Eh, religion? (house, school, live)

[Magster]

In Eastern Tennessee, where there's a Baptist church on every corner, just how are two non-church-going retirees going to be viewed?
When we are asked what church we go to can we honestly answer none and that we don't plan on going to any? If we are invited to attend someone's church can we honestly explain that we are not interested without causing a major offense?
Are we going to be viewed as badpeople or will we be given the opportunity to prove we're pretty terrific despite that fact we have no interest in organized religion?
Weigh in please.

[insanesmooch]

I have rarely attended church and the subject has hardly ever come up. When my husband and I moved to our house in Northeast TN, our neighbor came over and told us her and her husband are missionaries. She never even asked us about church or told us about hers. About the only times I can remember being invited to church was when I was in school and friends wanted me to go to special things at their churches. Most of my family does not go to church and I've not had all that many friends go to church. At a previous job I had, we all had to work on Sunday so there weren't really any church goers there. Mind you, I am not a social butterfly so I don't know tons of people so maybe there is pressure out there, but I have never really felt it. Some people may bring up God or Jesus, but I've not known too many people who will pound you into the ground with it.
I've never had anyone say I was a bad person because I didn't go to church. Most people think I am so nice because I am so quiet and don't get into trouble.

[Mr. Bighead]

Unfortunately, I have lots and lots of experience with church-people. I was forced to go to an idiotic church while growing up, and I have no interest in it now. I've noticed that as I've gotten older (I'm almost 30), fewer people have tried to drag me to church. A young lady got me to go to church with her about a year ago. Heh. But she had alterior motives. So did I. Anyway, my story is beside the point...

Based on my church experience, it seems like church people mostly target poor people, families with children, or just the children themselves. If you don't have kids to bring to church with you, and you aren't poor and desperate enough to make the church-people feel sorry for you, they'll probably leave you alone. I think the reasons are obvious: If you're poor and desperate, or if you're a kid, it's much easier to coerce you into believing their bull****.

I think it's unlikely that you'll have any regular problem with church-people. I don't. You'll likely run into an inquisitive one occasionally, though. It largely depends on where you move and who your neighbors happen to be.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by Magster

In Eastern Tennessee, where there's a Baptist church on every corner, just how are two non-church-going retirees going to be viewed?
When we are asked what church we go to can we honestly answer none and that we don't plan on going to any? If we are invited to attend someone's church can we honestly explain that we are not interested without causing a major offense?
Are we going to be viewed as badpeople or will we be given the opportunity to prove we're pretty terrific despite that fact we have no interest in organized religion?
Weigh in please.

Well, I don't know for sure since I don't live there yet but I'm guessing no one will declare a jihad on you.