Liberal Atheist in Oklahoma City (Tulsa, Norman: fit in, high school, college)

[stiffnecked]

Why don't you just pack your bags and move to someplace where like minded people live? As smart as you say you are you should have known that Oklahoma is extremely conservative. You can't move to a new place and expect them to change there moral compass to accept and accomodate your beliefs. I, personally disagree with Mormon theology. Therefore I won't move to Utah or southern Idaho. Why torment myself?

You probably should have used your superior intellect and done a little more research into moving to Oklahoma. Then you would have realized this isn't the spot for you!

[J1ndo]

Perhaps you might try volunteering. It's too late to work for the Obama campaign (a great way to have met like-minded people) but there has to be something else going on that needs your efforts.

I'm really liberal (by OK standards) too, but I've been lucky to have made a few friends here, some liberal some not. I also got called a commie, but I never let that stand. A sense of humor and a tireless pursuit of the last word helped a lot. I don't fancy I changed any minds, but I like to think I made it too much of a hassle to toss a thoughtless political remark my way.

[terveloc]

@ Synopsis: I completely appreciate the intent of your statement, so please do not take what I am about to say personally:

Statements like "I have a friend who is Agnostic who is really one of the most ethical people that I have ever met" demonstrate the extent to which the acceptability of discrimination on the basis of religion has been institutionalized. Imagine if, instead of "Agnostic," you had said "black," "Muslim," "Jewish," or "homosexual." Swapping these words with "Agnostic," renders your statement instantly recognizable as controversial. It is fairly universally recognized that a statement such as "I'm not a racist. I have black friends." is no longer a compelling defense. However, it is still acceptable within the institution of American society to make, innocently, such statements about Agnosticism and Atheism. And, again, I plead with Synopsis that this is in no way a personal attack against Synopsis. I know that he was genuinely acting in my defense.

My point is, while, as a society, we have made many inroads of progress that reach out to Women, racial minorities, homosexuals, etc., it still remains acceptable to hate a person on the basis of religion, whether the person's lifestyle is peaceful or not.

[terveloc]

@J1ndo: Hey. Yeah. I've thought about volunteering or joining clubs. I have a good friend (who, ironical to this conversation, is a very conservative republican) who moved to a new place and knew nobody. He said he joined a club of Jeep owners and has met many people through that. I should try something like that.

[terveloc]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

Why don't you just pack your bags and move to someplace where like minded people live? As smart as you say you are you should have known that Oklahoma is extremely conservative. You can't move to a new place and expect them to change there moral compass to accept and accomodate your beliefs. I, personally disagree with Mormon theology. Therefore I won't move to Utah or southern Idaho. Why torment myself?

You probably should have used your superior intellect and done a little more research into moving to Oklahoma. Then you would have realized this isn't the spot for you!

While your patronizing tone and "we don't take kindly..." demeanor are duly noted, the essence of your point is still valid. So:

I honestly thought Oklahoma City would be more cosmopolitan. Cosmopolitan is probably a bad word around here too...but what I mean by it is that I thought there would be large pockets of many many types of people. While the city is slowly going in that direction, as all cities do as they grow, it is still not quite there.

And you're right. Maybe I should have just picked up and left. However, the nature of my job makes it difficult to do that in all but certain times of the year. But also, if anything, dissenting opinion makes my work more challenging and rewarding than it would be if everybody simply agreed with me. I'm just looking for a balance; a refuge for my personal life.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by terveloc

@ Synopsis: I completely appreciate the intent of your statement, so please do not take what I am about to say personally:

Statements like "I have a friend who is Agnostic who is really one of the most ethical people that I have ever met" demonstrate the extent to which the acceptability of discrimination on the basis of religion has been institutionalized. Imagine if, instead of "Agnostic," you had said "black," "Muslim," "Jewish," or "homosexual." Swapping these words with "Agnostic," renders your statement instantly recognizable as controversial. It is fairly universally recognized that a statement such as "I'm not a racist. I have black friends." is no longer a compelling defense. However, it is still acceptable within the institution of American society to make, innocently, such statements about Agnosticism and Atheism. And, again, I plead with Synopsis that this is in no way a personal attack against Synopsis. I know that he was genuinely acting in my defense.

