that now don’t you. The Catholic church is constantly being attacked because it stands for the truth. Beware, Satan is trying his hardest to destroy the Catholic church, don’t make it easy for him by inviting him in. Peace.
I am so tired of seeing repeats of voting results challanged every year until a group gets their desired result. Why not have another vote the year after that!? Bylaws and National,State and Local laws should have a claus that either restricts the number of votes an issue can have in a given period of time or if determined by a majority the first time no further voting on that issue at least for a generation.If this organization gets a positve vote this time than have another vote next year in yet another department etc., etc., etc.
Don’t go to a Catholic School if you don’t like their rules. Stop trying to change things to suite you.
An atheist club for non-believers has no place at a Catholic University. Those that choose to be non-believers must take their cause up else where. A non-believers club within a Catholic campus is blasphemous! This shall not occur now or ever on the grounds of faith in Jesus Christ our Savior!
For what reason would atheists even want to attend Notre Dame or any religious college other than to foist their views on believers. It is ridiculous for Notre Dame to consider allowing an “atheist club.” There are so many secular universities and so few Catholic ones. Let’s either keep the Catholic identity of Catholic universities or stop the pretense of being Catholic.
Is Notre Dame Catholic, or isn’t it?If Catholic
as it claims, then why does it water down its
philosophy? If students don’t want to abide by
that, they are IN THE WRONG SCHOOL, and should
enroll in a school that claims THEIR beliefs!!
Catholic parents have a RIGHT to know that the
school can be trusted to teach what it proclaims!!! After all, they can not be AT THE
school to monitor such discretions!!!
It’s time for “catholic” universities to start acting like they are catholic. Notre Dame and Marquette Univesity, among others need to decide if they are truly catholic.
Muslims and Jews still believe in God. There is nothing that an atheist believes in that equates to the Catholic Faith.
A club should be consistant with the values of the Campus. Do not allow an atheist group to be part of your Campus. You are expected to have high standards in the programs you have.
Seems that some students at Notre Dame need to re-learn logical reasoning. That Judaism and Islam do not believe in Christ as Lord and Redeemer demonstrates their inconsistency with Catholic teaching. Fine. It does NOT follow logically that any students ought to be allowed to create any old club. We do not see a club aimed at proposing Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, for example.
Islam and Judaism DO believe in a Supreme Being, they ARE monotheistic, and both seem to recognized Christ as an important historical figure. Obviously they do not place the same degree of importance on His life and teachings, but they’re still closer to Truth than not.
What will a club focused on atheists, agnostics, and questioning students focus on? I don’t imagine they’ll be examining the virtues of Catholic teaching in any particular fashion.
Notre Dame’s philosophy department needs to more thoroughly examine their mission.
What is the mission of Notre Dame? As for the latter count, surely atheists would not /necessarily/ undermine the moral teaching of the Church.
Maybe I just think it’s a poorly written, equivocal policy, if the excerpt is accurate and reflects the whole of the policy.
Athiests have completely subverted the teaching at our public colleges and universities. It should be no surprise that they attempt, and in some cases succeed, in the Catholic universities. Vigilance!
they do not believe in god so take it off campus.
who cares what they believe or what they discuss.
who cares what they believe or discuss
Has the Catholic mission of this University changed? As I see it, the club’s purpose is still inconsistent with the mission of the Catholic Church & that is to teach that Jesus Christ is our Lord & Savior. I feel that money donated or paid to ND used to support these groups (Jewish & Muslim as well) is counterproductive and should stop. They are free to join these groups anywhere off campus or are free to go to a State or non-secular University, but should not be supported by a Catholic University.
Why did you choose to go to Notra Dame if you have feeling like wanting to form an athiest group on a supossedly great Catholic University… I say supossibly, because lately I’m not so sure Its Great, and even Catholic.
I have no doubt that this group will be given appoval given all that the university stands for!
Pray the Rosary every day.
Let us pray for their immortal souls.
Since Notre Dame is a PRIVATE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, how can this even be an issue?
If a College has an atheist Club, how can it rightly be a Catholic College?
I cannot even believe an agnostic a Notre Dame, let alone trying to start a club. The answer to this is NO, is that easy enought to understand. This is truly the death of common sense
I am wondering why an atheist would choose a catholic university with so many other choices out there! As Catholics we must pray for them, that is what God wants us to do. Atheist clubs DO NOT belong in a Catholic University.
My son is a graduate of N D AND MY REASON FOR SENDING HIM THERE was because it was a Catholic School. Maybe the higher ups are losing sight as to why the school was founded. If we are teaching Catholic, let’s keep it Catholic.
Notre Dame is a Catholic institution founded by Father Soren of Notre Dame to help teach the faith and strengthen the faith. Shame on Nancy D for her cutesy phrase about “…sleeping in Gethsemane.” She wouldn’t dare make such a comment about an event in Muhammad’s life for example. There are enough colleges around the country preaching the religion of atheism and secularism. Go there.
God bless all of you particularly those who don’t have the gift of faith. Ask God for it. You’ll be surprised.
I didn’t think Nancy’s comment was terribly unfortunate. I thought it aimed mostly at suggesting that Notre Dame and other schools have dramatically watered down their Catholic ID to cater to various folks.
I can’t imagine why I’d go to a Baptist school that didn’t proselytize with Baptist faith. Why would I expect a Catholic school to not be distinctly Catholic?
Nor would I expect an Islamic school to focus much on Christian faiths……
The Catholic Church is not a democracy so let the Atheist groups take their group to the Secular Universities. The head of the Philosophy Department at Notre Dame does not seem to understand this, he also should go elsewhere. We as Catholics hold dear to our Catholic beliefs and do not seek to democratize our Church. If all these Universities get this one important point we would not be in this situation. The fact that the Catholic Church is not a democracy has served to preserve her this far. As Catholics we do not expect our doctrines to be changed to suit just about anyone who would like to change us.
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