[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

How can you be Muslim and non religious at the same time? That would be like me saying I'm Christian and non religious. Can't have it both ways.

I was raised Christian but am agnostic. I was thinking he meant something along those lines. As in, he was raised Muslim but does not practice the religion currently.

Originally Posted by Christinerica

Are you quite mad? In today's climate of manufactured hate, a person with your belief system should avoid the south. Especially Alabama...though Mississippi would be a worse choice.

You DO realize it isn't 1965 anymore, right? I know there are still folks out there that think Alabama and Mississippi are still racist states, but they've moved on.. and quite a while ago. You should visit and get a refresher on your take on both states.

[Christinerica]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

I was raised Christian but am agnostic. I was thinking he meant something along those lines. As in, he was raised Muslim but does not practice the religion currently.



You DO realize it isn't 1965 anymore, right? I know there are still folks out there that think Alabama and Mississippi are still racist states, but they've moved on.. and quite a while ago. You should visit and get a refresher on your take on both states.

Just moved after living there for 7 LONG years of JESUS, FOOTBALL, and more JESUS a all the time. Gov Bentley is a prime example; upon his first inaugural adress actually said "if your not Christian, you are not my brother". What a good example of a state leader being inclusive of all the citizens of that sad beligered state.

[krmb]

Originally Posted by Sjd1

So I'll be moving to Alabama in a few days and I was wondering about the dating situation down there. I come from a muslim background (although I'm not religious) and was wondering how much women in Alabama would be open to dating a muslim? My only experience living in the south was when I lived in Georgia for a few years when I was a kid. And well I didn't really fit in. I know that the south has a pretty bad history when it comes to race relations and interracial relationships. If the women in Alabama aren't willing to date a black man I'm not sure how open they would be to a muslim man.

So what are the chances down there for a muslim man?

Mobile and Birmingham have a pretty good mix of cultural diversity. Mobile is a subtropical port city that has a small Muslim community; we also get refugees and new international residents all of the time. There's a pretty good mix. Some are here to work and play; some are here to study. Birmingham has a Muslim population of over twenty percent and is one of the cities in Alabama with a significant history of cultural diversity.

Check out the websites:

http://www.islamiccenterofmobile.org/ for info on Muslim communities in Mobile and surrounding areas.

The Birmingham Islamic Society | BIS for info on Muslim communities in Birmingham...

[krmb]

Originally Posted by Christinerica

Just moved after living there for 7 LONG years of JESUS, FOOTBALL, and more JESUS a all the time. Gov Bentley is a prime example; upon his first inaugural adress actually said "if your not Christian, you are not my brother". What a good example of a state leader being inclusive of all the citizens of that sad beligered state.

It really depends on which part of Alabama you move to. Around here those communities of radicals exist peacefully among large communities of moderates and small communities of atheists, agnostics, and various other faiths. If you want to get a really good view of people whose faith, whatever it may be, is alive and well move to Alabama. We are not the white-washed trailer trash the media likes to pretend we are, thankfully. We are a state full of rich history that embraces cultural and religious diversity; at least the larger cities have this philosophy. I can't speak for the smaller towns; they do tend to be more cliquish.

For that matter, though, what's wrong with a man worshipping Jesus or enjoying football? As long as he remembers his neighbor may not, there is nothing wrong with it. You'll sometimes be surprised how much you have in common with people who seem dramatically different from you if you get to know them. You know what they say, variety is the spice of life. It's all of these cultures living and working together that make a city unique. Here we have mosques, churches, and Buddhist temples. There's plenty of opportunity for a person to educate and enlighten himself.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by kmb501

It really depends on which part of Alabama you move to. Around here those communities of radicals exist peacefully among large communities of moderates and small communities of atheists, agnostics, and various other faiths. If you want to get a really good view of people whose faith, whatever it may be, is alive and well move to Alabama. We are not the white-washed trailer trash the media likes to pretend we are, thankfully. We are a state full of rich history that embraces cultural diversity; at least the larger cities have this philosophy. I can't speak for the smaller towns; they do tend to be more cliquish.

To your point:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et0ho20CJIM

[jessxwrites89]

Originally Posted by Podo944

Okay, I admit I might be displaying a little chutzpah by replying to your post since I don't live anywhere near Alabama, but hey, I saw your question, and I'm just going to offer a general suggestion.