My point is, while, as a society, we have made many inroads of progress that reach out to Women, racial minorities, homosexuals, etc., it still remains acceptable to hate a person on the basis of religion, whether the person's lifestyle is peaceful or not.

No offense taken. I just wanted to point out that I have an Agnostic friend who is 100% trustworthy in every way. People should not judge others because of religion or lack thereof.

I appreciate my friend very much; he is a TRUE friend. For someone to stereotype those who don't buy into religion of any kind are hypocritical (again, in my opinion).

People that aren't religious in any manner are not the target of any type of hate or disdain from me. To each their own.

I believe in Christ as the true Savior. However, Christ also spoke of tolerance and love for all people. Jesus was an exceptional being, and our Lord; tolerant, and loving of everyone.

He loves anyone and everyone regardless. I feel the same way. I believe that TRUE Christians all feel the same way.

[terveloc]

@ synopsis: Thank you. I respect that a lot. And I agree with you completely about the tolerance of true Christians. I have read the Bible, and I agree with the vast majority of its teachings. It's a wonderful book. As I said, theology is fascinating to me. Also, I think it is the corruptions of man that cause the pure intent of many religious books (the Quran included, which I've also read) to manifest in the cultural doctrines that they sometimes do.

Matthew 7:1-5.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by terveloc

@ synopsis: Thank you. I respect that a lot. And I agree with you completely about the tolerance of true Christians. I have read the Bible, and I agree with the vast majority of its teachings. It's a wonderful book. As I said, theology is fascinating to me. Also, I think it is the corruptions of man that cause the pure intent of many religious books (the Quran included, which I've also read) to manifest in the cultural doctrines that they sometimes do.

Matthew 7:1-5.

I could not agree more terveloc. My religion isn't based on hate by any means, and I will not call out any other religion either. It is not my place. Christ is about loving, not hating.

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.


Regards

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by terveloc

I moved to Oklahoma City over a year ago for work. I moved here after living on the East Coast for many years. While I enjoy my job most days, I have had a *terrible* time here socially.

As the title of this thread indicates, I am quite liberal and, while I think theology is fascinating, I am myself an atheist.

Even worse, although I am young (early 20s), it seems like many many of the people I meet here who are my own age are very religious, conservative, anti-intellectual (or just poorly educated), and even married.

Is there any place for a young single person like myself to go in Oklahoma City where I might not be instantly judged upon exposition of my beliefs?


People called me a communist for voting for Obama. Seriously, guys? Has it come to this?


I've never had so much trouble making friends in my life.

I haven't read all the responses but this is my take, as a Pagan Liberal:

I find it easy to meet people with similar interests to mine. Perhaps not on the spiritual side, but I have plenty of other interests that I have in common with others.

My "religion" never comes up because I am of the opinion that this is a private thing. I also realize that being in the buckle of the bible belt, there are more Christians than non Christians. No big deal.

So, I suggest you open your mind and outlook on life and try and find some common ground. I, too, lived in the North East before I moved dow here and can honestly say that the people here are much more genuinine than the Yankees.

Give it a try. You'll like it.

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by terveloc

Also @ Goodpasture: While bonfires, shooting guns, playing football, and drinking beer are a hell of a lot of fun, my education and ideologies are an inseparable part of me. I love knowledge, and want to find people who spend a lot of time thinking. I can't pretend to be something I'm not. And, while I played sports growing up and even at the collegiate level, these days I care a lot more about science and books than I do about Boomer Sooner football. I am definitely not Sooner Born and Sooner Bred.

These things are not mutually exclusive. I know some extremely intelligent, highly educated Okies.

Sounds to me you are suffering from the Yankee syndrome.