Christian Views (Dallas, San Antonio, New Braunfels: living, military, moving) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

SanAntonioBound · 05-11-2008, 02:36 PM

I am just wondering how christianity is viewed in San Antonio and more specifically New Braunfels? For example, does the majority of the pop. have a strong christian faith or is religion not a big deal?

1StarRanch · 05-11-2008, 03:18 PM

I'd be willing to say most of the folks round these parts are Christians. Though, not sure about the flock of foreigners that have come round lately.

ShaneSA · 05-11-2008, 04:17 PM

That's a question with a very broad answer possible. Most people here are kind, considerate and friendly. There's alot of "live and let live" attitude. I think everyone is tolerant of other people's views. I remember when I moved here I was afraid I was moving into the Bible Belt and would experience an intolerance for anything but strict Baptist living. It's not that way at all. If that's the way you want to live, fine, if your more relaxed with religion, fine. Tolerance is the key I've experience here. Be careful, the joy of living here could lead to dancing.

PopsGuysRule · 05-11-2008, 05:39 PM

You will find numerous churches, all along the main highways here in SA. Mostly non-denominational as far as I can tell.

But San Antonio is not a Bible-thumping city. There is so much diversity in population here in San Antonio; we have, I think ?3? active/open military bases (?) - someone will come along and know for sure - and a huge Hispanic population. Hispanics, being PRIMARILY Catholic depend on those churches. And then, there are those of us who have transplanted from large metropolis' and settled here for a sweet reprieve from the rat race. (IMO)

So, you are going to find numerous points of view, numerous religious affiliations, widely varying degrees of church involvement..... like any other 'large' town......
I've yet to personally run into any "Bible thumpers".
There is a very famous authoring pastor who has a large church up on I-10; has a huge congregation, about 4 services on Sundays, and one on Saturday evening, I think.... The pastor is sweet and accessible and a down to earth guy, as are his wife and children...... lots of groups/classes, so that everyone gets served and is exposed to smaller 'congregations'..... they were waaaaay too big for me, but they are real and their faith is real.... it is not a 'show off-look good' church by any stretch of the imagination....
ohhhh yes, and my boyfriend Bruce apparently attends there now and speaks on occasion....... but I am not going back just to see him or hear him.... I'll run him down if I see him on the roads though..... LOLOL... (my boyfriend Bruce is Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs, married, two children and as far from being 'my boyfriend' as the man on the moon.... but a girl can dream.... LOL) (David Robinson and his wife Valerie also attend there.... a retired Spur, who could also play a 'decent' game of basketball... LOL!!! the Admiral!!!!)

hello13685 · 05-12-2008, 09:32 AM

I moved here from California. From my experience, San Antonians are not "Bible thumping" in the traditional sense. Generally, they don't care which Christian church you go to, as long as you go to a Christian church. When you meet people for the first time, they often tell you where they go to church, and ask where you go. It's not that they'd have an issue with the denomination. They just want to rest in knowing that you are a "person of faith," which is quite nauseating to me. In SA, one has the assumption that you go to some kind of church. In California, people would most often not impose that. In that culture, you are more than the church you belong to. As it turns out, church seems to be where most San Antonians meet people for social activities and support, so those who are happiest here probably belong to some kind of church.

sapphire · 05-12-2008, 09:44 AM

I attend church, but it's never a topic of conversation unless it's with someone I know. It never comes up when I first meet someone. The most common question I get asked is, "Which side of town do you live on?" Nobody really seems to care where/if I worship.

SanAntoQT · 05-12-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hello13685

I moved here from California. From my experience, San Antonians are not "Bible thumping" in the traditional sense. Generally, they don't care which Christian church you go to, as long as you go to a Christian church. When you meet people for the first time, they often tell you where they go to church, and ask where you go. It's not that they'd have an issue with the denomination. They just want to rest in knowing that you are a "person of faith," which is quite nauseating to me. In SA, one has the assumption that you go to some kind of church. In California, people would most often not impose that. In that culture, you are more than the church you belong to. As it turns out, church seems to be where most San Antonians meet people for social activities and support, so those who are happiest here probably belong to some kind of church.

Moderator cut: personalThe only time I was ever asked about my religious affiliation was when someone was witnessing to me. I've never been asked this in a social setting or when I'm meeting someone for the first time. No one ever has "imposed" that on me in San Antonio. I'm really curious to know where it is that you're hanging out because, apparently, you're basing your opinion on this limited contact with the people of San Antonio.

hello13685 · 05-12-2008, 10:01 AM

I came directly to San Antonio from CA, so this could be the case in all of Texas, or the whole South, so not just San Antonio. A Californian friend of mine who had moved to Dallas had warned me beforehand that it would happen, though, so I wasn't totally surprised. Nobody has meant harm by asking, and they've been very friendly, but I find bringing up that subject to be a little intrusive early on.

thebigmammoo · 05-12-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hello13685

Nobody has meant harm by asking, and they've been very friendly, but I find bringing up that subject to be a little intrusive early on.

I'm sure they meant well and I agree, it can be a little intrusive at times to someone not used to it. I do think Texans tend to be more open and friendly than most other people and its just their nature to want to get to know others better.

SA definitely has more people "of faith" than not and while every city has "bible bangers" here and there, most people I've come across don't take much offense if you don't go to church every Sunday.

tgannaway89 · 05-12-2008, 02:39 PM

San Antonio is probably one of the more liberal, less-church going cities in Texas today. Having lived in West Texas I know what an overtly religious city can feel like. Most major cities tend to be less religious than smaller cities though. Of course, all this depends on where you live and the people that you are around.