When did Wiscsonsin's Religion become so In Your Face? (Freedom: high school, college)

[dba07]

Originally Posted by pete6032

OP you seem to have some personal problem/anger with Christianity which you are pushing by making a red herring argument that there are too many Christian billboards on the road for your liking. Don't try and sugar coat it, we know what this thread is about.

Sure, I believe Christianity is nonsense, but that is not what this is about. I'm simply asking when these billboards started appearing. I never perceived WI to be that evangelical.

[601halfdozen0theother]

I'm with the OP.

The upper Midwest has historically been very accepting of a variety of religions, and I think it still is. Historically there have been fewer Baptist churches here than in other parts of the country. But where I live all of a sudden over the past two years a whole bunch of anti-abortion billboards tied to a certain church new to the area have popped up.

So the interesting question is, why has there been this noticeable change over the span of just a few years? That's what OP was asking.

Fundamentalism in many different religions is on the rise. Many people feel powerless and threatened by the modern world. Unfortunately there are some unscrupulous individuals who have taken advantage of these weak people and have gotten money out of them to use for their own purposes. And one of the ways these unscrupulous individuals push their agendas is by putting up these billboards.

The way I want to look at it is, "it's just a few crazies stirring things up, just ignore them." On the other hand, all of us have been observing what happens when religious fundamentalism takes over other countries. And these billboards in our area are just a part of the larger movement of a very aggressive form of religious fundamentalism that has been on the rise in our country, so it's a little scary.

[augiedogie]

Wisconsin, like much of the Midwest is a more religious part of the country as compared to the east or west coast. When I grew up here, my home town was about equally divided between Lutherans and Roman Catholics. Most people belonged to a church, and most went on a regular basis. These two denominations are still very popular in Wis. Just check your telephone book and you'll likely find many of their churches, along with many others. Even very small towns used to have at least one church, most likely Lutheran or Catholic.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by augiedogie

Even very small towns used to have at least one church, most likely Lutheran or Catholic.

One church and three bars.

On Wisconsin!

[Megan1967]

I think 601halfdozen0theother is right on target. I agree that it is the uncertainty of today's economy/employment environment that is the root cause of so many people turning to these kinds of religious groups.

The problem with fundamentalists is they tend to be inflexible and don't have a live and let live attitude - one of the principals this country was founded on. Evangelicalism is definitely on the rise in the Madison area I think we are up to 4 very large non-denominational churches which are evangelical and scores of smaller groups that don't have buildings. I don't really care what other people do or think, but I expect the same attitude in return.

I don't ever want to see a joining of church and state. I don't ever want to have to take an oath or pledge allegiance to a religious group. This is not democracy and it is dangerous.

I am a person of faith myself, by the way, but I believe God to be inclusionary, loving all people. I do not take the bible literally. I had many debates with my father (a Roman Catholic) about whether people, even divinely inspired people, could actually create a piece of writing that was an unadulterated version of God's word. I, personally, don't feel it is possible. People are just too flawed.

[allenk893]

Unlike Britain, we're allowed to share our faith with others and not get arrested for it.

[601halfdozen0theother]

There's a profound difference between sharing your faith with those who are interested and are listening voluntarily, and forcing the views of your faith on others via billboards by the side of the road.

[allenk893]

Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother

There's a profound difference between sharing your faith with those who are interested and are listening voluntarily, and forcing the views of your faith on others via billboards by the side of the road.

That's not forcing anyone. You have a right not to look. And for the record, Atheist do the same.

[601halfdozen0theother]

OK, next time I'll shut my eyes while I'm driving.

[MaseMan]

Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother

There's a profound difference between sharing your faith with those who are interested and are listening voluntarily, and forcing the views of your faith on others via billboards by the side of the road.

Just ignore the billboards if it bothers you so much. Yeesh, what next? Complaining about the ads on the radio that you don't agree with?