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My family came from the same part of the country as you and one of the reasons we chose NH was *because* there are so many non-religious. I think it's second after Vermont in terms of non-practicing religious folks in the country.
There are a lot of Catholics, a lot of spill over from MA.
New Hampshire is tied with Maine for being the second-least religious state Vermont is #1, Mass is #4. You would not know it from all the beautiful churches and I really miss the bells ringing the hour.
I now live in Colorado, religion is not that big here, but there are no pretty churches, no bells, and 3 different jesus-rock stations interfere with my reception of NPR. People do ask about your religion here, which I found shocking. I tried to skirt the subject saying I was a Unitarian Universalist (really an atheist but I like the UU) and the person said "That sounds like something you made up." Ugggh...
New England generally leans toward the scientifically minded, so interactions with religious people are typically courteous. We do teach our kids to be sensitive of other people's beliefs, and impress on them how lucky we are to live in the United States and in New England, that there were times and there are places where you would be killed for believing or disbelieving the wrong things.
Religion is a non issue in NH (except for a few jerks including a boss that fired me for getting ill and because I refused to be proselytized) but politics is a state wide sport. I am an evil Liberal and work for most of the Democratic Party goals (except gun control). I work against the Religious fanatics that have infested the GOP with their bigotry. Many of my friends are staunch old fashioned Republicans and we get along just fine.
I think you will find the social climate very accepting but somewhat scarce as the population of Chicago is several time the population of the entire State NH. Take some time to visit. I suggest after schools are in session and before the Invasion of the dreaded Leaf Peepers. Early September is a good time.
Religion is pretty much a non issue. In fact, I have heard more concerns about several coworker's strong Christian beliefs than I have about others' atheist sway. We occasionally go to church and the coffee hour conversations were more about politics, local issues/events and the weather. I don't think God or Jesus ever came up, even in the church. As others have said, you would take more heat for promoting an income tax or developing a new McMansion subdivision complete with box stores than you would pronouncing yourself an atheist at a town meeting.
New England generally leans toward the scientifically minded, so interactions with religious people are typically courteous. We do teach our kids to be sensitive of other people's beliefs, and impress on them how lucky we are to live in the United States and in New England, that there were times and there are places where you would be killed for believing or disbelieving the wrong things.
science? as in the religion of evolution? .. yeah that's science..lol
science? as in the religion of evolution? .. yeah that's science..lol
Science as opposed to faith-based, and a populace who generally realize that their beliefs are based in faith. I also used "scientifically minded" in contrast to the ubiquitous "atheist" since it seems odd to define one's philosophical stance (if you will) in the context of others' beliefs, however widespread. I wouldn't define myself as a non-unicornist, for instance. I imagine 500 years from now the defining minority term will be "theist" ... and may they live in peace without persecution or oppression.
I am in the process of considering moving to the Northeast from my present location, which for those who are interested in where that is it is Chicago.
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I am an Atheist, I fully respect people's beliefs and have no intention of forcing mine on them, however as one can imagine this has caused me some issues where I live. From people trying to covert me to general hate mail etc. from my community. Obviously it varies from area to area in any state but my current home has simply not become a home of late.
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Who, in Chicago, would ever care whether or not you're an atheist?
That you've been persecuted for atheism in Chicago is one of the silliest things I've heard and I can only guess that you are being very selective in the details of your story.
Chicago is the city of the big shoulders and religiously intolerant
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsChicago
Who, in Chicago, would ever care whether or not you're an atheist?
That you've been persecuted for atheism in Chicago is one of the silliest things I've heard and I can only guess that you are being very selective in the details of your story.
I've been persecuted in Chicago for not being a christian, it doeshappen. Remember this?
Discrimination isn't always as overt as having your holiday display blocked by a giant "Angels" banner, your garage set aflame or being passed over for a promotion, see this study, http://www.secularismandnonreligion....nload/snr.ad/4
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.. yeah that's science..lol
Chicago is the city of the big shoulders and religiously intolerant
