Best Places

[Veloise]

Ran across this link on a forum I just joined. (No, I'm not moving, nor looking.)

http://www.bestplaces.net/

It's soliciting comments about the city. Have at it!

[Rhino6885]

Ran across this link on a forum I just joined. (No, I'm not moving, nor looking.)

http://www.bestplaces.net/

It's soliciting comments about the city. Have at it!

[GRDadof3]

Well the first one you can ignore, because seriously, the fact that they think everyone is "stupid" shows they just have an axe to grind about something. The second is something that I think is a legitimate perception.

[francishsu]

It's a bit hard for me to relate to the intensity of some of the negative comments. While it's true that GR is home to the CRC, it's not like people are trying to shove their religion down my throat. In Boston, I had more direct experiences of recruiters trying to get me to join their fringe religions (Boston Church of Christ, Hare Krishna, etc.).

[NorthCoast]

I really think the region's strong religious ties is something that should be celebrated. The churches and congregations of this region have done A LOT for the city. It is something that is just a part of the city's heritage and culture. No offense but if people don't like it, they should just move elsewhere. I don't have a problem with non-Christians living in GR-region but I do have a problem when they criticize an aspect of the city which has been so integral in it's history. Take it for what it is and if you want to avoid it just stay on the east side

[snoogit]

I really think the region's strong religious ties is something that should be celebrated. The churches and congregations of this region have done A LOT for the city. It is something that is just a part of the city's heritage and culture. No offense but if people don't like it, they should just move elsewhere. I don't have a problem with non-Christians living in GR-region but I do have a problem when they criticize an aspect of the city which has been so integral in it's history. Take it for what it is and if you want to avoid it just stay on the east side

[NorthCoast]

I would say name a city that doesn't have some religious aspect tied to it. There are none.

[GRDadof3]

While religion itself may not lead to uniquness, the congregations, churches, and places of worship themselves still lend themselves in helping GR create a individual character. Where would GR be without places like Fountain Street church or Catholic Central?

Another thing to keep in mind too is that every region of the country is practically dominated by some sort of religion. In West Michigan its the CRC but in a place like NW Ohio its the Lutherans and Utah of course is Mormon.

[francishsu]

atheist or any other. What does that say to potential newcomers, especially those of other religions?

[NorthCoast]

And to say that "if people don't like it, they should just move elsewhere, or stay on the East side" (??) Is that a true Christian viewpoint?

[GRDadof3]

I guess it depends on whether newcomers want to engage with the community. Personally, I tend to keep to myself so maybe that's why being an agnostic in this region has not been a problem for me. I'd rather have churches with strict doctrine be exclusionary and insular, rather than the other extreme of people (who have good intentions) coming to my door and trying to offer me salvation.