Religion in NW AR (Fort Smith, Fayetteville: relocate, work, college)

[lethargicmayfly]

Is AR as religious as I think it is?
I'm basing this on the billboards down the roads, mostly. Also in Russellville I saw that a national chain business was giving discounts to people who brought in a church bulletin. I thought rural West TN was very religious, but I never saw that growing up! Has anyone lived in both?

I'm mostly asking about NW AR, especially around Fayetteville or Bentonville.

Would you recommend that non-believers keep it quiet (not necessarily for safety, but also to avoid long drawn-out speeches or the quiet prejudice at work that you can never quite prove)?

[The A-Team]

Originally Posted by lethargicmayfly

Is AR as religious as I think it is?
I'm basing this on the billboards down the roads, mostly. Also in Russellville I saw that a national chain business was giving discounts to people who brought in a church bulletin. I thought rural West TN was very religious, but I never saw that growing up! Has anyone lived in both?

I'm mostly asking about NW AR, especially around Fayetteville or Bentonville.

Would you recommend that non-believers keep it quiet (not necessarily for safety, but also to avoid long drawn-out speeches or the quiet prejudice at work that you can never quite prove)?

Well I am not a religious person(though many of my family members are/have been preachers, and every is religious) and i never felt ashamed to speak my mind(I grew up in Fayetteville, left when i was 18). Its not rampant, but I have definatly run into people that try to push religion on me. I would usually say something like "thats nice, but its just not for me". Many of them would keep going, but I just smile and nod. If they're rude about it, i would tell them why it makes no sense, how there is no proof, ask them why they personally believe it to be true....never got a good answer. Because those people are just spitting out what they've been fed, they don't think for themselves. What i consider to be "true christians"(what has been my experience, those that have decided for themselves that this is what is best for them, not just believing those that told them to mindlessly believe) will not force anything on you. They may talk about it, might even say you should come to church sometime, but wont be like the idiots that spit out you're going to hell etc etc. You can definatly live in Fayetteville and not be a christian without being miserable(most of my friends aren't), but be prepared that you might encounter a few annoying people.

[lethargicmayfly]

Oh, I grew up in Medina TN...I'm prepared for that!
That's why I generally keep quiet unless someone directly asks, though. It's just a waste of time.


There's just so many billboards! Is there a group that just has that as their hobby?

[The A-Team]

Originally Posted by lethargicmayfly

Oh, I grew up in Medina TN...I'm prepared for that!
That's why I generally keep quiet unless someone directly asks, though. It's just a waste of time.


There's just so many billboards! Is there a group that just has that as their hobby?

The reason for the blillboards is there is a good amount of VERY religious people, groups, and buisnesses, it is still a predominately religious area. Also for the $$$. The tools of God are not limited to the gaining of compassion... the fastest way to a corrupt mans heart is through his wallet, and he'll get there by any means.

[Mulerider93]

I am a quasi-stereotypical right-wing, fundamentalist, born-again Southern Baptist, and former seminary student. That said...

While this is a fairly "religious" area, it doesn't seem more or less such than the DFW/Mid-Cities area we moved here from. Certainly more outwardly church-centered than suburban Detroit where I spent a lot of time, but non-church goers here out-number those of us who do.

I've never observed the "quiet prejudice" aimed at non-religious. To the contrary, I've seen it directed at the "goody goody" Christian.

Either way, this seems to be a comfortable place for people from all faiths. There was a Muslim guy that reported to me for a time. He had no problem fitting in the community.

--jcd

[lethargicmayfly]

Thanks, Mulerider93!

What's DFW/Mid-Cities?

Yeah, I've seen it go both ways with different people close to me. Obviously I've only experienced it one way, but I know it goes both. Unfortunately it seems the way to avoid it is to pretty much be a non-practicing Christian.

At any rate, it sounds like AR is like TN in this respect, but with more signs. (Although, come to think of it, East TN has got quite a few signs, too!)

[Mulerider93]

One's spiritual beliefs are tricky business in business. I don't hide my faith and if someone wants to talk about Jesus, I'm there. But, I don't ask, push, or start such conversations. I've found that if someone wants to know, they'll ask.

There are a lot of church billboards around here, come to think about it. hmm.

DFW/Mid-Cities = the Mid-Cities area of Dallas/Ft.Worth (Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, etc.)

--jcd

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by lethargicmayfly

Oh, I grew up in Medina TN...I'm prepared for that!
That's why I generally keep quiet unless someone directly asks, though. It's just a waste of time.


There's just so many billboards! Is there a group that just has that as their hobby?

I dont think you will find NWA any more gung ho religiously than Medina-Humboldt-Bradford or Trenton. Must be a culture shock going from Medina to Memphis

[Stormcrow73]

In my mind, the River Valley region is the Bible Belt of Arkansas. I don't think any other part of the state is as overtly religious as that area. I lived in Russellville for the cumulative total of 1.5 years and I was asked what church I went to more there than in about 9 years in Fayetteville. You sure can't judge NWA and Fayetteville by the Conway to Fort Smith I-40 corridor.

[Aporkalypse]

I'm not sure there is a more religious part of the country than NWA, but it is concentrated in pockets. Springdale and Siloam Springs in particular have that reputation. NWA also votes in this pattern. Jim Holt was hugely popular politically there because of the Jesus fish symbol on his campaign signs and stickers. Churches like First Baptist in Springdale have a tremendous political lobby.

I think it's more watered down in Benton Co because so many have relocated there from out of state and Fayetteville doesn't have an overly religious feel because it's a college town. In fact Fayetteville seems no different that way than any college town anywhere.