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Survey: Greensboro second holiest city in U.S.

Thursday, November 11, 2010
(Updated 2:08 pm)
Staff Reports

Greensboro is the second-holiest city in the United States, according to a list compiled by Men’s Health.

To determine the rankings, Men’s Health looked at the number of places of worship per capita, the count of religious organizations and the amount of volunteers who support these groups, the amount of money donated to religious affiliations and money spent on religious books.

Colorado Springs was the only city to top Greensboro on the list of 100 cities. Charlotte is ninth, is Raleigh 13th and Durham is 14th.

More information is online here and will be published in the magazine's December issue, which will be on newsstands Nov. 16.

Accompanying Photos

File photo (Associated Press)

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ninjaninjaninja

November 11, 2010 - 12:06 pm EST

godbless greensboro

d_random

November 12, 2010 - 10:47 am EST

Thanks for the worthless comment.

toonman

November 11, 2010 - 12:22 pm EST

Unfortunately, none of the factors used as basis are measures of "holiness", but rather "religious activity". Holiness is a measure of one's relationship with God, and their obedience to Him. With all of the religious activity, what major changes can you point to, that show you the fruit of a "Holy" city? Is there an abundance of love for one another, are the poor taken care of, are the hurting finding solace? Is crime being removed, is justice and truth paramount? Is God's word held up above all else? Good luck finding a "Holy" city in this world...

unbiased

November 11, 2010 - 12:30 pm EST

The Pulpit Forum and "Beloved" Community Center are proof enough for me.

Mialamasoul

November 11, 2010 - 2:06 pm EST

Oh come on already.

NCdirtywater

November 11, 2010 - 12:47 pm EST

In related news...Preachers in Greensboro drive the nicest cars.

CherylP25

November 11, 2010 - 1:05 pm EST

Unless they're Lutheran...
The Lutheran Pastors I know drive a Pontiac Vibe, a Toyota Camry and a Ford Taurus...

DrMaryJohnson

November 11, 2010 - 1:10 pm EST

Youse guys are really pulling out ALL the stops to butter-up Google aren't you?

Dogwood

November 11, 2010 - 1:57 pm EST

Colorado Springs and their Garden of the Gods is a fine 1st choice of holiness.

Mialamasoul

November 11, 2010 - 2:11 pm EST

The point for me is that having a large number of churches per capita in Greensboro has had positively zero impact on the rampant intolerance for children, young people, and "different" people who populate the city right along side all these supposedly god-fearing church-going folks. I think the churches around here, black and white alike are all form and no real substance. If the number of churches really meant something people here would be a lot more welcoming, friendly and open. That has not been my experience or observation having lived here for 5+ years. I am a black woman and people like to put me in the category of "foreign" and "not from around here" at every opportunity. "Are you Carribean? From Africa?" I get asked. "Where are you FROM." as opposed to "glad to have you in this city." Tiring.

Crypdogg

November 11, 2010 - 2:14 pm EST

Get over it and yourself!

toonman

November 11, 2010 - 2:35 pm EST

so, crypdogg or whatever, goes and proves your point. Well, Mialamasoul, you make good points, and you sound like a very intelligent person, who is not asking too much of the folks in a city. I, for one, welcome you here, and I am sorry that your experience has not been that positive. I hope you find a place here, that accepts you for who you are, and that you will find a level of success here, regardless of folks like crypdogg.

rmacz

November 11, 2010 - 2:54 pm EST

Pleeeease don't stop looking, because you will definitely find the right church. Be encouraged, and G-d speed!

KimberlyGSO

November 11, 2010 - 3:19 pm EST

Hi Mia, I moved to Greensboro right around the same time you did. Your complaint sounds like it could be due to curiosity more than rudeness. This is America – a melting pot. Asking, “Where are you from?” is as natural as asking, “What do you do for a living?” (which could also be considered rude in another society). Don’t forget, you’re in a different culture, whether you came here from Africa or New York. Expect the best in people – including the Christians.

CherylP25

November 11, 2010 - 3:34 pm EST

I invite you to visit Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Greensboro at 1100 Curtis Street GSO 27406. I guarantee a warm welcome.

Cemetery

November 11, 2010 - 7:53 pm EST

For those who don't believe in a higher being, check out some of the non-religious groups in the Greensboro area. They exist. :)

infolit

November 11, 2010 - 3:31 pm EST

The only thing that counts in Greensboro, and the south in general, is whether you are 'Christian' or not. You don't even have to do anything to demonstrate it - just simply say 'I'm Christian'. You will then be qualified on another level when they ask you what church you go to. If you are Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, or Pentecostal you will be in the 'cool' crowd (especially if you are Baptist). In other words, the more extreme/fanatical/bigoted, the more accepted you will become. If you are Catholic or Episcopal, you will be looked down upon significantly. If you are none of the above, you might as well be a criminal. Personally, I like hanging out with the criminals - we're a lot more tolerant and a lot less judgmental.

