Hello all, it's been a while for me. Had a question for my southern US friends. Had a quick question for those who live in the good old 'bible belt' geographic area. Are you socially accepted down there by our christian citizens?
I ask this because I recently visited Gatlinburg (I live in Michigan) and my friends and I kept remarking on how nice everyone in the south was. They were much kinder and more friendly than everyone else in our state--not that this would be hard. On our way back, however, we did debate if they would have been cool with us all being atheists.
Let me know what you think.
North Carolinian here. I'm sorta closeted (I don't deny it, but I don't advertise that I'm an atheist), so few people I deal with know that I'm an atheist. I'd imagine that it wouldn't go over terribly well with family - a big chunk of one side is extremely religious (we're talking YECs and Billy Graham fans), the other not so much. I've told coworkers a couple times, and the reactions range from mild disapproval to no big deal. There's a bit of a generational gap.
So basically, it varies. But my overall impression is that atheists aren't particularly well liked here, though that varies by region and age.
I think there's some truth to the southern hospitality idea. Don't get me wrong, there are still assholes, but most people will hold doors open and help out in minor stuff and be relatively nice. People will still explode when pressed, but the baseline is pretty amiable compared to say, D.C. or New York.
It's just that atheism is still kinda taboo here, like being gay or trans. Some people won't care, but some people will give you dirty looks. It sucks, but times are changing and Generation X and younger are much less hostile.
I have heard bad things about Midwest people ... so don't believe stereotypes.
I also live in North Carolina. Family and friends know, some coworkers know, anyone who pays attention to my Facebook comments knows. I almost never say "I'm an atheist" but if I engage in topics about philosophy or religion it becomes apparent I'm not religious. I've had people send me sermons, I've had people not care, I've had people agree, I had one coworker burst into tears but often I get this kind of general sense of disappointment. My husband has said he really wishes I believed in God, especially when he has had cancer because I could pray, but he also says he knew from the beginning and to expect me to change was unrealistic.
My cousins have offered to prove God exists by sending me to see him. They don't say that out loud any more.
The farther you get from paved roads and electric lights the more likely you are to run into someone who'll make an issue out of believing anything other than what they believe. (This is a state of mind thing more than a geographic one.)
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on August 17, 2016, 08:37:27 PM
My cousins have offered to prove God exists by sending me to see him. They don't say that out loud any more.
The farther you get from paved roads and electric lights the more likely you are to run into someone who'll make an issue out of believing anything other than what they believe. (This is a state of mind thing more than a geographic one.)
(http://t.fod4.com/t/88afa1bcb5/c640x360_54.jpg)
Relatives?
I live in Texas. I have to keep my lack of faith a secret or else my parents would cut me off from seeing my sister. My family, immediate and extended, considers church attendance to be "the most important thing." (That's a quote from my grandmother.) The younger generation is far less bigoted than the older generation, and are more likely to accept atheists, but the Bible belt is far from being a welcoming area for open atheists.
Quote from: stromboli on August 17, 2016, 10:07:54 PM
Relatives?
I get more of a Hatfield picture when Gawdzilla talks about his relatives.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/HatfieldClan.jpg)
Quote from: PopeyesPappy on August 17, 2016, 11:44:29 PM
I get more of a Hatfield picture when Gawdzilla talks about his relatives.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/HatfieldClan.jpg)
Lotta happy faces in that bunch. Even the dog looks kinda somber.
Meh, too many teeth.
Fortunately I live in the Tornado Belt instead of the Bible Belt.
Im not an advertiser of it, but if people ask I am open. I've only once gone out of my way to let someone know, and they felt really bad about being judgemental, thats what I was going for.
Quote from: shadowsfall on August 17, 2016, 05:42:25 PM
Hello all, it's been a while for me. Had a question for my southern US friends. Had a quick question for those who live in the good old 'bible belt' geographic area. Are you socially accepted down there by our christian citizens?
I ask this because I recently visited Gatlinburg (I live in Michigan) and my friends and I kept remarking on how nice everyone in the south was. They were much kinder and more friendly than everyone else in our state--not that this would be hard. On our way back, however, we did debate if they would have been cool with us all being atheists.
Let me know what you think.
What do you think? I presume most atheists tend to hang out with other like minded people and, go figure, Christians look down upon them, most likely call them "damaged", "corrupt", "in need of Jesus". I'd recommend getting out of the states ASAP and move to a much more progressive and peaceful society live Norway or Denmark. Scandinavian countries are largely atheistic.
I have always been open about it, but then I have never lived in the bible belt of the country I live in.
I'm open about it, and it has never been an issue in Central Texas.
Quote from: Shiranu on August 19, 2016, 07:31:41 AM
I'm open about it, and it has never been an issue in Central Texas.
Austin, right? Not real Texas.
I never, ever talk about it. If asked directly, I turn the question around. "So, how about you?" So far, that's worked perfectly.
Quote from: Baruch on August 17, 2016, 07:46:24 PM
I have heard bad things about Midwest people ... so don't believe stereotypes.
I see what you did there.
I have lived in Michigan, Washington, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. None of these states have nicer people than any other state. I have met peeps from all over the world and they are not any less better than any one else….shit be that some people are assholes. Maybe you meet 4 of them from the same area in one week. Don't fret. Most people are pretty nice.
