What if not Christian? (Charlotte, Raleigh: chapel, neighborhoods, living in)

[albinoazian]

My family is from the Carolina's, grandpa from south and grandma from the north and my dad was born there, but was an army brat. I still have family around Dallas and other areas. Anyhow, I am a Zen Buddhist leaning Atheist and wondering if any area like Asheville would at all be feasible? My father recently retired outside Austin, Texas from CA and has been having trouble adjusting to the heavy Christian society. Anyhow, not looking to rile folks up, just curious it is still highly devout like I hear from my family who is from there or have things changed?

[carolinablue]

Asheville is a very liberal city and from what I hear, very open. I would say you have nothing to worry about. I know many people who are of other religions, or dont attend church, I dont, and I sure dont get patronized for it.

Of course there will always be people who disapprove but not to the point where its overbearing.

[mm34b]

You should be find in the liberal areas of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill also.

[Bear Creek]

Asheville has about ten centers, [like the Zen Center of Asheville or the Dharma Center of Asheville]. There is a temple in Boone.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by mm34b

You should be find in the liberal areas of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill also.

I'd like to know where...lol. To be honest....unless you are Christian, I really think it's best to avoid all mention of religion around here.

I admit, this is the one thing I have not gotten used to about it down here. Love and adore everything else.....can not grasp the whole bible belt mentality.

[mm34b]

Carrboro
Piedmont Karma Thegsum Choling
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Zen Center
Durham
Shambhala Meditation Center
Raleigh
Piedmont Zen Group
Kadampa Center
Pittsboro
Brooks Branch Zendo

[Bull City Rising]

Originally Posted by mm34b

You should be find in the liberal areas of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill also.

Yeah, the Triangle and Asheville are probably the best two "fits" for this within the state. I'm sure there are areas of Charlotte (perhaps the neighborhoods nearer uptown?) but when I lived in suburban Charlotte there 9 years ago, I was definitely asked "where do you worship?" by lots of different people.

On the other hand, since living in Durham, I've only been asked twice whether I had a church and was looking, and it's always been in a warm and welcoming way. I have never seen anyone stigmatized here for not being of faith.

[RaleighRob]

Originally Posted by Bull City Rising

Yeah, the Triangle and Asheville are probably the best two "fits" for this within the state. I'm sure there are areas of Charlotte (perhaps the neighborhoods nearer uptown?) but when I lived in suburban Charlotte there 9 years ago, I was definitely asked "where do you worship?" by lots of different people.

On the other hand, since living in Durham, I've only been asked twice whether I had a church and was looking, and it's always been in a warm and welcoming way. I have never seen anyone stigmatized here for not being of faith.

I definitely agree with this too. (You'll get that "where do you worship" question alot in Winston-Salem too!)
The Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/ChapelHill/Carrboro) and Asheville (the city proper, not the suburbs) are definitely the two best places for you if you're of a non-Christian orientation.

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

I'd like to know where...lol. To be honest....unless you are Christian, I really think it's best to avoid all mention of religion around here.

I admit, this is the one thing I have not gotten used to about it down here. Love and adore everything else.....can not grasp the whole bible belt mentality.

I agree here, lived in Raleigh, we got asked where we worshipped and also asked too many times if we wanted to join, when we said no thank you, either they stopped talking to us or gave us a disapproving look. I think you would have better luck in Asheville.

[Trail Majic]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

I'd like to know where...lol. To be honest....unless you are Christian, I really think it's best to avoid all mention of religion around here.

I admit, this is the one thing I have not gotten used to about it down here. Love and adore everything else.....can not grasp the whole bible belt mentality.

Desdemona123,That is good advise. The less said sometimes is the best.