Lake Junaluska and religous tolerance (Waynesville, Marvin: apartment, neighborhoods, living in)

[mike shannon]

Hi all:

My wife's parents (she's jewish and he's catholic) have moved to the mountains for retirement and are currently living in an apartment until they settle on an area and house. They've apparently discovered Lake Junaluska and think they've found their 'perfect house'. They seem to be in a rush and really won't listen to us to slow down and take their time, but they are ready to make an offer without even speaking to their future neighbors - go figure.

So out of curiosity I did some googling see Lake Junaluska has 1 or 2 (or more) Methodist and Evalgelical institutes (or something like that, I'm not sure what you call them). That seems excellent to me, but my wife points out that - like a lot of us when we get older - they are set in ther ways and are also very opinionated folks. I think they've had some vocal disagreemnts before with evalgelicals who've tried to witness to them - they don't take kindly to that at all. They aren't particulary religious themselves, they just get offended by that sort of thing. Anyway, my question: Are the neighborhoods around that lake pretty diverse or at least accepting of other religions? Thanks for any insight!

[theoldnorthstate]

it is wise of you to be concerned that your in laws may not be comfortable in lake junaluska.

i would not move into a Jewish, Catholic, Methodist, or evangelical Conference center if it would offend me that the ministers might minister to me and if i had gotten into vocal disagreements before.

Lake Junaluska was established by the methodists as a summer conference center.

maybe your in laws should reconsider before they commit.

am sure Lake Junaluska folks are fine people and most north carolinians are live and let live.

[hymnsinger]

As a United Methodist pastor in the Conference (area of ministry) where Lake Junaluska is housed, I can say unequivocally that your inlaws would be MOST welcome, and will not in any way be witnessed to, preached to, or judged unfairly by the people of Lake Junaluska. They would be much more likely to be discriminated against in the surrounding area of Waynesville. If your inlaws can handle being surrounded by a religious retreat atmosphere of peace and mostly quiet, then they will love the Lake Junaluska community. I can't think of a better place for them to live in Western North Carolina!

Blessings,
Tracey

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by hymnsinger

...They would be much more likely to be discriminated against in the surrounding area of Waynesville. If your inlaws can handle being surrounded by a religious retreat atmosphere of peace and mostly quiet, then they will love the Lake Junaluska community. I can't think of a better place for them to live in Western North Carolina!

Blessings,
Tracey

I disagree with your comment on Waynesville, and wonder what your opinion is based on? We have lived here since Sept 2001, and neither we nor any of our circle of very diverse friends have ever experienced any kind of 'discrimination', based on any religious aspect.

We have good friends that live in L J, and they enjoy that area too...

I am not making comparisons between W'ville & LJ, and both areas are very nice, but I do disagree with your blanket opin on Waynesville.

[Samoi137]

This kind of witness?
Can I get a Witness-Marvin Gaye - YouTube

[Shooting Stars]

I agree with David. My goodness, even in teeny tiny Hayesville, people don't bother you about religion. Waynesville is much larger and used to visitors from everywhere. I don't see a problem.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by mike shannon

Hi all:

My wife's parents (she's jewish and he's catholic) have moved to the mountains for retirement and are currently living in an apartment until they settle on an area and house. They've apparently discovered Lake Junaluska and think they've found their 'perfect house'. They seem to be in a rush and really won't listen to us to slow down and take their time, but they are ready to make an offer without even speaking to their future neighbors - go figure.

So out of curiosity I did some googling see Lake Junaluska has 1 or 2 (or more) Methodist and Evalgelical institutes (or something like that, I'm not sure what you call them). That seems excellent to me, but my wife points out that - like a lot of us when we get older - they are set in ther ways and are also very opinionated folks. I think they've had some vocal disagreemnts before with evalgelicals who've tried to witness to them - they don't take kindly to that at all. They aren't particulary religious themselves, they just get offended by that sort of thing. Anyway, my question: Are the neighborhoods around that lake pretty diverse or at least accepting of other religions? Thanks for any insight!

Methodists are some of THE most accepting non-judgemental Christians on this planet.

As a Catholic, I would live there in a heartbeat. It's a beautiful area with lovely people

[mike shannon]

Thanks all for the feedack. The area does in fact look very welcoming and I'll pass on the good reviews. FWIW - I understood the comment above to mean something other than disparaging of Waynesville, it seemed to be more of a reaffirmation that Lake Junaluska is VERY friendly.

[hymnsinger]

Your welcome Mike!

MotorDavid, my apologies, I meant no disrespect for Waynesville. I should have used more general language like, "They would be much more likely to be discriminated against in the general population . . ." Just affirming that the Lake Junaluska area is a very welcoming and wonderful place! Waynesville is wonderful too, but it's not Lake Junaluska! I love the lake!

Tracey

[Shooting Stars]

Hymn, I was just recently looking at pictures of the lake. I think you should put up pictures in the Official Photo Thread. I love me some lake.

And I agree that Methodists don't tend to be "in your face" types.