In my experience social acceptance has been largely dependent on whether or not I am in a rural setting versus an urban setting and not a specific geographic area. Having grown up in and around Austin, TX, being a nonbeliever was never an issue. Where I currently reside, in rural Indiana, the reaction is different. It is pity, curiosity, disbelief, etc rather than pitchforks and knives. There is an awkwardness too. Especially when it comes to things like group prayer or not standing for God Bless America. There are always those that try to proselytize once they discover I'm an atheist. That is probably the most annoying reaction. I am not ostracized by society though; forced to wear the scarlet A. While I am open about it, I don't advertise my lack of faith. Like a previous poster stated it usually becomes apparent when religion and philosophy are being discussed or they straight out ask.
I have lived near St. Louis since March, '07, and the religion issue has never come up in my day-to-day life. I hear "Have a blessed day", which I take as a concession to the religious who wanted something to say that sounded religious but didn't actually mention religion.
And yeah, even that has its limits. Once or twice people have glared at me for not replying in kind. Very small number, so I don't count it as significant.
Out in the rural areas, you are judged solely by the church you go to. Be introduced to someone new, and one of the first questions you may be asked is "where y'all church?"
My favorite response (when I don't really care whom I offend) is to tell them "I'm a god fearing atheist" and watch the waves of confusion wash over their face. Learned that one from my mother, a very outspoken women when women were 'supposed' to be seen but not heard, and certainly not to have an opinion.
Cities and larger town, not much of an issue, and you find there are many like minded people around, or if they are not an atheist, they have zero use for religion.
For what it is worth, if not believing in their fairy tale is not acceptable to them, then they are too ignorant and hateful to associate with, and I am happier with their absence.
OBTW, NC native here......
I lived in Texas, North Carolina and Virginia for many years when I was an atheist and never had a problem. I've also been deep into Hillbilly country along the Appalachians with no issues. In fact, I find rural southern folk to be very nice people as a whole.
Used to be a big deal here in the Faroes, but LGBT kinda included religous tolerance and freedom of belief in its very succesful movement. I can't complain.
I am in rural Arkansas, most people I am around are religious and educated (I go to a christian university). When I tell people I am not the same as them, first they are disturbed, then they try and argue with me, then they dont mention it again like ever again
And then they just shun you in ways you don't see at first, LOL!
Well yeah, I am certain I would lose my jobs if it became public knowledge. I am a desk assistant (in application process to be an RA), a teaching assistant for freshman chemistry, and a research assistant
Quote from: Contemporary Protestant on October 27, 2016, 01:31:07 AM
Well yeah, I am certain I would lose my jobs if it became public knowledge. I am a desk assistant (in application process to be an RA), a teaching assistant for freshman chemistry, and a research assistant
But that couldn't possibly ever happen. Job discrimination based on religious beliefs is against the law.*
*Warning: May contain sarcasm.
I personally keep it a secret because the moment you tell some one around here is the moment they start jamming it down your throat. Christians are very pushy with there belief around here.
Move to where you are accepted...
Quote from: Cavebear on October 29, 2016, 01:39:59 AM
Move to where you are accepted...
My bedroom? My cat accepts me, nobody else (well they accept me when my words and actions match the group think (natch)) ... any deviant words and deviant actions are not accepted (in any group think). I would be a non-violent Unabomber, except I am allergic to forests. This is the basis of segregation (in America, each American would be in a Ghetto-of-One). The SJWs will never accept free association with people you like and people who like you ... because that would be bigoted.
So the recent thing at Berkeley, where non-White students have a protest, and they don't let anyone cut thru their occupy zone (unless you are non-White) is free association (of letting people cut thru) ... so no reason why Bill Jim Bob can't exclude those non-White folks from his bar etc ... because non-White folks trigger him (blade cuts both ways, idiots!).
Quote from: Cavebear on October 29, 2016, 01:39:59 AM
Move to where you are accepted...
...and learn to speak Swedish? Nah. I speak two languages, English and bad English.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on October 30, 2016, 06:08:10 AM
...and learn to speak Swedish? Nah. I speak two languages, English and bad English.
I tried to become bilingual, but I forgot I need to be monolingual first ;-)
Quote from: Baruch on October 30, 2016, 08:27:49 AM
I tried to become bilingual, but I forgot I need to be monolingual first ;-)
Picture not related.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKtTWXKtCEE/U2Sswez_sgI/AAAAAAAAIBY/sjL_7tMS-7o/s1600/SIFT+Image.jpg)
Religious folks, find Pentecostals unnerving, because it reminds them that their religiosity is fake. Kind of like when a fat girl sees a Playboy model.
Quote from: Baruch on October 30, 2016, 09:02:13 AM
Religious folks, find Pentecostals unnerving, because it reminds them that their religiosity is fake. Kind of like when a fat girl sees a Playboy model.
"The WHOLE Gospel from the WHOLE Church."
I'm in South Carolina so if anyone starts any shit with me over it I tell em, 'You go to your church and I won't. ' and leave it at that. It's tough to swing a cat by its tail here without hitting a church.
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on October 30, 2016, 02:11:24 PM
I'm in South Carolina so if anyone starts any shit with me over it I tell em, 'You go to your church and I won't. ' and leave it at that. It's tough to swing a cat by its tail here without hitting a church.
I resent that about swinging a cat by it's tail. Cats are atheists. Dogs are theists.