I live in a pretty diverse area where there is a pretty strong Muslim presence, however, I've worked with Muslim born people who are not religious as well, marrying out of their faith etc.

My suggestion is to focus on finding groups and hobby's that aren't focused on religion. Find a meet up group that might appeal to your other interests like books, hiking, science etc.

My husband and I are Star Trek nerds for instance, and we know we can always find a fan group somewhere.

I'm sure some locals will pipe in with local suggestions and give you more meaningful answers as pertains to the beautiful state of Alabama.

Cheers!
p.s. for a pinch of credibility, I have to mention we had a downstairs neighbor who was from Alabama and he was awesome! He was always bringing us gumbo or fried tomatoes, and was fixing things for us etc. Southern people have always been known for friendliness, and he sure lived up to that reputation.

I'm in the same camp - not from the Heart of Dixie, but saw the question and had to answer. You MIGHT find some people are anti-Muslim in Alabama, but as Podo suggested... find some groups with similar interests. Once you find groups with similar interests, you'll have an easier time making friends. Since you're not really religious, you probably won't have a problem in Alabama or the Bible Belt.

And Southern people are known for their friendliness and charm. I'm a Yankee and much prefer it down South (and Midwest). Good luck and cheers!

[Sjd1]

Originally Posted by jessxwrites89

I'm in the same camp - not from the Heart of Dixie, but saw the question and had to answer. You MIGHT find some people are anti-Muslim in Alabama, but as Podo suggested... find some groups with similar interests. Once you find groups with similar interests, you'll have an easier time making friends. Since you're not really religious, you probably won't have a problem in Alabama or the Bible Belt.

And Southern people are known for their friendliness and charm. I'm a Yankee and much prefer it down South (and Midwest). Good luck and cheers!

I've always been fascinated by this impression people have of southern people, of them being polite and friendly, especially since they're history of slavery and segregation would give people the impression that Southerners are all jerks. So how do you reconcile this? Southern politeness along with their backward political views (such as opposition to race mingling or interracial relationships)?

[ellenrr]

yeah, of course it is possible.

I'm a Jew and non-religious.

I was born a Jew. So that's what I am.
To me, the religion holds no interest.
To other Jews, the religion is very significant in their lives.

each to their own.

Originally Posted by Sjd1

Actually you can be a Christian and not be religious. I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.

[krmb]

Originally Posted by Sjd1

I've always been fascinated by this impression people have of southern people, of them being polite and friendly, especially since they're history of slavery and segregation would give people the impression that Southerners are all jerks. So how do you reconcile this? Southern politeness along with their backward political views (such as opposition to race mingling or interracial relationships)?

I'm from Mobile, Alabama, and I think it's generational, mostly. The much older ones tend to be somewhat prejudice and set in their ways, while the others are not and are in fact apologetic for the past. In other words, unless you plan to hang out with much older people from two or three generations past, you shouldn't run into any of that, but there are ignorant people in any lot. The Southern charm, though, is a front. They don't do it around each other, so it's kind of an advantage to be from somewhere else. They tend to be very nice to transplants, but they are not that nice to other Southerners, oddly. There's a code of behavior that they expect other Southerners to follow, and those who don't follow it are just ignored. That shouldn't be a problem for someone from out of town, though. They are more than happy to try to sell their culture to new blood.

The poor ignorant prejudice old people I mentioned earlier are oddly more sincere and open than the "cultured" Southerners, and, although I can't guarantee they are all sane, they can sometimes be a breath of fresh air. Their friendliness is usually sincere as they feel they have no reason to try to impress other people. You obviously can't believe everything they say, though, and being in certain company with them can be painful.

I've also run into a few radical (outspoken, not violent) Muslims in this area who aren't afraid to preach, hand out Korans, and generally do what the other faiths around here sometimes do to promote cultural awareness and tolerance. Some people go overboard, though.

[Sjd1]

Originally Posted by kmb501

I've also run into a few radical (outspoken, not violent) Muslims in this area who aren't afraid to preach, hand out Korans, and generally do what the other faiths around here sometimes do to promote cultural awareness and tolerance. Some people go overboard, though.

Jesus, really? In Mobile, Alabama? I grew up a muslim in America and I can't imagine any muslim doing this though. Many muslim immigrants, especially since 9/11, try to to blend in or hide their muslim identities.