Are atheists welcome in Texas (Howe: houses, to buy, price)

[jluke65780]

Of course you can be an atheist in Texas,Just don't go around preaching how much you don't believe in god and stuff.

[RoaminRed]

Originally Posted by truetexan

I have lived in Texas my whole life, and am very strong in my faith. I do know that only 8% of Texas is non-religious. I am going to be very honest with you of what I rember since I just moved to Tennessee. I grew up northwest of Austin in a small town called Burnet. All of my friends there were christians in Burnet, and it was a town that had alot of arguments. When I say arguments I mean like about a ''perfect'' race, religion, etc. From when I lived in Burnet it was very hateful against blacks, atheists, and gays etc. You had to be white, christian, and straight. I was never a part of these considering I have a gay uncle. But I do beleive that christianity is an important thing and looking at the statistics it sounds like the majority of Texas feels the same way. So my advice to you is you should probably keep your personal life to yourself if you want to live in Texas.

I figure, if someone is narrow-minded enough to shun me for what I believe, then they aren't the kind of people I want to hang out with anyway. That said, unlike a lot of religious people, most atheists don't talk/think about being an atheist every minute of the day.

Personally I don't think about it all all unless someone brings it up. If I'm put on the spot somehow I'll just politely let them know and leave it at that. Otherwise, it just doesn't enter my conversation or my thoughts from day to day.

I do think we're woefully misunderstood, though.

[CMDallas]

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

Sure!
Honestly, Texas isn't THAT different from all the other states.
I'm an open Agnostic/Atheist/Weak Catholic. I don't know...

Where I live many people speak of Christianity without doubt, as well as some of the Muslims as I do live in a fair Muslim community. but Just don't care, if someone doesn't like your way then whatever. If they try to convert you get bug-eyed and nod as if they are telling you the most interesting story.
Most people don't ask about my church, I go every like 3 years by force. I'm not sure what I believe. Don't hide something furiously though, make sure you conversations don't go into religion, if they do just say the truth, tell them you'd rather not talk about it, or You're not sure.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Mr. Drysdale

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

To answer your questions: No, they don't. Yes, he/she can. No, they don't. That is true of the cities. Go live in a small town and reverse those answers.

[Canine*Castle]

[quote=Mr. Drysdale;362553 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[/quote]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

To answer your questions: No, they don't. Yes, he/she can. No, they don't. That is true of the cities. Go live in a small town and reverse those answers.

small-town answer........

1. No
2. A non-believer or a believer can live a happy life if he/she so chooses.
3. Again, it's a matter of choice. Activities can revolve around church membership, but they certainly don't have to do so.

[I am back]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

small-town answer........

1. No
2. A non-believer or a believer can live a happy life if he/she so chooses.
3. Again, it's a matter of choice. Activities can revolve around church membership, but they certainly don't have to do so.

regarding 2.....
Yes,as a non-believer,I can live a pretty happy life even if I am not welcomed there.

[JejuneRaccoon]

I am friends with plenty of atheists right here in San Antonio. I don't foresee problems.

[jimnmw]

Regarding being atheist in Texas. I am a native Texan whose family goes back 150 years. Texans are southern, western and very independent. Texas culture expects Texans to treat all people with kindness and respect regardless of their religion, race, etc..

However, our culture is also one that has a very strong foundation of traditional conservative values, such as traditional marriage, sexual oreintation and behavior, and belief in God. Texas culture contains a strong sense of justice, right and wrong. This goes back to our frontier days. We are no-nonsense in regard to these sort of things. So behavior outside these moral and cultural bounds are not accepted as normal.

So, although we tend to show hospitality and respect to all, those who are not comfortable with a traditional historic moral values system, or try to take issues on these matters, would likely come to not feel accepted. Likewise, those who repect our value system, and don't make an issue of their views or lifestyle, tend to get along just fine.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by jimnmw

Regarding being atheist in Texas. I am a native Texan whose family goes back 150 years. Texans are southern, western and very independent. Texas culture expects Texans to treat all people with kindness and respect regardless of their religion, race, etc..

However, our culture is also one that has a very strong foundation of traditional conservative values, such as traditional marriage, sexual oreintation and behavior, and belief in God. Texas culture contains a strong sense of justice, right and wrong. This goes back to our frontier days. We are no-nonsense in regard to these sort of things. So behavior outside these moral and cultural bounds are not accepted as normal.

So, although we tend to show hospitality and respect to all, those who are not comfortable with a traditional historic moral values system, or try to take issues on these matters, would likely come to not feel accepted. Likewise, those who repect our value system, and don't make an issue of their views or lifestyle, tend to get along just fine.

Occasionally a post will appear that I just feel like giving a STANDING OVATION, and Rebel Yell. THIS is one of them.

Well done, and said!

[Rocket Power]

Well, I live in a small town in Texas and I've never felt the need to move or get out because of what I believe, or what I don't believe in this case.

I don't preach what I believe to anyone, but if someone ask, I give them an honest answer. Too bad if they don't like it.

This has on occasion led some people to think it's their job to try and "save me" from hell. They give up soon enough once they see I'm a lost cause

I also don't like this notion that us Texas all think and believe the same thing. Most the people I associate with aren't that religious.

Heck, I have a sneaking suspension there's quite a few closet atheist out there.