Religion in Charlotte (homes, YMCA, new construction)
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I will be moving to Charlotte from the San Francisco Bay Area. I know in the South religion is more deeply rooted in people's daily lives compared to those in California. I was wondering how overt religion is in everyday life?
It is a culture here and a social thing. The first questions I was asked was what church do you belong to? Just a different culture, and a different way of life. You get to find out where you comfort level is.
Well, seeing as how the largest growing denomination here is the Roman Catholic Church and the members are basically made up of folks who have relocated here, I don't think the whole "Charlotte is full of Southerners who are church-goers" is accurate.
I will say that I haven't been asked what church we attend by anyone (been here just over a year)
my kids have been asked to go to church functions with other kids sometimes -- they go sometimes
what I find much different than any place I have lived is how much even in group conversations , people refer to god by either thanking him or whatever..for example I thank god our kids made this team...or things like it has all been god's plan ...I pray daily we get a new principal, athletic director etc (there are others too) lately I would say this happens in a conversation once a week
what I find much different than any place I have lived is how much even in group conversations , people refer to god by either thanking him or whatever..for example I thank god our kids made this team...or things like it has all been god's plan ...I pray daily we get a new principal, athletic director etc (there are others too) lately I would say this happens in a conversation once a week
I agree. Those types are incredibly annoying, presumptuous and condescending. As if g-d gives a hoot what team your kids make or what athletic director your school has. I'm sure he has better things to do.
That seems to be a pretty new thing though. When I was growing up 20 years ago, the Southerners I was around saved talk of g-d for funerals, weddings, and serious sickness. Maybe it is still confined to those folks that go to "churches" that are more like amphitheaters where they talk about "getting saved" and have powerpoint presentations about the church budget.
For the most part, if you stay closer to the city, you don't have to deal with these bozos. They seem to be rampant in some of the burbs though.
Fortunately, many of them have taken to identifying themselves by bumper stickers. You will find this out when they cut you off, speed by you or otherwise make unsafe traffic moves (they are "saved" after all).
Well, seeing as how the largest growing denomination here is the Roman Catholic Church and the members are basically made up of folks who have relocated here, I don't think the whole "Charlotte is full of Southerners who are church-goers" is accurate.
Just something to consider, folks.
The recent evangelical movement (post-1980 or so) isn't limited to Southerners, but the culture of the South seems to support it pretty well.
You see a lot of growth in the Catholic churches but also in the nondenominational "churches" with catchy names that meet in movie theaters and other places.
The recent evangelical movement (post-1980 or so) isn't limited to Southerners, but the culture of the South seems to support it pretty well.
You see a lot of growth in the Catholic churches but also in the nondenominational "churches" with catchy names that meet in movie theaters and other places.
Very true on both points. The culture here does support church involvement and attendance and yes, there has been a mushroom effect with non-denominational churches here in Charlotte. In fact, the substantial and continuing growth has essentially been in the last 10 or so years. As the city has grown, so have the churches . . . which has to mean that newcomers are populating at least a high percentage of the rolls at these churches.
I agree. Those types are incredibly annoying, presumptuous and condescending. As if g-d gives a hoot what team your kids make or what athletic director your school has. I'm sure he has better things to do.
That seems to be a pretty new thing though. When I was growing up 20 years ago, the Southerners I was around saved talk of g-d for funerals, weddings, and serious sickness. Maybe it is still confined to those folks that go to "churches" that are more like amphitheaters where they talk about "getting saved" and have powerpoint presentations about the church budget.
For the most part, if you stay closer to the city, you don't have to deal with these bozos. They seem to be rampant in some of the burbs though.
Fortunately, many of them have taken to identifying themselves by bumper stickers. You will find this out when they cut you off, speed by you or otherwise make unsafe traffic moves (they are "saved" after all).
Now, now . . . that really WAS rather condescending, Coped.
There really are a lot of people who do pray daily and don't hesitate to profess that to others. I don't know if it is insincere or not - I take people at their face value.
It is also part of the colloquial language of the south to use the word "pray" for emphasis - such as "I pray that they figure a way out of this" . . . meaning nothing more than "I so wish" . . .
Seeing as how some religions actually pray in public several times a day, I don't see why anyone should find it offensive behavior for Christians to discuss that they pray, too.
When my kids were younger, they participated heavily in the YMCA programs. I did have a problem with the team prayers before athletic events. Obviously the Y has a right to do this since they are a Christian organization, however my complaint is that there are few opportunities for non-religious families to participate in sports without religion being brought into it. There is really no organization with the same breadth of opportunities as the Y. I know at least one family who refused to have their kids do Y soccer because of the prayers.
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