<p>well obviously with Carolina being in the so-called Bible Belt, I imagine quite a large majority of the students are Christian/fairly religious. How prominent is it in daily life?</p>
<p>I am an passionate atheist who believes the concept of organized was a terrible idea and that logic and reason and rationality always triumph faith. That being said, I have absolutely no problem rooming with/hanging out with religious people and am 100% tolerant of others' choices. I'm just curious as to how serious the students are because I enjoy having intellectual debates about the nature of god and why people believe in the first place with my friends. I wouldn't be too thrilled if the norm was religion ever took precedent over reason.</p>
<p>For a southern school, UNC is definitely liberal. There are a good amount who are religious and also a good amount who are not religious at all. If you look at the Roommate thread on the UNC Class of 2015 facebook group, the majority of responses are along the lines of ‘technically i have a religion but it’s not really a big deal to me’. There people on both ends of the spectrum and also people firmly in the middle. From everything I’ve heard, any concerns you have about religion are really a non issue at UNC.</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat as you, buttermilk, and I definitely second everything jessimo had to say. I know a large chunk of people going to Carolina next year (including myself), at least 40+ people, and… the majority of them are either nonreligious or rational and moderate. To be fair, it is a big school, so I’m positive you’ll find some extremists – but that’s the case anywhere. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I happen to find the argumentative atheists at UNC just as annoying as the pushy evangelicals. Religion will only be an issue for you if you make it one. Try to respect people’s beliefs, and most (not all) will respect yours in return. Positive results rarely come from an argument over religion.</p>
<p>My 2014 boyfriend is agnostic, as are most of his good friends. But I’m from NC, and many kids from my school at Chapel Hill are very Baptist/nondenominational (aka evangelical) and have likewise found a peer group of very religious Southerners. I imagine that many sororities (perhaps frats?) are primarily Christian, since many wealthier Southerners are, but otherwise, I can’t think of a group that stands out as particularly Bible Belt-ish.</p>
<p>I think the school is so large that you’ll end up in a/n a/religious group depending on your preferences just because people surround themselves with those like them.</p>
<p>In my last year here religion has not once come up in any conversation unless I brought it up it first. Individuality and freedom is really important to UNC students so most people want to see you have a string person belief system as long as you aren’t trying to push them to join/agree with you. Like tarheel151 said, Religion is anonissue unless you make it one.</p>
<p>I agree with you so much @Tarheel151
I kind of get annoyed with the mentality that it is alright to be an argumentative non-religious person, but not to be an argumentative religious person. </p>
<p>But on the topic, Carolina is a big school, you shouldn’t have a problem for whatever is your POV.</p>
<p>At least you will have your sundays free.</p>
<p>Seconding that it’s a nonissue but that also you should always make sure to be respectful, even if you’ve had negative experiences. I happily live with a Catholic person as well as a Lutheran and some atheists. Just as you wouldn’t like it if a religious person tried to convert you, they feel the same way.</p>
<p>I feel like atheism is just another way to attack Christianity. I’ve never heard an atheist talk about how “ridiculous” other religions are. Its always about how God didnt create the world in 6 days and Mary couldnt have been a virgin etc. Its perfectly acceptable for you guys to call our belief fake and hypocritical but when one rouge neoconservative does says offensive we all get blamed for it.</p>
<p>And I absolutely hate the word “religious”. What’s that supposed to mean anyway? We’re committed Christians, thats all. Not ppl that show up on Easter and go through the church calisthenics. </p>
<p>LIke others said, if you dont want it to be an issue dont make it an issue.</p>
<p>Someone not believing in God has no effect on Christianity. It’s not an attack, it’s someone’s personal belief. That’s like saying Christianity is an attack on Atheism. It’s specific people, not overall beliefs that attack others’ beliefs. I just had to say that because I don’t really understand where you’re coming from there.</p>
<p>That being said, PLEASE don’t turn this into a religious argument because that’s completely not what this thread is about.</p>