Welcome for non-Catholics

Is your faith non-Catholic Christianity? Judaism? Islam? Baha'i Faith? Buddhism? Hinduism? Jainism? Sikhism? Agnosticism? Atheism? Humanism? New Age? a Native American religion? Neopaganism? Druidry? Wicca? New Thought Movement? Unitarian Universalism? Taoism? Spiritual but not religious? Or something else? Or no faith at all? Well, you are welcome to compete with the Albertus Magnus' Debate Team.

On Maundy Thursday 2013, Pope Francis washed and kissed the foot of a Muslim female prisoner. The Holy Week traditional foot washing ceremony was always a symbol of the Catholic call to service, but in this act, Pope Francis reminded Catholics of the responsibility to serve everyone, no matter what their faith may be.

Catholic hospitals, schools, charities, and other ministries have always served the entire community, regardless as to the religion (or lack thereof) of the individuals we serve. The Albertus Magnus Academy is no different. Non-Catholics are welcome to take advantage of the opportunity to compete with the Academy's debate team. We've had several non-Catholics on our team (even Atheists). Unlike many of the homeschool programs in the Carolinas, we don't require you to sign a statement of faith.

The lectures on Catholic Social Doctrine and Thomistic Philosophy are separated out from the Argumentation & Debate lectures, the latter which are secular in nature (except where noted).

However, non-Catholics need to keep in mind that the primary mission of the Academy includes inculcating our Catholic students in Catholic Social Doctrine and Thomistic Philosophy. The optional online class (it is not a requirement to take this class in order to compete) will periodically begin with discussing how the social doctrine of the Catholic Church applies to any given topic (your student can always join the class late, after the topic analysis discussion). Hence, you will be participating with a team in which its Catholic students may be proselytizing (via debate competition and practice) a social philosophy different than your own.

All students (Catholic and non-Catholic) at club-sponsored events are expected to refrain from:

Public displays of affection by non-married couples;
Unless part of the script for a performance event, personally exhibiting the vices of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride (which infers that the student will publicly represent the virtues of chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility);
Public criticisms (private conversations with members of other teams is permitted) of the Catholic Church or its teachings, unless it is directly relevant to the speech or debate topic in the event the student is competing in;
Inciting other team members into arguments concerning the Catholic Church or its teachings.