Atheists, Agnostics, and other sundry Nonreligious folk, would you, or do you, live in a small town?

Question

Assuming that the town is predominantly Christian. (Small = 5,000 to 10,000). If you would, would you be outspoken or reserved in your nonbelief?

Answer 1

yes i do, yes i am

Answer 2

I live in what would be considered a large town or small city.  It is predominantly christian here and right in the middle of the god forsaken bible belt.  I am reserved in my non belief just the same as I am reserved in most of my opinions.  It's just my nature.  Where I live wouldn't change that.

Answer 3

I've lived in and frequently visit NYC . I live in a Medium sized town now , 20,000(Shopping malls , Home Depots , Lowes , supermarkets etc.) where a lot of people are Hindu . Rest are mostly Christian / Jewish.

We summer vacation in a very small town ,< 6000 . I guess most people there are Christian . The rest mostly Jews .

I very seldom find a reason to be "outspoken" in my non-belief . It is only when I am confronted by something that is bad that religion has created that I find the reason to speak out . For instance in New York today over 100 animals (goats , turtles, doves , etc.) were rescued from a private home . They were going to be sacrificed in a Santeria religious ritual . The ASPCA had to use the excuse that there were too many farm animals on a private homestead in order to take them . Why the need for the excuse ? Because ritual animal sacrifice is permitted in the USA under "Freedom of Religion" . So when I discuss this story with others I AM outspoken about how superstitious and silly all religions are .

It wouldn't matter which place I was discussing this in . But I do tend to be a bit "easier" on older (70+) people who are just clinging to their religions and want to live in peace  .

Answer 4

<== Atheist. I would not live in a small town because i enjoy living around alot of people. BUT now that you have a small town with the majority of them being christians, i could imagine them shunning me because i am an IMMORAL person who has MANY problems.

Answer 5

I fit that description. I don't run around telling everyone I am an atheist/Buddhist, but I will let them know if they ask. All of my friends know and they are mainly Christian and we get along fine. There are a few out there that tell me I am going to h**l if I don't change. I just smile and tell them I do not believe in h**l.

Answer 6

He he, Salem, Oregon.

It isn't a small town, but there is an extremely small atheist population and a large Christian one.

I can always go up to Portland though, much better over there...

Answer 7

I live in a town EXACTLY like that, except the population is slightly higher. If anyone asks, I will tell them what I believe in, so far, I've gotten several ignorant responses, but it's ok, they just don't know or aren't practicing what they preach, which is tolerance.

Answer 8

I would only be outspoken if they were to challenge my thoughts and beliefs.  And yes unfortunately, I do live in a small town.

Answer 9

No, I live in a place of nearly 60,000 people. The people here are diverse and don't really care if you're religious or not. That is until a person gets their rights trampled or someone tramples a person's rights.

Answer 10

For about six more hours (I'm moving to college tomorrow morning), I will be living in Stanley, Wisconsin, with a population of just under 2,000. It's a very conservative (Mike Huckabee dominated this town in the primary) town, and very Christian. I am pretty outspoken. I proudly wear my "Imagine No Religion" shirt any chance I get.  

Answer 11

Lol.  I grew up in a town of 7,000 people, and 23 baptist churches.... no lie.  And they were SOUTHERN baptists..... yup i am an athiest agnostic from mississippi.  Talk about a black sheep.  It wasnt that bad, except none of the christian girls would date me.  And im  usually pretty reserved in my non-belief.  I dont want to be that annoying athiest type that flaunts their nonbelief.... they are as bad as the annoying christian type that flaunt their belief.  But i did get outspoken when they tried to say they were some how morally superior to me just because i didnt believe in god.  I had to remind them that god in the old testament was EXTREMELY violent, and that most countries with an athiest majority have extremely low crime levels and violence.   But this rarely ever happened.  All in all, its not as bad as you would think.  I dont regret anything really..... except not having a girlfriend until moving to college where girls were open to dating non-christian boys... (the girls in college were much hotter anyway)

Answer 12

Used to.  I live in Phoenix with 4.5 million people now.  Small towns are boring.

