Pratt Kansas and religion (college, farmers, Walmart)

[Sage44]

I like that...that's personal. So you folks have obviously lived where being polite but firm has not caused issues. I do believe we could get "stoned" where we are at because we do not attend a church.

************************************************** ************************
Religion is for people that believe in Hell..
Spirituality is for people who have already been there.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by Sage44

I like that...that's personal. So you folks have obviously lived where being polite but firm has not caused issues.

Well, again though, when moving to any small town, such a response might make you appear stand-off-ish, secretive or if taken the wrong way, rude, which is not the first impression you want to make if you plan to stay long. It will also start the gossip mill going.

You could just shrug and say, "We're new to the area, where do you go?" This makes no statement at all about you and again, puts the ball back in their court allowing you to gauge how open you want to be with them.

I don't think you will encounter the kind of pushiness that you have described. But if one or two people do get pushy later on, you will have already established plenty of acquaintances who will know and defend you as a perfectly friendly family.

Just my two cents ...

[Darrow]

Another response is "Why do you ask?" If they are bold enough to continue I would then say "the Mormons in my family think their church is the only true one." "The Catholics in my family think the Lutherans are going to Hell, and the Lutherans won't commune with anyone outside their Synod....so I'm reluctant to discuss it." or I smile and say "Christ's church is invisible."

It's an issue I relate to you on - am sick of it. My parents are not the same faith and it stinks...both sides of the family hammered me and my sister to a point that my sis has never attended or belonged to a church as an adult and I am up to my neck sick of it. Like you, would rather not engage in that discussion - I would rather be judged as stand-off-ish, secretive or rude than endure someone's religious crusade.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by Darrow

I would rather be judged as stand-off-ish, secretive or rude than endure someone's religious crusade.

But I understood the OP to say that she did not want this for her family. She has a 5 yo daughter who will be attending school and kids can be mean. Especially kids of parents who don't like your parents.

I understand your position. But it was this kind of chip on the shoulder to which I was referring earlier. If you want to make a small town like Pratt, KS your home, and if you want to make and keep friends, jobs, etc., then it takes some effort on your part to "fit in".

Most of the people in Pratt who will ask about what church you are going to will be asking out of benign curiosity. They don't really care, they are just making conversation and trying to get to know you. If you react defensively, or pop back with something they take as being rude, then you will have lost that connection immediately as well as sparked gossip.

"Hey, did you meet the new neighbors?"
"Yeah. I went over to introduce myself and the guy bit my head off about going to church! Weird ... "

"Hey, did you meet the new neighbors?"
"No, but my sister's husband said they are weird ..."

... and so it goes.

If this is something you wish to avoid, it is pretty easy.

[Darrow]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

If this is something you wish to avoid, it is pretty easy.

You're right, I was just sounding off. I wish it wasn't an issue. Honestly I don't care and would never ask someone off the cuff what religion they were, but I'm not from Pratt so I shouldn't even be spouting off...the thread is interesting tho and you have provided good ideas.

[geekychick]

Have a good friend that lived in Pratt. He definitely was not a church go-er and did just fine. There are alot of people in small towns that do not go to church. I lived in a even smaller town and did not go for several years...nobody ever treated me different. I do not think they cared. There were alot of people that just went on the Holidays. This town was south of Pratt.
I will say the Baptists are all about recruitment.. and they are probably the ones that give you the most trouble. The Methodists, Catholics and Lutherans were all really nice.

The poster above is correct... mostly people in small town ask just out of curiousity. Some ask because they want to "recruit" you. If those people act standoffish.. well then that is a good thing.

[pvlman]

When considering any place it couldn't hurt to inquire about what volunteer service

oriented

groups there are in the community. No doubt there may be some (many?) faith based groups on the list, with luck, the Red Cross or other secular groups will be on the list as well. Could be a way to express

interest

in the

community

and a

willingness

to serve Just a thought, with no idea as how to it

actually

would pan out.

[pvlman]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

.

If this is something you wish to avoid, it is pretty easy.

Yes it should be easy to avoid, but...

Anything

less than a genuinely

enthusiastic

response, may be considered

weird

by some. Repeated declinations of

invitations

, can't go over very well at all either. Sigh...

[Sage44]

I can see all have good points to ponder and ideas.
My stand is I am closer to 50 than 40, I feel I am too old to have to "fit in" somewhere, so just avoid it all together. I shouldn't have to step on eggshells in a new town, I am nice but I will not be tolerant of pushy religious folks either. My path is different, their path is not to judge, but they do. I have people in my own family so thick into baptist that they think I am going to hell and tell me so, LOL. Very sad...
Anyway I sure do appreciate all the help on this post!

[geekychick]

I know Pratt really well. I think you will be just fine. They have all kinds of believers there. Just be careful as the poster said above. Some of the Baptists will not be friendly if they can't get you "signed up."