Where are you from, and how does your community accept religion?

Question

I am from Northeast Ohio in the U.S. I live in the "Bible Belt" - people from out of town joke that while in the city there is a bar on every corner, where I live there is a Church on every corner. I find that there are people of all views here and all levels of acceptance. You can find those who seek out souls to save, and those who completely reject religion altogether. I would say you can live a long happy life with any belief in this area, without too much controversy as long as you don't throw your views onto people. What about where you are from? Would you say that religion makes a big difference as to how people treat you, where you are from? Do people react negatively to people who are not of the main religion in your area?

Answer 1

I'm from Western Pennsylvania, midway between Pittsburgh and Erie. It would appear that we are practically neighbors!

I live in a very small town, population less than 600, and we boast 4 churches. One is Pentecostal, one is Methodist, one
I'm not sure of, and the other is non-denominational.

My small family is atheist, and we are the only ones in town. Surprisingly, that doesn't make us outcasts at all, except with other members of my family. The women at the Methodist church are very friendly, and their pastor is a woman who used to babysit my children. We've been friends for years.

Occasionally, my youngest will attend their vacation Bible School. They don't try to convert him from his beliefs, they simply accept that they have an atheist in their midst and treat him as they would any of the other children.

Two years ago I became diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and when it first started it affected every joint in my body. I was terribly ill, wracked with pain and unable to even go down my steps to leave the house. Somehow, the women of the Methodist church found out about this and began purchasing and delivering to my family groceries from their Angel Food Ministries program. Over that awful summer, they supplied us with 3 boxes of groceries per month, and other household products, so that I wouldn't be burdened with trying to get out to go shopping.

As a single mom on a tight budget and with no car, this was much appreciated. Occasionally, they would come visit with me, and yes, they asked if they could pray with me. I always allowed it. There was no reason to be rude, they were genuinely concerned, and desired to do something to help.

The aid didn't stop there. On numerous other occasions the church has surprised my little family with gifts of money, food, or clothing.One lady took me to lunch and presented me with a nice pair of slacks, a shirt, and shoes so that I would be able to attend a woman's day brunch at the church with her. This wasn't in any way an attempt to convert me, she simply wanted me to join her for brunch because her own daughter lives in Florida and obviously couldn't attend.

She is also the same woman who hired me to give her house a thorough spring cleaning the year before I became ill. I was thrilled at the offer of $100 for the job. Her house was easy to clean, the job went quickly, and she worked beside me as we washed walls and scrubbed floors. Imagine my astonishment when I was presented with a check that paid me the agreed upon $100----for each room. She insisted that was our deal and wouldn't discuss the issue any further.

The Pentecostal church is located right by my mother's house, and it's not unusual to be sitting on the porch and have the ladies stop by for a vist after services. Everyone's quite friendly.

As I've stated, the only people who have ever reacted negatively to my family being atheists are other members of my own family. A Baptist minister stops by my house every May to see if I've changed my view, and if my family would like to join his congregation. At first he seemed slightly put-off that we are atheists, but he's come to accept it. He always says that it never hurts to check, and his wife was very helpful when I first started homeschooling my children.

Obviously, my atheism in no way makes me an outcast in my little community. I'm sure that mine is not the only family to receive aid from the church on occasion, so I've never seen their goodwill as an attempt at conversion, or trying to show that Christians aren't so bad. They are simply friendly, generous people willing to help out the less well-off members of the community.

Answer 2

Yeah, well I live in Georgia - where there's a bar AND a church on every corner. :p

Seriously though - religion is the thing around here. I know three people who claim to be agnostic, and apathetic agnostics at that... they just don't really care.

I'm an atheist. I am the only one I know in "real life" as opposed to online. I have had a few not-so-bad (though I wouldn't say "good") experiences with theists finding out I'm an atheist, and a few more bad ones.

I haven't been discriminated against at work or had friends dump me or anything like that yet. Hopefully that won't happen.

Answer 3

I am from Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghanistan's population is 100% Muslim with very small numbers of Buddhists. Our last Jew died a couple of years ago.

Even though a great majority of Afghans around me are Muslims I have had the chance to work in one office with Jews, Christians and even Atheist. I have observed that when they come to my country their idea about Islam and Afghanistan is very different than what they see and leave with. Some people still think of Islam as some voodoo thing. Well that is mostly because of a lack of understanding and the way media portrays things.

Afghans have no problems with any religion or belief or culture as long as they don’t force their beliefs and way of thinking on us. But if they find out that some one is doing so then they can be nasty.

I personally have no problems with other religions and atheists. I have had their followers as my advisors, supervisors and subordinates. I do talk to them to know their beliefs and explain to them what we believe in, when asked. It has helped me a lot to understand other cultures and beliefs.

The most interesting to me have been the atheists to me as they only believe in logical justifications. Islam being a religion that accepts logic and the chance to discuss related issues has been very interesting to them.


Peace

Answer 4

I am from the Northern midwest part of Montana, USA. Although we have alot of different religions here, I am a born again Christian, and am married to a man who used to be from the Hutterite religion. Here in Montana "Big Sky Country" we have many Hutterite Colony's around and many people from them are being ex-communicated because they are choosing to follow the true Gospel of Jesus Christ instead of a traditional religion. We don't really follow a religion, but instead follow the true word of God in the Bible, although us women in our group dress like the Mennonite women and wear head coverings when we pray or witness to others. We also fellowship with other ex-Hutterites and the Mennonites. We live in a small town and everyone knows everyone, so yes, they know what beliefs we follow and don't seem to mind. Some have even been witnessed to and saved.

Answer 5

Northern KY. The "Buckle" of the Bible Belt (as my father calls it). Very Conservative Christian, though I do have several friends within this community, there's always those couple of people who ruin it. Outside of those few people, most stick to themselves and don't bother about what religion their neighbor is. But I do have to say, I'm tired of getting those Christian Videos left on my front porch. My Christian friends really enjoy them, but it's become an annoyance to me. =)

My religion only seems to make others react negatively online. People are very bold when they don't have to worry about meeting someone face to face on the matter.

Answer 6

I am not interested in weather or not anyone accepts religion here in Southern California or not, i have a very personal relationship with the almighty. I believe in the written word in the Bible as it is. I have learned that some religions start believing in their own writings so to keep my own sanity i stay with my family who believes the same.

Answer 7

i live in the middle east n we hve a mix of diff religions hindus, christians , muslims , jews. nope ppl dun react ne diff 2 ppl here 4m ne religion as long as u abide by the laws here. where i live is a tourist attraction n many westeners come here 4 vacations.we hve mosques on every corner but we also hve temples n churches. n ppl r allowed 2 follow wateva dey want.

Answer 8

I live in England and it's normal to be an atheist here. I can only think of half a dozen people I know personally who are religious. Theists are generally regarded as slightly odd and potentially sinister.

Answer 9

I'm from Scotland and religion has really been reduced to a non issue. Our country has gone from being staunchly presbyterian to secular in the space of half a century and I think it's a good thing.

Answer 10

that is not suitable what faith will settle for the gay community its the actuality that GOD will settle for you no rely what that counts, in spite of everything you're his creation, he made you appropriate and diverse extra effectual yet somebody in basic terms like everybody else on earth. Screw faith, this is manipulated by technique of guy no longer GOD. as long as you have an inner and non secular connection with GOD this is all that counts.