Answer 13

Small Rural Town

Out spoken if spoken to

Answer 14

I grew up near Cleveland, in a town with 80,000 people. I now live in a small town in New Hampshire, and while I agree it's usually boring, it's a lot safer.

The advantage of living in northern New England is people mind their own business. The great thing about this place is religion, while not exactly heaped with the scorn it deserves, is viewed with disdain, and a little suspicion. It might be the unpleasant aftertaste of the Puritan days, with the Salem Witch Trials and all. Overt displays of religion are considered unseemly, even rude, and discussions of being "saved" usually avoided or ignored. There are still those who go door-to-door selling their faith, but they're less persistent than in other parts of the country, and take "no" for an answer.

Needless to say, I have no fear of mentioning my apostasy. It's downright refreshing.

Answer 15

I live in a town with a population of ~100,000 with several surrounding towns with sizable populations as well. I live in the bible belt so there's a church on every block. The majority (probably 95% or greater) here is Christian.

I'm both outspoken and reserved, depending on the company. If I am with people I don't know, I don't try to hide it at all, and sometimes that sparks controversy with strangers. I am reserved because I try to respect the beliefs of those close to me-- mostly because they don't push their beliefs on me.

Answer 16

Yes, I do and I am outspoken. I don't believe in lying or promoting lies such as religion. I don't hide. If people can have their beliefs I can have what I know.

Besides, I value my privacy in a small place. Not too many minds throwing energy around to s***w with my head. Empaths live easier at night. Less energy coming at you. Your mind can be at ease and quiet.

Answer 17

I didn't know there were any small towns left. When I did live in one, it did not matter how quiet you were, everyone knew your business.  

Answer 18

I wouldn't live in such a place.  I prefer big cities, and I prefer being around lots of like-minded people.

____

Answer 19

People know them now and even some of the most religious nutters in this small city of 20,000 know and respect me where they realize they can't trust a lot of their fellow Christians .

Answer 20

I prefer suburban places.  I would not be vocal if I lived in a small predominantly Christian town, and I'm not vocal otherwise either.

Answer 21

I live in a small town, the population of the exact town I live in is 127 we are somewhat near ( within 9 miles) a larger town of just over 13,000...   Both communities are 85%+ christian, I am very outspoken regarding my beliefs, there is no reason to hide who I am...   If others (christians etc.)  have a problem with who I am that's their problem...

Answer 22

Pagans should be included too.

I live in a small town. I keep my mouth shut. It's really none of their business who I worship.

Answer 23

I live in a relatively small town, but even though a majority of the community is Christian, it is a very artsy, progressive little hippie town as well. There is a small, but active Pagan community, so I am in the minority, but I am not completely alone either.  

I am fairly reserved about my beliefs because of my career path and role in the community that I have. I've learned from my past mistakes.

The town I live in actually has more religious diversity than any other small town in California, but I've learned to pick and choose my battles.  

Answer 24

I do live in a small town, and I keep my mouth shut on my beliefs unless asked or people try to force their c**p down my throat.

Answer 25

if i lived in a small town with a christian majority i would be reserved in my nonbelief since those crazy christians out there might burn my house down

Answer 26

Yes I would. The stars are clearer, the pace of life is slower, and you can grow your own food. I'd be reserved.  

Answer 27

I do for a little while yet (small town in WI)... movin' to Tempe, AZ by the end of the year.

Beatles guy- you best watch them rednecks- they put up one h**l of a barfight (not that i'd do any different).

Answer 28

In theory, sure.  I grew up in a town with a population of about 3000.  However, if the christians in the town were small-minded bigots, then I think I would rather live elsewhere, I can choose the quality of my neighbors.

And yes, I would be just as outspoken as I am now, sometimes it's lonely being right, but that wouldn't make me change my mind, only evidence can do that.