Liberal Atheist in Oklahoma City (Howe: home, living, stats) - City-Data Forum

terveloc · 02-13-2009, 02:59 PM

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.

Goodpasture · 02-13-2009, 03:45 PM

I assume you are a guy.....(all a woman has to do is show up with a six pack of long necks and she will find six friends real quick)......so, you might consider learning the difference between Skoal and Copenhagen, hang out at the live stock barn during the fair, get a pair of good boots and a belt with your name on it, don't talk politics or religion (if someone asks, either tell them "daddy told me to never talk politics or religion" or "does it matter? can't trust any of them"--that applies to both politics AND religion), learn some boomer sooner stats, pick up some shirts with pearl snaps, and you should be good to go.......oh yeah, practice grinning and saying "howdy, ma'am" ...........just ask Heather if that doesn't work...........

happytown · 02-13-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

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.

What part of OKC are you hanging out at? Many open minded individuals reside around the Paseo district/Asian district area. It all depends on where you are in the city. Its over 600 sq. miles. Check out OKCtalk to find out more info.

terveloc · 02-13-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happytown

What part of OKC are you hanging out at? Many open minded individuals reside around the Paseo district/Asian district area. It all depends on where you are in the city. Its over 600 sq. miles. Check out OKCtalk to find out more info.

@happytown: Yeah, the Paseo and the Asian districts are my favorite parts of the city. However, I don't really hang out anywhere because I still, after more than a year, know hardly anyone. I'm looking for a few places to go where I could potentially meet people where it wouldn't be weird for me to be alone. I've played the bar scene around here and haven't been impressed (and I've been all over). I met a crazy old man from Rhode Island once...and a couple of guys who turned out to be serious racists...but beyond that, pretty much nothing.

I live in North OKC b/c of its proximity to work. It's very suburbany, but I know this area better than any other. Where are some good spots in the Paseo area?

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.

mjm572 · 02-13-2009, 06:45 PM

Read the Gazette. It's my salvation when I visit home for extended periods of time (Live in NYC now).

terveloc · 02-13-2009, 07:33 PM

@mjm: Cool. I will. Thanks for the advice.

azriverfan. · 02-13-2009, 09:34 PM

Oklahoma is religously conservative. I couldn't tell you how many times I had people telling me that I needed to go to Church to be saved. There are so many Baptists there. There was also a lot of anti-Islam and Middle East sentiment. I also remember how one of my colleagues was Mormon, and he used have people question his religion and accuse him of not being a Christian. I live in Phoenix and we have a lot of Mormons here. The Mormons are also conservative but unlike the Baptists, are respectful and don't tell people they need to be saved. That's not going to change there because it's a part of their culture.

terveloc · 02-13-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Oklahoma is religously conservative. I couldn't tell you how many times I had people telling me that I needed to go to Church to be saved. There are so many Baptists there. There was also a lot of anti-Islam and Middle East sentiment. I also remember how one of my colleagues was Mormon, and he used have people question his religion and accuse him of not being a Christian. I live in Phoenix and we have a lot of Mormons here. The Mormons are also conservative but unlike the Baptists, are respectful and don't tell people they need to be saved. That's not going to change there because it's a part of their culture.

I think what I hate the most is how people around here use religion as a proxy for morality. Honestly, I think most people around here think that non-Christians are not to be trusted. That's so frustrating. Atheism is such a taboo around here. It's totally misunderstood. I do not need the threat of repercussion from God to treat people with dignity, or to have a strong sense of integrity. Christians who think a person needs the wrath and/or guidance of God to be a decent, trustworthy person need to take a deep look at the basis of their own morality.

I once told somebody here in OKC that I was an atheist and she covered my mouth as if to say, "You surely don't mean that. You can't say that here."

happytown · 02-14-2009, 06:30 AM

Tervoloc, I certainly wouldnt throw this on just OKC. Its all of OKLAHOMA. Take my advice and question your problems with a site called Moderator cut: Please don't link to competitor sites

Synopsis · 02-14-2009, 06:41 AM

I have a friend that is Agnostic who is really one of the most ethical people that I have ever met. So no, you should not be treated as if you aren't to be trusted.