Atheists in Austin, and surrounding suburbs? (Temple, Atlanta: new home, school, living in)

[jread]

You may want to talk to the folks here: http://www.atheist-community.org/

I'm basically an Atheist and have never felt uncomfortable in Austin. Just as nobody cares about your race/sexuality, they don't care about your religion either. I live in South Austin and it isn't very "churchy" from my experience. Now, the suburbs (especially Williamson Count) are an entirely different story.


BTW, I STRONGLY disagree about the suburbs being good for children, but I'm not going to hijack this thread for that rant.

[tashina]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I am not an athiest, but not a regular church goer, either. I live in SW Austin, and reading this I started thinking about it, and I have no idea if any of my neighbors go to church, and if they do, where. Now, I don't avoid my neighbors, in fact, we get along great, it just has never come up.....

I don't have kids, but I'll second the above (If you were going to label me something, I suppose pagan would be the closest). I've lived in Oak Hill for close to 2 years and I don't remember anyone ever asking me about religion. (Some religious people came to the door once and I bet they were gonna ask me, but I didn't open the door ). I'm a California girl and the SW Austin people seem friendlier and not any nosier than Californians.

[categ]

Since moving to NW Austin (suburbia) from the UK, I have had numerous comments from fellow mums that to "fit in" & to find a social network, my family need to find a church to attend.

And I have been regularly asked which church I go to.

Though in the local elementary school, my first grader has very quickly learned form her classmates about other religions.

[pegfish]

Is it possible for libral leaning Atheists to be comfortable Anywhere,USA? I have a friend that was taking a religion class @ the local (Ashland,Kentucky) Community College. The students in the class put together a "meditation garden" in the commons area. The Baptist Club was offended and had it taken out. They stated that the Budda was the devil;at least they're consistant with the misinformation from state to state! As far as my children go I teach them to respect others beliefs. I am their guide to what religion is. They know they have a choice to believe as they wish, regardless of what the majority "does". I hope you find comfort in where you are.

[love roses]

I'm a lifelong Baptist and haven't heard anyone freak about meditation, or a garden for such. Although, if I went to the meditation garden and quietly prayed to myself, I wouldn't want anyone making fun of me for it. But, being quiet about it, they probably wouldn't know what I was doing anyway. I was always brought up, even in church, not to attack anyone for believing other than I did. Living in Williamson County, as I do, It is very church heavy in several religions, but, at least in my neighborhood, noone ever just assumes you go to church, and don't think they would have a problem either way. Some of that stigma is a little old now, as this area is growing quite a bit, and the number of native Williamson County Residents dwindles in comparison to the transplants.

[jwb123]

Well, about 4-5 months later - and living in the suburbs (Williamson County, Round Rock) we still have not had a single problem, or issue...

[mrsengle]

My neighbor and good friend from California asked what church we went to, and since we don't attend on a regular basis, she invited us to go to her church. I politely declined, and that was that.

We don't have children (yet), but I do believe if my child came home and told me I was going to hell for meditating, there would be a problem. Growing up in Texas, religion was never something that was talked about on the playground. And even though I went to Sunday school and youth group, we never heard about the word 'hell,' and we certainly weren't taught that other religions were 'bad.'

I wonder if it's always been that way in this area.

[gigi927]

Originally Posted by categ

Since moving to NW Austin (suburbia) from the UK, I have had numerous comments from fellow mums that to "fit in" & to find a social network, my family need to find a church to attend.

Wow. I find that shocking, completely incorrect and actually rude that other moms would say that to you. I have not had one person ask me what church I attend and I have made tons of friends without attending a single church service. By way of context, I am not an atheist, just more taking a break from formal church services for a short bit while my kids are little. I have plenty of friends who are either atheist or agnostic as well as religious and am really open minded about that stuff. I guess that's why it's so disappointing to hear that people are saying that sort of stuff to you when you're a newcomer here.

While church certainly can help with finding a social network, it's not required to fit in or have friends here. I'd keep away from any moms that are that condescending about religion and look for other opportunities to meet people!

[jwb123]

but I do believe if my child came home and told me I was going to hell for meditating, there would be a problem.

I just reread my original post, and I wasn't initially clear - the incident on the playground happened in WA, a suburb of Seattle - NOT Texas. We haven't had one run-in, comment, or situation in which we felt uncomfortable or uneasy, in this regard.


Now, driving around on non-Texas plates, that's a whole other discussion!

[love roses]

Yeah, that licence plate thing...I agree! Except that I got that for being a Texan in Colorado.