As a self-taught chef, I loved Anthony Bourdain's books and show. What I also liked about him was his unapologetic comments about religion. I live in the bible belt and navigate (sometimes, not so successfully) the tricky waters between being respectful and speaking my truth. How do you handle these situations?
2
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
2 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.If I'm asked, I will share. Otherwise I keep my mouth shut.
AstralSmoke
Level 8
June 12, 2018
0
First thing I would do is move out of the Bible Belt. I know ... easier said than done, particularly if you have family ties.
Here in the NorthEast, basically no one asks me about my religious beliefs, the discussion of religion and politics is considered in bad taste unless specifically invited and mutually agreed upon, and it is unprofessional to go on about it at work for sure.
Apart from my immediate family there are 3 people who know I'm an unbeliever and they don't care. It came up because another atheist in a group of men I hang with once a week asked me in front of the others. I didn't mind admitting to it. No one has treated me differently because of it, despite that one of them belongs to the Salvation Army Church, which is pretty fundamentalist.
But the joke in my town is that even the Baptists are liberal.
mordant
Level 8
June 11, 2018
1
Thanks for the reply. I grew up in the Northeast and find the Southeast and it's obsession with religion disturbing. Unfortunately, many places in the NE are so expensive to live these days. I have a lovely home on 6 delightful, serene acres and that is my solitude. But, some interactions with fundamentalists can be challenging.
@Trixie2You Yeah property and school taxes are brutal here in NY state. More than triple what I paid in Illinois, Indiana or Arizona for homes of similar value, at least in urban areas. You do get somewhat better social safety nets in exchange, but not nearly 3x as much, that's for sure.
My compromise might be a rural setting right here, as property values are a lot less; but then if I'm going to be among the fundamentalists like that, I suppose I might as well be among them anywhere. Still, there's a certain special vibe about the rural South that at least seems worse.
Anyway, I'm still actively working in IT, and I need really fast and reliable Internet. In this country, that doesn't go with rural or even distant suburban living very well.
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.