Atheists in Austin, and surrounding suburbs? (Dallas, San Antonio: preschool, living, best)

[jwb123]

I never saw any "hostility" towards organized religion there....

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I never saw any "hostility" towards organized religion there....

Really? In our high tech community in Seattle, if you routinely attended church services, you were automatically considered intellectually subpar, unless you are Unitarian and most Unitarians in the Pacific Northwest are agnostic or atheist.

[jwb123]

I don't know what "high tech community" you lived in - but we are also a "high tech" family and have lived IN Seattle and it's suburbs. As an atheist, I never heard of any hostility... frankly, people hardly even talk to each other in the PNW so I am not sure how the conversation would even GET to religion - lol

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Frankly, people hardly even talk to each other in the PNW so I am not sure how the conversation would even GET to religion - lol

Ha, that's largely true. We participated in several online communities where people probably felt more free to say in words what they wouldn't want to say to someone's face. The general consensus was that religion was for losers. My husband and I, while quite liberal in some areas, were offended by the general disdain for religion. It seemed quite intolerant for a group that considered themselves beacons of tolerance.

[TexasHorseLady]

Yeah, well, isn't it always the people who consider themselves beacons of intolerance who are the most intolerant and the least likely to acknowledge/recognize it in themselves?

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Yeah, well, isn't it always the people who consider themselves beacons of intolerance who are the most intolerant and the least likely to acknowledge/recognize it in themselves?

I'm confused, I lived in the PNW like Jenbar and I never encountered any anti-religious attitudes. I also worked in high tech. The went to a UCC church that was very involved in helping homeless which had issues because people didn't want homeless people in their neighborhood. That is a raging debate but and I not defending or promoting it. Just a fact.

I had plenty of friends that religious from all faiths and it was never an issue unless they we specifically looking for a religious private school. Sometimes they can be hard to find.

In Austin, I have found that the general attitude towards religion seems to be about the same. The only time I have had any issue was on Easter Sunday when all the stores were closed.... That was a new experience for me. Note to self, buy food before Easter next year :-)

[Lumerian Feast]

I've never had anybody in Austin give me crap about religion or not going to church. The Baptist church near me sometimes leaves fliers on my door, but I just throw them out with the rest of the unsolicited advertisements. I think there's very much a "mind your own business" ethic here, which I like. Very different from my college experience in the southeast, where people would confront you about whether you go to church, and tell you you're going to hell, and that they'll pray for you. It was very aggressive there; when I told people that I grew up Catholic, it seemed like that was almost as bad as being a Satan worshipper. Now if someone asks I just use Harold Bloom's line and tell them I'm an "agnostic sect of one." That normally baffles them long enough for me to get away.

[Liza54]

I'm so happy you asked about the religious thing. I relocated to Raleigh, NC from San Diego a year ago and was unpleasantly suprised about the same...people asking what church we belong to, etc. I know it's the south, but I thought there were too many transplants here now. I studied Wicca, but wouldn't mention that around here. We would love to go back to Socal, but can't afford it by a long shot. I did hear Austin had a more hippie, liberal vibe. It is very important to me that my daughter ( not old enuf yet for school ) is NOT bombarded w/ the God/ Jesus thang. I guess I, too, will look in SW Austin in hopes of a more open minded feel. Perhaps Texas is still to conservative a place for us to move afterall?! I saw " complaints" that it was turning into a "little California"....let's hope so!

[Mike78613]

It is a lot more "Christian" out here - seems like everyone goes to church on the weekends, more often than not has their child in a religious preschool, etc, etc. I definitely feel the presence of the influence of a strong religious presence - let me put it this way. My oldest (1st grade) goes to a public elementary school, but comes home full of questions about what the Bible is and Jesus Christ and all of that - not from his teacher, but from all his friends on the playground.

Those kids that talk to yours are wonderful kids. Parents must be proud!

-But I know it probably gets annoying @ times.
IMHO, Austin is no Bible Belt.

[Mike78613]

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..... The only exception is our very good friends that live next door (they were in our wedding) and they go to a unitarian church. My wife has gone with them on occasion, but also goes to the Lutheran or Catholic chursh. Frankly, to her it depends on where the singing is best.....

Does your wife like gospel?