Are atheists welcome in Texas (Houston, Dallas: to live, mold, moving to)

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

You know what is cracking me up about this whole thing and I've seen it in many other threads of the same nature. All of this talk about avoiding small towns in Texas as they will be VERY religious. HA!!!!!!! Sorry folks, drive thru some of these small towns on a Sunday morning and you will see more people at the local beer/wine and liquor stores than you will at the small local church. I've been in enough of them to know. For example, the small lil church (baptist) that my mil goes to is so small that if they had 30 people on one day they would not have enough pews to sit them. But drive past the 10+ beer stores, liquor stores, VFW hall, gambling hall, etc and the parking lots are packed. Even in the little neighborhood she lives in there are only two of them that go to church. Shoot, when my family went to visit my grandfathers little country church in a podunk small East Texas town w/ the 6 of us "visitors" we practically doubled their attendance that Sunday. No lie. So please stop all of this nonsense that all small Texas towns are full of religious people, it ain't so.

Same goes w/ even here in the metroplex. Growing up I hardly ever knew anyone else that went to church. If you even brought it up to your friends at school you would be made fun of. At least now my kids can openly say they go to church and not face judgement like what used to go on. Still, I'd say the majority of my neighbors do NOT attend church.

This is coming from someone w/ experience and having lived in Texas for all of my 40+ years. Being that you don't believe in God is not going to make you some freak of nature down here. Just don't go around telling people that they are wrong, ignorant, stupid or whatever if they do believe in God and/or attend church. Oh yeah, don't get offended if when you ask them to do something on Sunday and they can't. Just respect them and they will respect you.

There are still 40+ counties in Texas that are DRY (no alcohol).... so it can't be the case all over, that more people are in bars than in church.

Liquor stores are CLOSED on Sunday. It's the law! You can't order an alcoholic drink in a restaurant on Sunday between 10 and noon unless food is served with it. You can't buy beer until noon on Sunday. These laws are all because "they" think you should be in *church* on Sunday or at least not boozin' it up!

So, if you're witnessing alcohol sales on Sunday mornings in Texas, you're probably witnessing the law being broken.

I'm not quite as old, but at 35, having grown up in Texas and having family that are Texans for generations back (all from small towns), I think my understanding of things based on experience has just as much validity.

I grew up in a small town on the Texas coast with more churches than restaurants or schools. Church and football was all that mattered. This is the same experience my family has had (and continues to have, those that still live in small towns).

I'm in San Antonio and haven't had religion forced down my throat, BUT I still have learned to ignore the "I'll pray for you" and "God Bless you" from a large percentage of the people I come in contact with regularly. I don't get huffy about it or anything, I just smile and go on my way.



This is not some unheard of thing though, the idea of small town Texas and religion being linked!

[kawgpz550]

Hey, I think Mr. Drysdale is just having a little fun maybe? Maybe he's serious, however has anyone else noticed he has only had 2 posts on this whole board? He only started this thread and has never posted on here again.
If he is serious with his question, great, I think he has his answer...however, if he's just trying to start a big religious debate, let's not give him the satisafaction.

[songinthewind7]

Do witch burnings still occur?
Okay, I have lived in Texas for almost 4 years. The first couple of years were spent in San Antonio. The majority of the population was Mexican and Catholic. Nobody really seemed to care what I did which is good because I am not a churchgoer, even though I was raised (gag) southern baptist. I now live in a small town. I am asked everyday if I have found a church home. When I come up with an answer like, nature is my church or something like that, I get a strange look and stupid comments on how I will be prayed for. If these "christians" would stop forcing garb down peoples throats, and wanting money all the time, the world would be a better place. I saw a bumper sticker once that read, "Freedom of Religion means ANY Religion."
Do not down Mr. Drysdale or anyone else that thinks differently. Mr. Drysdale, I suggest you stick with the larger cities.

