Is Atlanta....'churchy'? (Marietta, Smyrna, Montgomery: suburbs, car, business)

[City Fanatic]

Originally Posted by ArthursChoice

You knew it was coming...here we go.
The only thing anyone needs to be "saved" from is fear, superstition and ignorance.

So you've been to the afterlife? How can they be any more ignorant than you?

[ArthursChoice]

your religious buffoonery?

Originally Posted by City Fanatic

So you've been to the afterlife? How can they be any more ignorant than you?

[BringBackCobain]

One thing that is interesting about Atlanta's churchiness is its orientation towards evangelical faiths. Of course, its in the south so this is completely expected, but I think there is an increasing amount of religious diversity, although not enough for such a huge metropolitan area.

Also, it was interesting growing up in Atlanta as a Catholic. It was so predictable that virtually every Catholic was either from up north or thier parents were. Also, out of all the protestants I have met (which is a lot), I noticed that many of the evangelical ones (methodists and baptists) were never from up north (always native southerners), had steretypes about Catholics, and always looked at me as somewhat of an "outsider" when I told them my religion... or sometimes even said that I worship Mary or statues or something. Yet I never got that reaction from Presbyterians, the 3rd major protestant group in atlanta, and I think that has to do with them not being evangelical, although im not entirely sure.

My junior year of college I took a class on religion in the south and my teacher said that the Catholic populations in sunbelt, historically protestant cities like Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are rapidly increasing due to hispanic immigrants and northerner transplants. It will be interesting to see if it keeps increasing, but I can imagine that some people who still consider Catholics "papists" are none too happy to be witnessing this.

[Saintmarks]

Here is a different point of view:

I enjoy a dialogue about matters of faith, with those who share my views and with ones that differ. There is a place and time where those can be discussed without negative or defensive attitudes present.

As for overall religious persuasion, Atlanta and the South are and have been primarily evangelical protestant. The word Evangelical is based on the word "evangel" translated "the gospel" translated "good news." When someone has good news they share it. Evangelicals see verses like Jesus' final words before his assension to heaven "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...." as marching orders.

Based on this fact, why are people surprised that Evangelicals will strike up a religious conversation? It is part of their belief system, their creed as it were.

My surprise is that so many here claim to never have been asked what their religious view are since they came to Atlanta. That shows me that Atlanta has changed even more than I thought.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

One thing that is interesting about Atlanta's churchiness is its orientation towards evangelical faiths. Of course, its in the south so this is completely expected, but I think there is an increasing amount of religious diversity, although not enough for such a huge metropolitan area.

Also, it was interesting growing up in Atlanta as a Catholic. It was so predictable that virtually every Catholic was either from up north or thier parents were. Also, out of all the protestants I have met (which is a lot), I noticed that many of the evangelical ones (methodists and baptists) were never from up north (always native southerners), had steretypes about Catholics, and always looked at me as somewhat of an "outsider" when I told them my religion... or sometimes even said that I worship Mary or statues or something. Yet I never got that reaction from Presbyterians, the 3rd major protestant group in atlanta, and I think that has to do with them not being evangelical, although im not entirely sure.

My junior year of college I took a class on religion in the south and my teacher said that the Catholic populations in sunbelt, historically protestant cities like Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are rapidly increasing due to hispanic immigrants and northerner transplants. It will be interesting to see if it keeps increasing, but I can imagine that some people who still consider Catholics "papists" are none too happy to be witnessing this.

I grew up near Emory Universit/a Methodist school and it seemed to me that there was little discussion of religion of an evangelical nature within the community. People went to church--exercised religious freedom and might mention activities that they participated in at a church but it always seemed a 'private' matter. This area included Protestants, Catholics, Jews and many other beliefs.

It's true--John Wesley, founder of Methodism, played a key role in the development of the city of Savannah in the new colony of Georgia.

FWIW. Those released from English debtors prisons to colonize Georgia were to be productive--and the use of alcohol would have been considered a waste of time and talents.

ETA: I don't know a great deal about the Presbyterians but I do know that the religion originated in Scotland with John Calvin. There was a large Catholic population in Scotland/having been at odds with the Church of England, etc.

Many had to leave Scotland after Culloden/1743 and worked their way from the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas to the mountains of NC, the Highlanders at least. IIRC, Presbyterians shared some Celtic history with the Catholic church.

[coolyfett]

Originally Posted by City Fanatic

Church is social, but that isn't its only purpose. Its purpose is to inform people of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that individuals might be saved.

Thanks...I guess.

[coolyfett]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

And this is where everyone realizes we're not talking to a rational person. End of my participation in the "discussion".

Awww come on Pless!!!! Don't punk out....

*beating on desk in "We Will Rock You" rhythm*

We Want Pless!

We Want Pless!

We Want Pless!

We Want Pless!

[City Fanatic]

Originally Posted by ArthursChoice

your religious buffoonery?

What do you think of Don Piper and his experience in Heaven? He was dead for ninety minutes, and he testifies to seeing Heaven.

[flynaebirdy]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

I've never been asked about church in Atlanta...

me neither, and I lived there for 9 years.

Atlanta isn't churchy if you are in a bar.....
it depends on where you are...
if you hang out in front of church buildings....someone's prob. gonna ask...lol. This is a very strange dialogue, I am wondering how many people who posted actually have any experience in the south. i lived in PA and found it more churchy than memphis, atlanta, savannah, nashville or birmingham.

[Akhenaton06]

Atlanta has plenty enough churches for the church-goers, but not to the point where the church culture feels overwhelming to the non church-goers. That's my take on it as a frequent visitor to the city anyway.