
Religious Law Schools Forum
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:47 am
Religious Law Schools
So recently I read an article about Notre Dame, of which they talked about the schools religious roots. I already knew of Notre Dame, thanks to top-law-schools.com, but are there other law schools that are similarly notorious for being religious or having a heavily influenced religious community? Appreciate the help! 

-
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:19 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
Sorry I don't have an answer for you but I was wondering this too. What does it mean if a law school is Catholic or Methodist? As an agnostic would I feel put of place there and should I count those ones out?
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:47 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
I know that Notre Dame is notorious for how religious it is. Above The Law just released an article about how they had a big campus-wide explosion about an email/meeting that talked about how contraceptives are wrong. In addition, I've heard some teachers will start classes with prayers, etc. And most rooms have crosses on them. I feel that'd be a major determinant in the perspective with which you approach the law, and it'd also probably show in the population that attends the school (similar religious backgrounds probably, etc).
- UnamSanctam
- Posts: 7342
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:17 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
A number of TLSers who attended ND have said in the past that the religious atmosphere is there, but they didn't really make you feel uncomfortable if you weren't Catholic. Other religious schools do exist, but I'm not sure any of them are as notorious for it as ND.
- TLS_noobie
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:17 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
I just wanted to be clear:
UnamSanctam wrote:A number of TLSers who attended ND have said in the past that the religious atmosphere is there, but they didn't really make you feel uncomfortable if you weren't Catholic. Other religious schools do exist, but I'm not sure any of them are as notorious for it as ND.
"Notorious" typically has a negative connotation. So, is Notre Dame's degree of religious-ness strong or not-so-strong (in terms of its effect on the law students who may not share the same religious beliefs)?Enderdejorand wrote:I know that Notre Dame is notorious for how religious it is.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
- UnamSanctam
- Posts: 7342
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:17 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
They are notorious for being religious (as in, I hear people worried about it all the time), but TLSers who have attended Notre Dame say it is not overly preachy.TLS_noobie wrote:I just wanted to be clear:
UnamSanctam wrote:A number of TLSers who attended ND have said in the past that the religious atmosphere is there, but they didn't really make you feel uncomfortable if you weren't Catholic. Other religious schools do exist, but I'm not sure any of them are as notorious for it as ND."Notorious" typically has a negative connotation. So, is Notre Dame's degree of religious-ness strong or not-so-strong (in terms of its effect on the law students who may not share the same religious beliefs)?Enderdejorand wrote:I know that Notre Dame is notorious for how religious it is.
- TLS_noobie
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:17 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
Gotcha.UnamSanctam wrote:They are notorious for being religious (as in, I hear people worried about it all the time), but TLSers who have attended Notre Dame say it is not overly preachy.TLS_noobie wrote:I just wanted to be clear:
UnamSanctam wrote:A number of TLSers who attended ND have said in the past that the religious atmosphere is there, but they didn't really make you feel uncomfortable if you weren't Catholic. Other religious schools do exist, but I'm not sure any of them are as notorious for it as ND."Notorious" typically has a negative connotation. So, is Notre Dame's degree of religious-ness strong or not-so-strong (in terms of its effect on the law students who may not share the same religious beliefs)?Enderdejorand wrote:I know that Notre Dame is notorious for how religious it is.
Thanks for the clear-up

-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:47 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
Do you know of any of the other schools//the degree to which they are religious? Is there anyway to find out, other than forums that are related with the school itself?UnamSanctam wrote:A number of TLSers who attended ND have said in the past that the religious atmosphere is there, but they didn't really make you feel uncomfortable if you weren't Catholic. Other religious schools do exist, but I'm not sure any of them are as notorious for it as ND.
- 2LT_CPG
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:26 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
I've went to a Jesuit high school and then a Jesuit college, and I'm likely going to a Jesuit law school. I can't speak to Notre Dame, but I feel like I have some insight into Catholic, and specifically Jesuit schools.
Once you get to the university level, religious affiliation means relatively little for Catholic schools. At my undergrad, the actively Catholic population was there - but they all sought out the Catholic aspects of the school (the pro-life club, faith-based service groups, retreats, mass, etc). But unless you elect to take advantage of the religious stuff, you'd be hard-pressed to see religion in anything else. There was a big number of Jewish people on campus, and even the Muslim Student Association had a pretty active membership, complete with a large prayer room in one of the academic buildings. I hesitate to call myself an agnostic (I just don't care), but I never felt any marginalization or anything. It was a fairly liberal, pro-choice campus, albeit with a more vocal College Republican group.
One of the most famous Catholic law schools in the country is attached to my undergrad, so I assume it's the same there.
That said, I can't speak for women. Our health center would not prescribe birth control, and is somewhat notorious for ordering pregnancy tests for anything girls come in for, even if they say they haven't had sex in months. Males/females can't have overnight guests of the opposite sex signed into university housing, even though there are ways around it and it's never enforced.
That's my experience. But I imagine it's vastly different at BYU, Regent, and Liberty.