[kawgpz550]

Originally Posted by songinthewind7

Do witch burnings still occur?
Okay, I have lived in Texas for almost 4 years. The first couple of years were spent in San Antonio. The majority of the population was Mexican and Catholic. Nobody really seemed to care what I did which is good because I am not a churchgoer, even though I was raised (gag) southern baptist. I now live in a small town. I am asked everyday if I have found a church home. When I come up with an answer like, nature is my church or something like that, I get a strange look and stupid comments on how I will be prayed for. If these "christians" would stop forcing garb down peoples throats, and wanting money all the time, the world would be a better place. I saw a bumper sticker once that read, "Freedom of Religion means ANY Religion."
Do not down Mr. Drysdale or anyone else that thinks differently. Mr. Drysdale, I suggest you stick with the larger cities.

Posts like this is exactly the reason this thread needs to stop being posted on...keep the peace people!

[DFWMike]

Not necessary, there is a clear "christian" majority. But many of these people simply proclaim to be christian yet are laying in their beds on Sunday morning just like I am. Lifelong Texan, haven't been in a church since 19, I have had no problems. It will make it slightly more of a challenge to find friends, but not insurmountable.

That being said, if you're looking outside the big cities it could be a problem. Only area that is considered rural and acceptable of atheism would probably be central texas between austin and san antonio. But there are all kinds of organizations in the major cities from Wiccans, to atheists, to the aforementioned Unitarian churches, even a church of scientology in Dallas.

[Tussaud]

Originally Posted by Mr. Drysdale

Looking at Texas for retirement. I am a closet atheist. Not interested in
joining a church, or praising Jesus if I find a dollar bill on the sidewalk.

Do most Texan's make it a point to ask you were you go to church?
Can a non-believer live a happy life in Texas? Do many activities
relvolve around church membership?

Mr. Drysdale

Like other people said, its about where you live in the state. I moved to Lafayette, LA for a few months and it is almost unbearable there compared to Houston. Also, before you move to the place, check Meetup: World's largest community of local Meetups, clubs and groups! for groups. Houston has a really good atheist meetup several times a month. A wide range of people from all walks of life are there. This also helps you to meet new people without having to worry about them trying to get you to join a church or something.

There are also other humanist and secular organizations that would be beneficial. Most of those are only for cities though. If you want to move to a small town, you can expect there to be very very religious people. Just driving through the state, small churches dominate the country side. Small towns build around the church. If you wish to remain 'low profile' I would recommend not joining those communities. In the south, there is not a tolerance for any belief other than your own (from a religious perspective, Personally, I could care less, but I am not from the south I hail from Berlin, MI).

I am open about my atheism to most people, but also closet when needed (such as for job purposes). In large cities churches and members dont go out of their way to try and convert one atheist, they are going for easy targets and dont want to waste their time. They realize that most atheists are atheist because they are smart enough to see past the fairy tales of religion, but in smaller communities, you will be come target and you will be their crusade. They have nothing better to do than make your life hell for you. I have read stories and even CNN reported on a family in Alabama I think it was who basically got boycotted. No stores would sell to them and their children were harassed (note, this is an extreme case, just to show the difference of what you might encounter in a small community.)

If you have any other questions, of would like references or contact information for local groups, let me know.

[BrennanKG]

My family and I moved to San Antonio from San Diego late last year. The majority of our friends here are practicing Christians of one flavor or another. None of them have ever made any sort of issue with us not attending church.

If you intend to associate with holy rollers I imagine you'll catch some grief. Barring that I can't imagine you having any difficulty.



B.

[CADRMNDANES]

Originally Posted by Rillifane

I moved to a small town in East Texas five years ago. I am a Ch'an Buddhist (which also makes me an atheist for those who aren't acquainted with Buddhism).

I never expected my rural Southern Baptist neighbors to either understand nor accept my religous views. I have had that expectation fulfilled.

Then again, I have no particular reason to mention my own beliefs nor to do anything but politely decline invitations to revivals, snake handling festivals or book burnings when they come my way. This is quite okay with me since I did not plan on much socializing with the locals.