ItIsMe

November 11, 2010 - 4:10 pm EST

You've got that right! I am constantly having people try to 'save' me. I am not religious, I am very secular, which, it seems, makes me a horrible person and I will be going straight to hell upon my death. It doesn't matter that I am a good person, I don't go to church, so I'm really not good. You wouldn't believe how many people in this city are 'praying for me' and it drives me insane. I don't need anyone praying for me, thank you very much. To make it worse, when I was a child I was raised Catholic. Oh great! So now I'm an ex-Catholic (bad, bad, bad) who refuses to go to church and hasn't gone to church in over 25 years. I have had church members and preachers stop by my house on Sunday mornings to tell me what time church starts! How rude! I have no interest in going to any church, and the more religion is pushed on me the less likely I am to ever attend any church service. Believe whatever you wish to believe, but leave people who do not share your beliefs alone. We do not need to be saved. I had one Baptist preacher try to get me to go to his church by telling me, with great happiness, all about the Jewish person he saved. If a Jewish person can be saved in my church, then surely you, a secular ex-Catholic, can be as well. Good grief.

toonman

November 11, 2010 - 4:22 pm EST

Sounds like you guys have just been around the wrong "christians"...and yes, there are plenty out there. People often forget, in the Bible, the group Jesus more often times was around were the prostitutes, thieves, and tax collectors (who were equated with the thieves). Makes you wonder if "christians" read any of what they believe, if they did, they may be shocked. Being a christian is not about being elitist or politically motivated. Being a christian is about getting to know people, and loving them for who they are, where they are at. At some point, there is a place where you yourself have to decide what to do with the person of Jesus, but no one can push that on you, that is a decision we all have to make for ourselves.

Cemetery

November 11, 2010 - 7:55 pm EST

I don't know that any religion has a view on tolerance that is worth following. When people follow ancient texts to determine how to live their lives thousands of years later, there are going to be some conflicting views on how to treat people who don't believe the same things. It's a shame that more religious people can't embrace the differences in people the way they embrace the similarities.

whyus

November 11, 2010 - 4:20 pm EST

Greensboro may have a lot of churches but they also have a lot of shootings, stealing, etc. Google "crime in Greensboro" and look at the rating for center city. 100 is perfect score (the safest location) and center city gets a 1. Surrounding areas are not much better.

nann

November 11, 2010 - 8:27 pm EST

I lived in Greensboro for a few years and I learned that most people were polite. However when someone asked me to go to their church on Sunday and I declined, it was a whole different story. I'm not a religious man and I don't want to be pushed by other religions. I like to do my own thing. But the people in my community felt otherwise. I was an outcast. I believe in most things that they teach in church, but not all.
Standing in church every Sunday and calling yourself a Christian is like standing in your garage and calling yourself a mechanic

d_random

November 12, 2010 - 10:45 am EST

Exactly. What a bunch of judgmental nimrods.

laserguidedloogie

November 11, 2010 - 11:37 pm EST

What makes you people think "holiness" has anything to do with"niceness," "politeness, or all that sappy "Brotherhood Of Man" stuff ?

That is simply a mindset derived mostly from Christian ideals; and fairly recent ones at that.

Some religions on the other hand might see "holiness" as being reflected in one's willingness to "drive your enemies before you, and to listen to the wails and lamentations of their widows and orphans."

Just sayin' ...

Ken

tnw

November 12, 2010 - 8:27 am EST

I'll have to agree. Most Christians I know are the most judgemental people I come across. If you don't think the way they do you're not good enough

tnw

November 12, 2010 - 7:24 am EST

No wonder this city is so backwards and can never get anything significant accomplished.

newkid

November 12, 2010 - 10:33 am EST

Wonderful...we have more people who believe in organized-religion's mumbo-jumbo and fairy tales than almost anyplace else in the country! I'd rather see us have the second-highest average IQs, or the second-highest number of employed skilled workers, or be the second-safest place to live!

d_random

November 12, 2010 - 10:49 am EST

Agreed newkid.
They might as well call the survey "The most superstitious, uneducated simple-minded cites."

d_random

November 12, 2010 - 10:46 am EST

No wonder Greensboro is so backwards!

Jbird

November 12, 2010 - 7:15 pm EST

I personally think the whole topic of christianity and different opinions of it is very interesting! I'm a christian but what I think is so wrong is for christians to be so judgemental and I see it all the time. Usually the christians that are judgemental need to check their own backyard!!

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