Colorado Springs religious adherence (Denver, Fort Carson: college, taxation, living in)

[WesternPilgrim]

It's almost cliche to refer to COS as a city with lots of fervent religious people, chiefly evangelical Christians.

But City-Data's COS page shows the percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations is only 37.10%, well below the national average and even lower than most California cities. Security's number is even lower at 28.24%.

Really, these are shockingly low percentages.

What's going on here?

[otowi]

The average person living in this area is not fervently religious. You would "feel" and "see" religion much more in the 'Bible Belt'. But, there are a handful of evangelical organizations that have national influence that are based here in the business sense. They do attract some evangelicals to the region as their employees, etc., but there is by no means a grass-roots or home-grown evangelical movement here. Rather, the Western vibe of live-and-let-live is by far predominant.

[ohazco]

Originally Posted by otowi

The average person living in this area is not fervently religious. You would "feel" and "see" religion much more in the 'Bible Belt'. But, there are a handful of evangelical organizations that have national influence that are based here in the business sense. They do attract some evangelicals to the region as their employees, etc., but there is by no means a grass-roots or home-grown evangelical movement here. Rather, the Western vibe of live-and-let-live is by far predominant.

Bingo. Some of the headquarters were formerly located in California and moved to Colorado for tax/cost of business reasons. The conservativeness of the Springs actually derives more from the military presence than it does the religious organizations' headquarters.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by ohazco

Bingo. Some of the headquarters were formerly located in California and moved to Colorado for tax/cost of business reasons. The conservativeness of the Springs actually derives more from the military presence than it does the religious organizations' headquarters.

Thanks to both of you.

Could it also be that military families are more transient and don't get around to joining a religious community?

[cjmeck]

Originally Posted by otowi

The average person living in this area is not fervently religious. You would "feel" and "see" religion much more in the 'Bible Belt'. But, there are a handful of evangelical organizations that have national influence that are based here in the business sense. They do attract some evangelicals to the region as their employees, etc., but there is by no means a grass-roots or home-grown evangelical movement here. Rather, the Western vibe of live-and-let-live is by far predominant.

This exactly. Well put.

[otowi]

As for the conservativeness of the area, the military probably does contribute, but I think El Paso County has always been conservative, long before even Fort Carson/Camp Carson existed. I recently read a great book about the early days of the county by one of our founding residents, Irving Howbert - titled Memories of a Lifetime in the Pike's Peak Region, and you see conservativism, especially fiscally, was here at the start. Anyone interested in local history I strongly recommended this biography which begins within only two years of the first caucasian settlements in Colorado.

[Sonic_Spork]

I think it's misleading to say that the area is predominantly conservative, people lose sight of some key definitions...as put to me by my college prof's:

Conservative= People have more power over their money, and government less, but the government and organizations of authority are expected to have more control over moral/ethical/social matters.

Libertarian=An argument for less government interference in both money and personal morals. The "live and let live" philosophy that dominates this area. Many groups that are truly conservative have taken up this tag erroneously, as they are often groups which would love to tell people whom they can marry and what they should believe, etc.

Liberal=More governmental power over money, regulation of business, higher taxation, more redistribution...BUT less governmental interference socially, more a creed of tolerance for diverse choices in citizens' private lives.

Socialist=More government control in all aspects. The countries we have traditionally been enemies of, have been like this. The ones that strive for total control of all wealth and assets as well as the beliefs, morals, and private behaviors of the citizens. Many people also misunderstand the nature of true socialism. It is not just a government that provides free healthcare, nor is it just an extreme of liberalism.

Many of you already know all of this. But I find myself having to remind a lot of people I'm friends with, as they don't grasp the distinctions. I have conservative friends who call liberals socialist and liberal friends who think that they are socialist or that it would be a good system, when they don't realize they'd have to give up all of their social liberties and the "tolerance" thing would have to go right out the window...and I have many friends who likewise think that libertarians are just another flavor of conservative.

As to why more citizens here don't go to church...granted I'm relatively new here, but I sense a great mistrust of authority in many residents I've met. They are willing to commune with God, and it's easy to do when you are surrounded by the natural majesty we have here, but don't really want an organization involved in it, or are cynical about the motives of said organizations perhaps. Of course that may not apply to a majority, but it fits for some of the folks I've met here, just a generally cynical attitude towards any group that is big enough to try and take advantage of anyone. And of course further west into Manitou there are many people who have "alternative" belief systems--your old hippies, wiccans, pagans, and what have you.

As for the military...well, there are chaplains and religious services offered by the military, and maybe City Data's statistics are not accurate. No one asked me what my affiliation was, I wasn't counted, where do the numbers come from? I think it's always important to question statistics. That said, many enlisted soldiers are young adults with no better career prospects. My husband was doing some routine updating of personal records of large numbers of the enlisted recently and told me "You would be surprised how many soldiers don't know who their fathers were." And like it or not, there has been a culture shift going on in the US where people are far more engaged in material matters, rather than spiritual. A kid of a single parent who grew up in front of the TV is perhaps more inclined to use their time in worldly pursuits.

[GoneNative]

I don't think that percentages quite get at it. Colorado Springs is a deeply religious city, bolstered by the many faith-based organizations located in town. The Springs is also a so-called "military town." Does that mean that everybody is active duty? Of course not. But the military is one of the primary drivers in local culture, attitudes, politics, etc. The same is true of the religious influence on the city. Not everybody is a conservative Christian, but faith-based groups, people, and churches are one of the most significant influences on the city and the sort of lifestyle found in Colorado Springs.

It appears that you're Catholic. Bishop Sheridan is a great orthodox Catholic leader. And Archbishop Aquila in Denver is likewise. Religion in Colorado, especially COS can't be measured in purely quantitative terms. It's about the dynamism, strength, vibrancy, and youth of it. That vibrancy, in my opinion, makes faith a strongly influential force in Colorado precisely because it's so alive. Again, in my opinion, for those reasons, Colorado is more likely to become the center of any religious revival in America. Who knows what the future looks like? But as long as the Springs is the Springs, I think Colorado will be an important part of the American religious scene.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by WesternPilgrim

...

But City-Data's COS page shows the percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations is only 37.10%, well below the national average and even lower than most California cities. Security's number is even lower at 28.24%.

...

Did you accidentally say "affiliated" but mean "afflicted"?

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by otowi

I strongly recommended this biography which begins within only two years of the first caucasian settlements in Colorado.

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered it!

Originally Posted by phetaroi

Did you accidentally say "affiliated" but mean "afflicted"?

One of the many reasons that my wife and I chose Colorado Springs is because of that "affliction". It is our hope that it will become pandemic.