Living liberal in Tennessee

[BlueCuzco]

Here's a pop quiz: what would your response be when someone invites you to their church?

Yeah, you'll get that a lot; "church" is part of the culture here.

[jabogitlu]

You know, I've only been invited to someone's church one time, ever. Maybe I don't circulate with the religious crowd?

[sucrose]

Specficer:

On Nashville . . . I'm a liberal atheist/agnostic (depending on mood) and arrived in Nashville two months ago from L.A. where, in my work and social circles, atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, Jews and lapsed fill-in-the-blanks together (and sometimes single-handedly) outnumbered the Christians. It was great!

So far I've not been invited to church or asked about my beliefs but I'm realizing that here in Tennessee, Jesus is sort of like the beloved coach of the cherished football team. Devotion varies but nobody questions his authority. Politeness is highly prized here—much more than in Yankee parts—so any opposition is usually mumbled under one's breath. Churches were here way before Starbucks and MySpace and people have always needed a sense of community but they're slow to change habits.

Those of us who tend to be free-thinking iconoclast types are naturally drawn to bohemian communities. But how big does it have to be to be comfortable? And how comfortable are you being part of the minority? My friends thought I was nuts for moving here but I decided the interior needs more liberal atheists. On the coasts you're just a cliché. Here you get to challenge others beliefs (and your own subsequently) while being an occasional thorn in a side or two.

There are parts of Nashville that feel like they could be in L.A. or Seattle, others that feel totally Stepford. I think you'd like East Nashville, and the surrounding college neighborhoods. No shortage of cute 20-something females. And they do know how to make a good biscuit here.

[jabogitlu]

Here you get to challenge others beliefs (and your own subsequently) while being an occasional thorn in a side or two.

Challenging beliefs is one thing, being a thorn is another. Really, can't we all get along?

Signed,
Another (native) Liberal Atheist.

[Capt. Dan]

If a person is truly "liberal" they wouldnt be a thorn in someones side because liberals "live and let live."

[leonard]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

If a person is truly "liberal" they wouldnt be a thorn in someones side because liberals "live and let live."

It ain't the prickly libs I have problems with, rather the condescension they display.

Kinda like the "free thinking " thing. I prefer thinking with some value to it.

Hopefully TN will continue to avoid that.

[jabogitlu]

Good things are never cheap,let alone free.

(Oops, don't tell my liberal friends I said that!)

[sucrose]

Jeez, and it's the liberals who have the reputation for being humorless?! Don't make me have to use those stupid icons please. And who says liberals "live and let live?" If that were true y'all would still be lynch . . . oops sorry (couldn't resist). Remember we do have a sense of humor. Yeah, lynching--that's a laugh riot, huh?

I have to admit I have yet to be a thorn but anticipate it happening precisely because of this defensiveness. Can't we all get along without having to suppress our beliefs? To me it seems like non-believers here definitely feel a need to be closeted. Atheists are the new gays?

[jabogitlu]

Er, until the gays (yep, I'm one of those, too) actually are accepted into an inclusive society, I don't think atheists can replace us.

But I know what you're saying. Atheists, gays, hell any kind of minority can have trouble in small town America, in EVERY state.

I think we can get along but it's impossible if you're being a thorn in someone's side.