Job Discussion Forums

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I am considering teaching in Latin America in 2007, living in the US at present. As far as Latin America goes,I have only limited experience in Mexico. While visiting there, I let my Mexican friends know that I don't believe, which was basically cool, but it felt like the topic was being reserved for future discussion. I like Mexico and could manage there with my "problem" but I would like to know if there is a better alternative.

What I am looking for is a city where the church has the least influence, and where free exchanges of ideas won't be a scandal. I am guessing that I am looking for a large city with lots of foreigners and artsy types. I don't want to unconvert anyone, just live in a good atmosphere. Any ideas (based on experience?)

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

If atheism is your only "political" leaning what are you worrying about? Theres atheists in South America, Liberation Theology even embraces some tentents of Materialism.

The only completely Atheist state in Latin America is Cuba. Smile

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

NikNak · Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 8

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

Yes but the state is atheist, its marxist-leninist. Atheists don't say "We will burn down all churches and kill the priests" as told by 1960s propaganda. They celebrate indigenious, islamic and voodoo traditions too. Nothing wrong with athiest governments.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

In my two-plus years in Mexico, the only person who has ever asked me about my religious beliefs is the annoying Jehovah's Witness who comes knocking on my door once every couple of months.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Calling a state atheist is deceptive. A state doesn't hold beliefs one way or the other. The people who pull the levers - in some places, those people express the will of those they govern - hold such beliefs.

An example - Mexico has very strong laws concerning separation of church and state. Does that make Mexico atheist? Over 90% of the population would call themselves Catholic.

Take Iran as another example. By all counts, an Islamic theocracy. That still doesn't keep individual Iranians from holding whatever belief they would like, including atheism.

Ls650, did you get counted in the census last year? They asked me of my religious orientation.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Hmm, you're right about the census, now that I think about it.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Thanks for the replies. I am probably over-thinking it. Maybe I am just getting crankier in my middle age. I am sure I could find like minded friends in just about any major city. (Maybe even Vatican City, but I am not EU.) Still, if anyone has any opinion about cities in South or Central America which are particularly open, or about places to avoid, I would love to read it.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:14 pm Post subject:

Cuba is a secular state. Athiest is a little imprecise if you ask me...

Justin

PS- in Ecuador, practically everybody is catholic, but it doesn't seem to impact their view on other things very much.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:58 pm Post subject:

I've lived in Chile, Ecuador and Mexico. But Chile was in 1993, Ecuador in 1995, and Mexico since 1998, so I know more about Mexico and my information/experience in Chile and Ecuador are a bit outdated. But of the three I found Chile the least religious. But I was a 20 year old university student, so maybe it was just the circles I moved in. I did have some facinating conversations about religion there. Especially the one that started with a classmate saying to me. (my translation) "I like American clothes, I like American music, I like American food, but what I don't like is the American religion."

Say WHAT?!?!?!?!

Come to find out she thought MORMON was the dominate religion in the US! I had a good time enlightening her on that one. Razz

As for Ecuador, I enjoyed the asbence of mormons, they had been expelled from that country.

In Mexico, I actually married a Catholic in a civil ceremony. Most people don't engage me in conversations about religion. Now that I live far from the center of town and no longer have to hear the Ma�anitas at 5 o'clock in the morning, its not an important factor of my life.

I love Mexico, but Santiago, Chile is a cool city. You might want to check it out.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Sorry, this is off-topic. I got this email.

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

Some states/nations exist under religious law or theocratic governments a la many in the Middle East. Also the Soviet Union actively promoted atheism. It would be false to proclaim that states don't actively take views or even pass laws in regards to religion.

Thankfully, almost all of Latin America is westernized in its view towards religion. Which means elements of religious practice are highly visible, but as mentioned, religion is accepted as private and not something you will be forced or indoctrinated into.

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

MELEE · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject: