Catholic High Schools and the Parish, Part Four: This Just In: An Unscientific, Anonymous, Intriguing Survey

In response to my blog postings this week, a friend of mine, who teaches junior-year religion class at an upscale, suburban Catholic high school in the southern U.S., conducted an unscientific, anonymous poll on Tuesday.  Here are the intriguing results:

1. What grade are you in and have you been to a Catholic school before?

Freshmen (never been to a Catholic school before this year) 0.0% 0
Freshman (I have been to a Catholic school before this year) 0.0% 0
Sophomore (never been to a Catholic school before this year) 3.0% 3
Sophomore (I have been to a Catholic school before this year) 1.0% 1
Junior (never been to a Catholic school before this year) 7.0% 7
Junior (I have been to a Catholic school before this year) 76.0% 76
Senior (never been to a Catholic school before this year) 0.0% 0
Senior (I have been to a Catholic school before this year) 2% 2


2. What do think about going to a Catholic high school compared to a public or another private school?

 I love it! I couldn't imagine going to a school that wasn't Catholic! 22.0% 20
It's nice, but I wish it were a little less private/college prep and a little more Catholic 18.0% 18
It's nice, but I wish it was a little less Catholic and a little more private/college prep. 49.0% 49
I would rather be in a public school! I'm forced to be here! 11% 11


3. How would you rate your faith? Which one best applies to you?

Jesus is my rock and my all! 39.0% 39
I think Jesus is a good source for morals, but not much more. 9.0% 9
I think Jesus is someone to talk and pray to in hard times, but not much more. 16.0% 16
I think Jesus is God, but I don't really know what that has to do with me now. 7.0% 7
I believe in God, I'm just not sure Christianity has it completely right. 18.0% 18
I think Christianity has some good stuff to offer our culture, but I don't believe Jesus is God or anything like that. 8.0% 8
I don't really believe in God, and don't agree with much of anything the Church says, but hey, everybody has a right to free speech. 3.0% 3
The world would be better off without Christianity altogether. 0% 0


4. What do you think makes something someone does right or wrong?

Nothing is really right or wrong. Those are just labels judgmental people put on things to make themselves feel better. 1.0% 1
That is something that is WAY too complicated for me to judge. 3.0% 3
I think it just depends on somebody's intentions - are they trying to do something wrong or right? 23.0% 23
I think it depends on what they are actually doing, what their intentions are, and the circumstances under which they do it. 61.0% 61
I think it depends on what their intentions are and the circumstances under which they do it. 12% 12


5. Do you frequent the Sacraments?

I am not Catholic. 37.0% 37
I am Catholic, but I never go to Mass or confession unless I am forced to do so. 5.0%
I am Catholic, but I rarely go to Sunday Mass or confession. 12.0% 12
I am Catholic, and I go to Sunday Mass not every week, but a couple times a month. 18.0% 18
I am Catholic and I go to Mass every week and confession every couple months. 26.0% 26
I am Catholic and I go to Mass every week and confession every couple weeks. 2% 2


6. Where do you feel your moral beliefs lie when it comes to your understanding of Catholic teaching on issues of sexual morality?

From what I understand, I probably couldn't DISAGREE more. 9.0% 9
Catholics have a couple good points, but I really don't think they are very practical for me in today's age. 27.0% 27
I think I am in line with most of the major stuff, but I have some small disagreements. 37.0% 37
From what I understand, I pretty much agree with everything the Church teaches about this. 27% 27


7. Where do you feel your opinion on wealth and material things lies?

He who dies with the most toys wins. 0.0% 0
I have no problem with people being devoting their lives to their wealth or how they get their money, so long as they give some of it away to those in need. 27.0% 27
Nothing wrong with being rich or poor - spend your money however you want, just don't be a jerk about it. 50.0% 50
Nothing wrong with being rich, but it's probably more of a burden than a blessing. 21.0% 21
I personally would prefer to be poor rather than rich. 2% 2


8. What influence has attending a Catholic school had on your morals?

This is my first year at a Catholic school. 3.0% 3
Honestly, it has probably pushed me farther away from what the Church teaches about most things. 17.0% 17
It has had basically no influence at all. I'm the same person I came in as. 16.0% 16
Attending a Catholic school has made me a better person. but I could probably say the same thing about any high school, Catholic or not. 16.0% 16
Attending a Catholic school has made me a better person in general, but not much else. 26.0% 26
Attending a Catholic school has had a big influence on me. I would not be as strong in my faith and/or morals if I went somewhere else. 22.0% 22


9. What influence have the Theology teachers and campus ministers had on you?

To me, all of them demonstrate a solid, positive, knowledgeable, and committed witness of what it means to be Catholic in today's world. 54.0% 54
To me, some, but not all demonstrate a sold, positive, knowledgeable, and committed witness of what it means to be a Catholic in today's world. 43.0% 43
To me, none of them demonstrate a sold, positive, knowledgeable, and committed witness of what it means to be a Catholic in today's world. 3.0% 3


10. Which best describes your plans for after high school?

I am not Catholic. 37.0% 37
I am Catholic, and I have never thought of going to seminary for the priesthood or joining religious life as a brother or nun. 52.0% 52
I am Catholic, and I have thought of attending seminary for the priesthood or joining religious life as a brother or nun - but I don't plan on doing that. 8.0% 8
I am Catholic, and I have thought of attending seminary for the priesthood or joining religious life as a brother or nun - I am just waiting to see what God wants me to do! 3.0% 3
I am Catholic, and I have thought of attending seminary for the priesthood or joining religious life as a brother or nun - and I am planning on doing just that! 0.0% 0

Catholic High Schools and the Parish, Part Three: Students "Learning to Think for Themselves" about Religious Matters

Is it more like students learning to think like their religion teachers about religious matters?

(To be continued...)