Religion/Lack thereof in Manhattan, KS? (Lawrence, Washington: school, university, live in)

[onwisconsin23]

I'm considering graduate school at K State, and I was wondering what life is like in Kansas for someone who identifies as agnostic/atheist. Any thoughts or experiences you'd like to share?

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by onwisconsin23

I'm considering graduate school at K State, and I was wondering what life is like in Kansas for someone who identifies as agnostic/atheist. Any thoughts or experiences you'd like to share?

Not an issue at all if you live in the university town. KU and Lawrence is just about the only liberal area in the state. KSU and Manhattan leans more moderate overall.

[luzianne]

Manhattan (KSU) leans more conservative than KU (Lawrence), but like GS said, it's a college town. You will find all kinds there; you'll be fine.

[Inattentive]

Firstly congratulations on making it to graduate school it takes a lot of work . You can seek agnotics via the internet
as you doing . Colleges are the stumping grounds for agnostics and christians can dump their childhood adolescent
faith upon entering (it's college after all and a place to develop philosophies that help dump God and Jesus Christ)
Pagan groups such as wiccan's are in that loop as well so you can even go pagan which is cool. There is an agnos-
tic/ atheist thread you can find here . Remember God is a bad man and you are god.

[baileytinn]

I would rather live in a religious town as an atheist than live near the Westboro Baptist Church as a Christian. Steer clear of that train wreck and you'll be just fine.

[AnywhereElse]

So, finally, I just have to say it. I don't see why KS is even considered a Bible "thumper" area. I was shocked when I came here in the late 70's and saw all of the underage drinking, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, cursing in the public, etc. This was years ago. Now, multiply it times 10 and add illegal drugs and laws against them not being enforced and other criminal activities. Not in line with the Bible I know. Seriously, anyone with any sort of moral code coming into the state would be a welcome. I sometimes think people become confused and feel that "conservative" means Bible "thumpers" which it does not.

Manhattan, KS has a very diverse population especially since Fort Riley is right next door. It is a good area, one of the best in KS which I have learned the hard way.

[Alpha_Dog]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

So, finally, I just have to say it. I don't see why KS is even considered a Bible "thumper" area. I was shocked when I came here in the late 70's and saw all of the underage drinking, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, cursing in the public, etc. This was years ago. Now, multiply it times 10 and add illegal drugs and laws against them not being enforced and other criminal activities. Not in line with the Bible I know. Seriously, anyone with any sort of moral code coming into the state would be a welcome. I sometimes think people become confused and feel that "conservative" means Bible "thumpers" which it does not.

Add marrying very young and often (think third and fourth marriages) to your list. These traits and bad habits are commonplace in the southern bible belt states, Arkansas, East Texas, Louisiana, MS, BAMA, Kentucky, SC all come to mind.

Kansas still does rank in the top 15 most religious states in the U.S.

Mississippi: 61 percent
Utah: 60 percent
Alabama: 57 percent
Louisiana: 56 percent
South Carolina: 54 percent
Tennessee: 54 percent
Georgia: 52 percent
Arkansas: 51 percent
North Carolina: 50 percent
Oklahoma: 49 percent
Kentucky: 49 percent
Texas: 48 percent
Idaho: 47 percent
Nebraska: 47 percent
Kansas: 47 percent
South Dakota: 46 percent
North Dakota: 46 percent
Indiana: 46 percent
Missouri: 44 percent
Virginia: 44 percent
Iowa: 43 percent
West Virginia: 42 percent
Florida: 42 percent
Minnesota: 42 percent
Ohio: 41 percent
New Mexico: 41 percent
Pennsylvania: 41 percent
Michigan: 41 percent
Illinois: 39 percent
Maryland: 39 percent
Wisconsin: 38 percent
Montana: 38 percent
Alaska: 38 percent
Wyoming: 36 percent
New Jersey: 36 percent
Delaware: 36 percent
Arizona: 36 percent
Colorado: 35 percent
Rhode Island: 34 percent
California: 34 percent
New York: 34 percent
District of Columbia: 32 percent
Hawaii: 32 percent
Connecticut: 32 percent
Washington: 32 percent
Nevada: 32 percent
Oregon: 31 percent
Massachusetts: 28 percent
Maine: 24 percent
New Hampshire: 24 percent
Vermont: 22 percent

[EliteStaffingSolutions]

You will be fine in Manhattan, but the overall culture is about as conservative as it could get for a large state college with a prevalent liberal arts program. There is also an army base within a few miles of town, which tends to add to the overall conservative mindset. AT the same time, there is a lot of fun happening all of the time, and you don't see a lot of religion in normal social interactions in my experience.

[onwisconsin23]

Thanks so much, everyone! Much appreciated.