Moving to Atlanta Metro (Decatur) to start seminary. How to meet people. (Millen: credit, homes)

[oihamad]

I'm a 28 (soon to be 29) year old currently living in Raleigh, NC and will be relocating to the Atlanta area, specifically Decatur, to start an MDiv Program at Columbia Theological Seminary. I'll also likely be working 25/hrs a week through an Anglican Church Fellowship. I am curious about where to meet younger, intellectual-engaged, and religious/spiritually-inclined people. I'm not a type who likes to party and have mild Asperger's syndrome, so bars or loud/crazy events (though I do enjoy live music) aren't going to be my thing. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[DreamerD]

Well since you're religious, I'd definitely look for any Anglican (or any denomination that you consider similar to) churches in the Metro area and join their young adults group. Usually they have events outside of church i.e., members' homes, where they mingle. I'd also recommend meetup.com and event brite. I'm going to warn you though that Millennials tend to be mildly religious, atheist, agnostic, spiritual. The trend especially for this group is towards atheism/agnosticism and so be careful of your expectations.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by DreamerD

Well since you're religious, I'd definitely look for any Anglican (or any denomination that you consider similar to) churches in the Metro area and join their young adults group. Usually they have events outside of church i.e., members' homes, where they mingle. I'd also recommend meetup.com and event brite. I'm going to warn you though that Millennials tend to be mildly religious, atheist, agnostic, spiritual. The trend especially for this group is towards atheism/agnosticism and so be careful of your expectations.

In a city like Atlanta (or any large metropolitan area) there are going to be plenty of people of the same age and religious beliefs than any one person could possibly meet and get to know. Larger trends do not need to dissuade anyone. If only 1% of millenials held to any religious convictions in a city like Atlanta, that's still more than a person could ever get to know. And the percentage is nowhere near that low.

I would suggest attending some of the singles events at some of the larger churches that have a big singles draw. Buckhead Church, Passion City Church come to mind. Might be more evangelically minded than your Anglican/Presbyterian mold but not suggesting joining, just attending some singles events.

[johnscd71]

Check out Atlanta Becoming:

https://www.facebook.com/atlantabecoming/

[lethalhipster9]

Since you’re religious enough to actually study religion for a living, i would recommend living OTP to meet likeminded people. Decatur is VERY liberal by Georgia standards and i can imagine that most young people there aren’t religious.

[DreamerD]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

In a city like Atlanta (or any large metropolitan area) there are going to be plenty of people of the same age and religious beliefs than any one person could possibly meet and get to know. Larger trends do not need to dissuade anyone. If only 1% of millenials held to any religious convictions in a city like Atlanta, that's still more than a person could ever get to know. And the percentage is nowhere near that low.

I would suggest attending some of the singles events at some of the larger churches that have a big singles draw. Buckhead Church, Passion City Church come to mind. Might be more evangelically minded than your Anglican/Presbyterian mold but not suggesting joining, just attending some singles events.

I'm not saying the person won't find anyone who is religious but just saying that they may not be as religious as he desires. There are those who identify as christian but don't identify themselves as religious. Some say they are religious and don't even go to church. Even older generations are noticing the difference...

[oihamad]

Well, I am both very religious and very liberal. I think there is a misconception here that Religious necessarily means Conservative in a political sense. The seminary I am attending is located in Decatur, and I will be living on-campus as a matter of convenience so I really have no choice in that regard. But I think I am probably about as left as the predominant Decatur community, and my sense is that there are many left/progressive oriented Mainline Protestant Churches in that area too.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by oihamad

Well, I am both very religious and very liberal. I think there is a misconception here that Religious necessarily means Conservative in a political sense. The seminary I am attending is located in Decatur, and I will be living on-campus as a matter of convenience so I really have no choice in that regard. But I think I am probably about as left as the predominant Decatur community, and my sense is that there are many left/progressive oriented Mainline Protestant Churches in that area too.

You will find plenty of liberal minded religiously active people ITP. Yes, they will be more numerous and more conservative in the burbs, but there are plenty to be found locally. I would think once you get ensconced at Columbia, you will meet others that will direct you to singles groups that will fit the profile of what you are seeking. You will find a general mindset on this site that paints Christians as a monolithic type that lives in only one corner of the world.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

You will find plenty of liberal minded religiously active people ITP. Yes, they will be more numerous and more conservative in the burbs, but there are plenty to be found locally. I would think once you get ensconced at Columbia, you will meet others that will direct you to singles groups that will fit the profile of what you are seeking. You will find a general mindset on this site that paints Christians as a monolithic type that lives in only one corner of the world.

No question about that. The city of Atlanta and close by areas like Decatur have many VERY active and large churches.

I also know plenty of people who are religious and very liberal on social and political matters. Intown churches have been in the forefront of progressive social change since Day One. Who led the charge on issues like civil rights for blacks and GLBT folks and the poor and the homeless?

The churches, that's who.

[DreamerD]

Originally Posted by arjay57

No question about that. The city of Atlanta and close by areas like Decatur have many VERY active and large churches.

I also know plenty of people who are religious and very liberal on social and political matters. Intown churches have been in the forefront of progressive social change since Day One. Who led the charge on issues like civil rights for blacks and GLBT folks and the poor and the homeless?

The churches, that's who.

Actually churches are given much more credit than they deserve for their role in the Civil Rights Movement.



https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black...ment_n_3810530


Led the charge on issues for LGBT folk? Where are you getting this from? I think the media may have played a bigger part in normalizing/creating visibility for people who are LGBTQ+.