If you desire to have an active social life you will find it, and many kindred spirits, in Dallas, Austin or any of the other big cities of Texas. They are, IMHO, as sophisticated as any other major American city. However, if you choose a rural area then plan on having a very small circle of friends.

Great post!! I think it's best not to mention beliefs from either side. I personally don't like to talk about religion. That is a personal choice for all and it should be kept private. I don't know why people feel the need to ask about church or invite a stranger to their church. ??? It's really none of their business.
To each their own!!

I agree stay around the bigger sophisticated educated (college) cities.

[purpletwinkie]

Originally Posted by fierce_flawless

There are still 40+ counties in Texas that are DRY (no alcohol).... so it can't be the case all over, that more people are in bars than in church.

Liquor stores are CLOSED on Sunday. It's the law! You can't order an alcoholic drink in a restaurant on Sunday between 10 and noon unless food is served with it. You can't buy beer until noon on Sunday. These laws are all because "they" think you should be in *church* on Sunday or at least not boozin' it up!

So, if you're witnessing alcohol sales on Sunday mornings in Texas, you're probably witnessing the law being broken.

I'm not quite as old, but at 35, having grown up in Texas and having family that are Texans for generations back (all from small towns), I think my understanding of things based on experience has just as much validity.

I grew up in a small town on the Texas coast with more churches than restaurants or schools. Church and football was all that mattered. This is the same experience my family has had (and continues to have, those that still live in small towns).

I'm in San Antonio and haven't had religion forced down my throat, BUT I still have learned to ignore the "I'll pray for you" and "God Bless you" from a large percentage of the people I come in contact with regularly. I don't get huffy about it or anything, I just smile and go on my way.



This is not some unheard of thing though, the idea of small town Texas and religion being linked!

This post is spot on! I was born and raised in a small town in Central Texas and still live in one. Neither my husband or I are very religious (don't ask me how I escaped, I can't quite figure that out), and we were asked repeatedly what church we were going to join when we got married. We just kind of avoided the question most of the time. My chosen answer would have been "The Church of the Poisoned Mind" since we're in our mid-thirties and are still huge Culture Club fans. Didn't really think most of the people asking would get it though...

Like I said, we live in a small town now and we are not happy here. We are saving to move to Austin. We love it there and I really think that anyone could fit in living in Austin. Religious or not.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

You know what is cracking me up about this whole thing and I've seen it in many other threads of the same nature. All of this talk about avoiding small towns in Texas as they will be VERY religious. HA!!!!!!! Sorry folks, drive thru some of these small towns on a Sunday morning and you will see more people at the local beer/wine and liquor stores than you will at the small local church. I've been in enough of them to know. For example, the small lil church (baptist) that my mil goes to is so small that if they had 30 people on one day they would not have enough pews to sit them. But drive past the 10+ beer stores, liquor stores, VFW hall, gambling hall, etc and the parking lots are packed. Even in the little neighborhood she lives in there are only two of them that go to church. Shoot, when my family went to visit my grandfathers little country church in a podunk small East Texas town w/ the 6 of us "visitors" we practically doubled their attendance that Sunday. No lie. So please stop all of this nonsense that all small Texas towns are full of religious people, it ain't so.

Same goes w/ even here in the metroplex. Growing up I hardly ever knew anyone else that went to church. If you even brought it up to your friends at school you would be made fun of. At least now my kids can openly say they go to church and not face judgement like what used to go on. Still, I'd say the majority of my neighbors do NOT attend church.

This is coming from someone w/ experience and having lived in Texas for all of my 40+ years. Being that you don't believe in God is not going to make you some freak of nature down here. Just don't go around telling people that they are wrong, ignorant, stupid or whatever if they do believe in God and/or attend church. Oh yeah, don't get offended if when you ask them to do something on Sunday and they can't. Just respect them and they will respect you.

Amen, amen, amen!!

(was that too religious? )