Religion in Montana? (Bozeman, Hamilton: transplants, school, living)

[Humanandneedtobeloved]

How religious is the average Montanan? I have heard it is a surprisingly irreligious state, much less religious than its neighbor, North Dakota, which is the most Christian state in America.

[ElkHunter]

Montana is not, as you say, irrelegious. Nor is it religious. This is, 2011 and it would not really make it any difference what year. IT's more of a state that is mixed between "I believe in my maker, and I really don't believe in who and what you believe in."

Religion is a standardized practice that requires a temple, church, or whatever to exclaime your excitement within his house. Yes, those exist.

I think you'll find one town deep in one and another town deep in another.

But every one of them talk to somebody, when the temp hits -40. It may not be the same somebody, but they talk to somebody.

[Walter Greenspan]

There are many Christian churches, a handful of synagogues (including one shul) and one (maybe two) mosque(s), but, except for the Hutterites, Menonites and the one Orthodox rabbi and his family in Bozeman, overall the folks are not religious (I'm basing this on the number of folks living together as a sign of not being religious).

[Mt-7]

Losta Lutheran Mafia...

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by Humanandneedtobeloved

How religious is the average Montanan? I have heard it is a surprisingly irreligious state, much less religious than its neighbor, North Dakota, which is the most Christian state in America.

Considering that Montana draws (IMO) a much greater percentage of out-of-state transplants (from states like Nevada) than N>D>.............to me it would tend to possibly have more folks that have come from areas (states) that are known to be highly non-religious. Where as N.D. would most likely have a more static population composed of ethnic backgrounds that are normally associated with a high percentage of God-fearing, hard working types (farmers, ranchers etc) (i.e. Germans, Poles, Italians, Irish etc.

All I can tell you is that here in Hamilton this past Good Friday Noon Mass at the Catholic Church.....it was standing room only. Same thing for today's Easter Sunday's 3 masses.

I personally don't think it should be labled as an "irreligious state" based on my experiences over the last 32 years of living and traveling to many parts of the state on business and pleasure (thus, a variety of personal contacts).

[MSPLove]

No more or less than another place.

In my area of Wisconsin, they aren't more or less religious than anywhere else, but I'd say people are highly Lutheran here. That's the dominant religion and the religion most of my older relatives were raised in.

[dread_siren]

I've actually noticed more religion in the out of staters in my neck of the woods... most are "non religious" just live and do your best kinda people. most church here is for social, better than the bar I guess... lol

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Walter Greenspan

There are many Christian churches, a handful of synagogues (including one shul) and one (maybe two) mosque(s), but, except for the Hutterites, Menonites and the one Orthodox rabbi and his family in Bozeman, overall the folks are not religious (I'm basing this on the number of folks living together as a sign of not being religious).

Shul is yiddish for synagogue, Walter. All synagogues are shuls, even Reform synagogues.

[Walter Greenspan]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

Shul is yiddish for synagogue, Walter. All synagogues are shuls, even Reform synagogues.

While shul is Yiddish for synagogue, I was using the term in its colloquial sense to differentiate a small Orthodox place of worship from a Conservative synagogue or a Reform synagogue or temple, that typically also include a catering hall and classrooms for the afternoon Hebrew school, that are not normally associated with a shul.

For those interested in more information, see Judaism 101: Synagogues, Shuls and Temples