Pratt Kansas and religion (Weir: school, live, moving to)

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

The title of the thread specifically mentions Pratt. So I tailored my answer accordingly. If you want to live in a small town comfortably, you have to make the effort to fit in. In Smalltown, KS, that doesn't require converting, but it will require treading lightly and respectfully around religion and religious topics.

Oh, for the love of Pete. No one was taking you to task. Don't look for trouble where no one is trying to give it to you.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

If you want to live in a small town comfortably, you have to make the effort to fit in. In Smalltown, KS, that doesn't require converting, but it will require treading lightly and respectfully around religion and religious topics.

My standard response to the "where do you go to church?" question is "Thank you for asking, but I'm an atheist." How does that come in on the treading lightly and respectful meter?

[Sage44]

I am just so not used to all the hulabaloo about church! Seriously we have lived in many places most of which small towns in CA, OR, AZ and TX. I have never encountered this whole "you better go to church or else" kind of attitude, until we moved to TX, LOL.

We do get riled over it as I do feel it is rude and nosey of folks, I do not come to your house and ask what "sex position do you prefer, as JKK stated" that would be none of my biz and rude to do.

I want to live freely, you know not have to worry about treading lightly or hurting someones religious feelings. I do have friends that are christians and they are aware of my Wiccan background and love me anyway! But these folks seem to be the unusual not the norm for church goers.

Redbird, it is amazing to listen to them talk isn't it, and I agree that it's not a good topic for work.
I was a bit nervous about posting because I was afraid it would turn into a "my religion is better than yours" kind of deal, but thankfully you have all been very helpful!

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

Oh, for the love of Pete. No one was taking you to task. Don't look for trouble where no one is trying to give it to you.

I wasn't defending myself - I was just elaborating.

We are on the same page.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

My standard response to the "where do you go to church?" question is "Thank you for asking, but I'm an atheist." How does that come in on the treading lightly and respectful meter?

In a small town, to someone whose church is a major facet of life, such a response is likely to register slight shock, a pull-back of friendliness (due to his inability to relate to you) and possible gossip in the long-term.

Your response is not rude. But based on the OP's goal, I wouldn't recommend it. I'm not saying my suggestions are how everyone should respond in all cases. But I understood that the OP was trying to avoid this sort of thing and was asking how better to fit in to a small town.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by Sage44

I am just so not used to all the hulabaloo about church! Seriously we have lived in many places most of which small towns in CA, OR, AZ and TX. I have never encountered this whole "you better go to church or else" kind of attitude, until we moved to TX, LOL.

I expect you will find KS small towns slightly more tolerant than your TX experiences. Many of the small towns in that part of KS are predominantly Catholic, which tends to be a little more tolerant than the Southern Baptists in Smalltown, TX. At least less in-your-face-obnoxious about it.

But you will not find much acceptance of Wiccan spirituality. I'm not suggesting that you lie or hide your spirituality. You must be true to yourselves as a family. But you may want to keep it on the down low for a while as you make your way into the community. Let people get to know you as a warm, open, friendly family first.

[Sage44]

LOL!! yes I usually do not exploit my beliefs as much as I would like too but on the flip side I do not want to have to tread lightly. I just want to be me and taken as me, anywhere I have to "try" and fit in I want no part of. That is why this post, I am trying to get a feel for an area, I have never had to research this before but as I said it is a BIG deal here (in the south). People stop me on the street and say they pray for me cuz they do not see us in church???!! What the ....???!!! LOL
I do not want to be rude so I just say thanx..

There is so much more to life than religion in our family and we want to live somewhere we do not have to "try" due to religion.

Catholics aren't so bad, My S-I-L is a catholic, married my bro who is atheist LOL..I went to their church for their wedding, no one pushed or even asked us to join..they just treated us normal LOL as normal as possible!!

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by Sage44

LOL!! yes I usually do not exploit my beliefs as much as I would like too but on the flip side I do not want to have to tread lightly. I just want to be me and taken as me, anywhere I have to "try" and fit in I want no part of.

A move to any small town will require you to make some effort to fit in. Not necessarily because of religion, but just in general.

By "tread lightly" I just meant making an effort not to be rude about a belief system common to a majority of the town. It sounds like you already do that, so you should have no trouble.

One thing that is common in most small KS towns is a propensity for people to keep to themselves. So I doubt you will get strangers coming up to you to proselytize in Pratt.

I'm not worried for you Welcome to Kansas!

[Sage44]

Thank you so much! I look forward to a peaceful existance for me and my family.

[Darrow]

It's ok to say that's personal...