Once you get to the university level, religious affiliation means relatively little for Catholic schools. At my undergrad, the actively Catholic population was there - but they all sought out the Catholic aspects of the school (the pro-life club, faith-based service groups, retreats, mass, etc). But unless you elect to take advantage of the religious stuff, you'd be hard-pressed to see religion in anything else. There was a big number of Jewish people on campus, and even the Muslim Student Association had a pretty active membership, complete with a large prayer room in one of the academic buildings. I hesitate to call myself an agnostic (I just don't care), but I never felt any marginalization or anything. It was a fairly liberal, pro-choice campus, albeit with a more vocal College Republican group.
One of the most famous Catholic law schools in the country is attached to my undergrad, so I assume it's the same there.
That said, I can't speak for women. Our health center would not prescribe birth control, and is somewhat notorious for ordering pregnancy tests for anything girls come in for, even if they say they haven't had sex in months. Males/females can't have overnight guests of the opposite sex signed into university housing, even though there are ways around it and it's never enforced.
That's my experience. But I imagine it's vastly different at BYU, Regent, and Liberty.
- brookieanne
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:23 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
Pepperdine as well.
-
- Posts: 227
- Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 1:58 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
I can't speak to ND's religious aspect (it was my top choice and they rejected me
), but I am at a Jesuit law school right now. Except for a little dust up last semester when people realized they couldn't get birth control through the health services, I'd have no idea it was affiliated with a religious group at all.
To be honest, I'm very religious, but I couldn't imagine going to a law school that over-emphasized religion. As a Christian, I'm interested personally in the roots of our legal system and the extent to which it does (and does not) spring from the Judeo-Christian thought present at the development of the common law. But I don't necessarily see how that translates into applying a "biblical view" in every class, like torts or contracts. I'm sure there's a connection, but my understanding is that the connection is central at places like Liberty and Regent. I'd rather learn the legal theory well and explore those connections on my own or through some group or activity on campus.

To be honest, I'm very religious, but I couldn't imagine going to a law school that over-emphasized religion. As a Christian, I'm interested personally in the roots of our legal system and the extent to which it does (and does not) spring from the Judeo-Christian thought present at the development of the common law. But I don't necessarily see how that translates into applying a "biblical view" in every class, like torts or contracts. I'm sure there's a connection, but my understanding is that the connection is central at places like Liberty and Regent. I'd rather learn the legal theory well and explore those connections on my own or through some group or activity on campus.
- Tom Joad
- Posts: 4526
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:56 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
If you know many Catholics you wouldn't be worried. Catholics aren't evangelicals.
- rinkrat19
- Posts: 13922
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:35 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
I've heard that Pepperdine is very religious, and while it's still a decent school, religion does leak into daily life.
Liberty is a joke of a school completely overrun by its religious affiliation, including in class.
The Mormons swear up and down that a non-Mormon, or even a non-religious person, would be perfectly comfortable at BYU, but I confess to being a bit skeptical.
Of the religious schools that I'm aware of, I'd be most likely to attend Notre Dame. At least Catholics don't try to shove their religion down your throat. On many topics, Catholics are actually pretty chill.
Liberty is a joke of a school completely overrun by its religious affiliation, including in class.
The Mormons swear up and down that a non-Mormon, or even a non-religious person, would be perfectly comfortable at BYU, but I confess to being a bit skeptical.
Of the religious schools that I'm aware of, I'd be most likely to attend Notre Dame. At least Catholics don't try to shove their religion down your throat. On many topics, Catholics are actually pretty chill.
Last edited by rinkrat19 on Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- Kikero
- Posts: 1233
- Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:28 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
This. I even know some non-Catholics who went to Catholic high schools.Tom Joad wrote:If you know many Catholics you wouldn't be worried. Catholics aren't evangelicals.
- 2LT_CPG
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:26 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
I think we're talking about the same university.LS-boundNYC wrote:I can't speak to ND's religious aspect (it was my top choice and they rejected me), but I am at a Jesuit law school right now. Except for a little dust up last semester when people realized they couldn't get birth control through the health services, I'd have no idea it was affiliated with a religious group at all.
To be honest, I'm very religious, but I couldn't imagine going to a law school that over-emphasized religion. As a Christian, I'm interested personally in the roots of our legal system and the extent to which it does (and does not) spring from the Judeo-Christian thought present at the development of the common law. But I don't necessarily see how that translates into applying a "biblical view" in every class, like torts or contracts. I'm sure there's a connection, but my understanding is that the connection is central at places like Liberty and Regent. I'd rather learn the legal theory well and explore those connections on my own or through some group or activity on campus.
Also, I'm not sure what the situation is at ND, but at most Jesuit universities, the president is a Jesuit priest, and some of the faculty positions are reserved for Jesuits, mostly in theology, but also sometimes in the law school. I once had a Jesuit professor in my music history class. I took a theology course in comparative religion, and the professor was probably the most intelligent person I've ever met. He was a Jesuit priest, but his area of speciality was eastern religion - he spoke ancient Arabic, Aramaic, and whatever language the Bhagavad Gita is written in. It was impressive. He held the distinction of being the only known Catholic priest to have been to Mecca, which means he technically had converted to Islam when he was studying in Egypt. That's the kind of thing you get at Jesuit schools, which I love.
