Ask An Atheist: Why is the PNW so unchurched?

What do you want to ask an Atheist?  Fill out the form below or submit your question online. 

By Jim Downard

Why do you think the Pacific Northwest is such an ‘unchurched’ area?

As I’m not religious, I cannot claim by personal experience how “churched” or not the region is compared to others.  I have conducted no rigorous study here.

There does appear to be no shortage of physical churches in Spokane, though, they’re far commoner block on block than Starbuck’s or Zip’s.

Perhaps the questioner senses that the region is not sufficiently overt in their religious convictions, or fails to reflect their particular vision of religiosity.  Those are quite different issues.

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

About Jim Downard

Jim Downard is a Spokane native (with a sojourn in Southern California back in the early 1960s) who was raised in a secular family, so says had no personal faith to lose.

He's always been a history and science buff (getting a bachelor's in the former area at what was then Eastern Washington University in the early 1970s).

• Ask An Atheist: Stranger in Strange Land - October 12, 2018
• Ask An Atheist: Why do you pose ‘annoyingly hard’ questions to Christians? - October 3, 2018
• Out in the World of Non-Belief - September 22, 2018
• Voting in a Time of Division - August 30, 2018
• Ask An Atheist: Why aren’t Atheists included in memorial services? - August 19, 2018
• Ask An Atheist: How do you explain design throughout the universe? - August 11, 2018
• Ask An Atheist: Why is the PNW so unchurched? - August 1, 2018
• Ask An Atheist: Stupid Questions - July 20, 2018
• Ask An Atheist: Do you believe in reincarnation? - June 25, 2018
• Ask An Atheist: Will I see my loved ones again? - June 16, 2018

View All Posts