How religious is Pittsburgh (Philadelphia, York: 2009, live in, suburbs)

[mattjd]

Originally Posted by Tinare

I can't speak to the muslim community, but the Hindu community is indeed strong in Pittsburgh. There are three sizable Hindu temples in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, the most visible being the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Penn Hills. It's the big white one you can see on the hill from the Parkway East.

Pittsburgh Hindu Temples - Venkateswara Temple, Penn Hills

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I'll trust you on that one. I haven't stepped foot in Penn Hills since 1993. I kind of feel bad for those Hindus now.

[fleetiebelle]

it does not feel smothering/preachy/bible thumping/hypocritical as it did to me living in the South, Midwest, or especially Utah.

Right, Pittsburgh may have a Catholic church on every corner (and it is fish fry season) but most of the time you won't be asked "what church do you go to?" as a matter of course.

[Awesomo.2000]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

Right, Pittsburgh may have a Catholic church on every corner (and it is fish fry season) but most of the time you won't be asked "what church do you go to?" as a matter of course.

I visited friends that lived in Idaho Falls, Id. Every time they met a neighbor they would be asked if they were "part of the church" If they weren't they were pretty much shunned. I'm no different though. I won't speak to my neighbor since they are not members of the Church of the flying speghetti monster.

[Jay_F]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

Right, Pittsburgh may have a Catholic church on every corner (and it is fish fry season) but most of the time you won't be asked "what church do you go to?" as a matter of course.

That is one of the first "feel you out" questions I got living where I mentioned, and a real nice way to already form an opinion (usually negative) should you not supply the "correct" answer. Hell, I had an older lady come up to pay for an automotive bill at a dealership I worked for in IN, look me in the face and say "you look dishonest. Obviously she was not well versed in the subtle, attractive qualities of us swarthy "Eyetowelyin" type folks, and obviously the victim of seeing the Godfather too many times.

Originally Posted by awesomo2000returns

I visited friends that lived in Idaho Falls, Id. Every time they met a neighbor they would be asked if they were "part of the church" If they weren't they were pretty much shunned. I'm no different though. I won't speak to my neighbor since they are not members of the Church of the flying speghetti monster.

Same here. While my wife and I were unloading a moving van in Orem, a group of 5 men approached to "welcome" us to the neighborhood. The welcome seemed short, and they departed quickly after figuring out we were not part of the gang, never to be seen again. Right neighborly, and not because we didn't try our best to be friendly, accommodating, and understanding of the climate. My favorite was seeing a fella with a very long shopping list/full cart of booze at the UT state store being a straw buyer for the less virtuous hypocrites... Local folks called them "Jack Mormons".

Nice reference to Dawkins, a man who IMO profoundly gets it, and mirrors my own lifelong philosophy.

[mattjd]

Originally Posted by Jay_F

Nice reference to Dawkins, a man who IMO profoundly gets it, and mirrors my own lifelong philosophy.

You can't possibly be as pretentious as Dawkins, can you? Do you believe in a flying Chicken Parmesan monster too?

[Awesomo.2000]

Originally Posted by mattjd

You can't possibly be as pretentious as Dawkins, can you? Do you believe in a flying Chicken Parmesan monster too?

The flying speghetti monster is just a joke. Nobody really believes in it. It is just a ironic symbol of how rediculous religions can get.

Like Trey Parker the writer of south park said, you have people who believe what Scientologist believe to be waaaaayyyy out there and mock them, but the basis of their religion is just as absurd.

[Jay_F]

Originally Posted by mattjd

You can't possibly be as pretentious as Dawkins, can you? Do you believe in a flying Chicken Parmesan monster too?

Lecturing me to "think", when you are the one who believes the "Flying Spaghetti Monster" is genuine?... Think metaphor.



Kind of delicious irony don't you think? Show a little respect and tolerance, and I think you'll find there's room for all of us.

[Awesomo.2000]

Originally Posted by Jay_F

Lecturing me to "think", when you are the one who believes the "Flying Spaghetti Monster" is genuine?... Think metaphor.



Kind of delicious irony don't you think? Show a little respect and tolerance, and I think you'll find there's room for all of us.

If there is a God, this guy is proof that he has one twisted and awesome sense of humor!

[highway29south]

Pittsburgh is quite Catholic. Actually, it's to the point that people assume you are catholic and you have to say you are not. I do not live in the city and so I'm not near any other religious groups. I attend a Christian church so I'm kind of the odd guy out around my neighborhood. But there are a number of people here that also do not believe or believe and don't go to church.

[Mr. Mon]

Originally Posted by highway29south

Pittsburgh is quite Catholic. Actually, it's to the point that people assume you are catholic and you have to say you are not. I do not live in the city and so I'm not near any other religious groups. I attend a Christian church ...

And the Catholic church your neighbors attend would be...?


Metro Pittsburgh has one of the highest church attendance rates in the country. However, with Catholics and Presbyterians being the primary Christian sects so don't expect to experience 'Bible-beating" by your new neighbors.