ND had that dust up a few years ago when it invited President Obama to speak at commencement. A ton of alums, students, and faculty were furious because the president is pro-choice. I feel like that's more illustrative of ND than say, Georgetown, because it has a much more conservative and openly religious student body, and the alumni network (and hence, board of trustees) reflects that.
But like others have said, it's different at the evangelical universities. There was a great article in the NYT maybe two months ago that was all about Michele Bachmann's law school, currently known as Regent. Extremely conservative and preachy, dedicated to a Christian, biblical interpretation of the law. I recommend it if only to get some insight into those kind of schools. I don't know for sure, but I imagine Brigham Young is similar, albeit with a Mormon twist.
- mattviphky
- Posts: 1111
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
I think ND might be a bit more religious than people realize, which may or may not be a good aspect for you. I'm Catholic, so when I visited ND nothing came across as shocking, but a non-religious person might find it to be a little much. As stated above, the alumni association went ape shit when President Obama was invited, given his pro-choice views. Also, SMU doesn't seem overly religious, but I think that Methodism might be a little bit more reserved than Catholicism. For instance, while looking through the website I saw that SMU health services dispenses contraception.
- mattviphky
- Posts: 1111
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
Not in the sense that they become fire and brimstone, but they definitely know how to administer disapproval. A prominent politician from my state belongs to the same parish that I do, but the priest has made it widely known that he isn't invited to take communion, given his stance on abortion.Tom Joad wrote:If you know many Catholics you wouldn't be worried. Catholics aren't evangelicals.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
- TommyK
- Posts: 1309
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:08 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
Liberty, BYU, Ave Maria
- JamMasterJ
- Posts: 6649
- Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:17 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
I think these, Regent and St Thomas are about the only ones with heavy religious influence to the point that it creeps into the classroom. Schools like Pepperdine and ND seem to have a bit of atmosphere, but don't teach law from a Biblical perspective.TommyK wrote:Liberty, BYU, Ave Maria
- 2LT_CPG
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:26 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/us/po ... wanted=all
There's that article on Regent I was referencing. Again, the extreme, not what ND or others are like.
There's that article on Regent I was referencing. Again, the extreme, not what ND or others are like.
- crossarmant
- Posts: 1116
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:01 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
What about Boston College? I was thinking about throwing a transfer app out to them, but the idea of an overtly religious university bothers me (Been at only state schools). I know they're a Jesuit school, but I haven't heard of any real religious overtones permeating from them.
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- 2LT_CPG
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:26 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
Read the stuff I wrote about Jesuit colleges, the same probably applies to BC. BC as a university (not strictly talking law school comparisons here) is pretty similar to Georgetown with how they exude their 'Catholicness'.crossarmant wrote:What about Boston College? I was thinking about throwing a transfer app out to them, but the idea of an overtly religious university bothers me (Been at only state schools). I know they're a Jesuit school, but I haven't heard of any real religious overtones permeating from them.
- UnamSanctam
- Posts: 7342
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:17 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
This. Jesuits have a reputation for being on the more liberal side of Catholic theology.2LT_CPG wrote:Read the stuff I wrote about Jesuit colleges, the same probably applies to BC. BC as a university (not strictly talking law school comparisons here) is pretty similar to Georgetown with how they exude their 'Catholicness'.crossarmant wrote:What about Boston College? I was thinking about throwing a transfer app out to them, but the idea of an overtly religious university bothers me (Been at only state schools). I know they're a Jesuit school, but I haven't heard of any real religious overtones permeating from them.
Also, interesting note about the priest that went to Mecca since, as you mentioned, you have to be Muslim to enter it.
- 2LT_CPG
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:26 pm
Re: Religious Law Schools
It was a pretty cool story the way he told it. He was studying Islamic theology in Egypt and went because he was really intellectually curious. It may have happened before he was ordained though - I think it's possible he was still either just an academic or it was during his scholastic period in the SJ. But he recited the Shahada before witnesses and everything.UnamSanctam wrote:Also, interesting note about the priest that went to Mecca since, as you mentioned, you have to be Muslim to enter it.
Same guy spent time at a Buddhist monastery in India for awhile too.
-
- Posts: 305
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:08 am
Re: Religious Law Schools
The biggest offenders are Baylor, Pepperdine, BYU, Liberty, Ave Maria
Lots of other schools (The Loyola's, U of San Diego, et al) are religious but it does not really transfer into student life at all. The above ones do impose a sort of religious atmosphere from what I understand. I have only had direct experience with Pepperdine and Baylor though.
Lots of other schools (The Loyola's, U of San Diego, et al) are religious but it does not really transfer into student life at all. The above ones do impose a sort of religious atmosphere from what I understand. I have only had direct experience with Pepperdine and Baylor though.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login