Congrats to OKC for ranking #1 among large metro areas for small business startups. Awesome work. Also, patting ourselves on the back, Tulsa ranked #19 among mid-sized metro areas.

http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/states/OK.html

Yah I saw that too, looks like biotech may be another staple of the local economy before too long. Not that it'll ever come close to energy, but the biotech industry here is really thriving, so long as our government doesn't smash it with a hammer by outlawing stem cell research.

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

You can be a Christian and still support stem cell research. Clearly it hasn't "jibed" too off course thus far.

Being against stem cell research is like being against organ donation on drivers licenses.

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

I'm a Christ follower, and it's actually one of our requirements before we get pledged into the fraternity. NOT! :beaten_fi . You do have the choice to move to another state if you don't like our cultural and religious environment here. It's that simple really.

Nah, I'd rather stay here and educate people as to why this Puritan mindset is so wrong. And if you enjoy theocracy so much, you do have the choice to move to Iran or Saudi Arabia if you'd like. It's that simple really.

Sorry, I can't, I actually work here for one of those "Christian" bio-tech/research companies. That and I believe the Holocaust actually did happen.

Dramatic. I'm athiest, I live here and I enjoy it immensely.

Anyways. That's great for OKC! Except, when you look at our crime rate
compared to those other cities, it's quite above the average. Same is true
for our bachelor degree-rate, but the other way around. Those two areas
need some improvement.

Dramatic. I'm athiest, I live here and I enjoy it immensely.

Anyways. That's great for OKC! Except, when you look at our crime rate
compared to those other cities, it's quite above the average. Same is true
for our bachelor degree-rate, but the other way around. Those two areas
need some improvement.

For sure, I've got some family that moved here from Hawaii. My Japanese grandmother moved here, she was Shinto (a Japanese religion based on concepts from both Hindu and Buddhism) but ended up converting to Christianity. She was never pressured into it, just felt compelled to convert after describing a feeling of "peace" she got from her Christian neighbors.

Not to say there aren't some loud mouth bible thumpers out there, but Oklahoma City has a reputation for being a pretty inviting community regardless of personal belief systems.

She was never pressured into it, just felt compelled to convert after describing a feeling of "peace" she got from her Christian neighbors.

LOL... sounds like LifeChurch.tv Kool-Aid!!!!

I'm kidding... I'm kidding...

PS.... LOVE your avatar Ronnie

Not to say there aren't some loud mouth bible thumpers out there, but Oklahoma City has a reputation for being a pretty inviting community regardless of personal belief systems.

Ha, as long as you're not gay or atheist.

I'm a Christ follower, and it's actually one of our requirements before we get pledged into the fraternity. NOT! :beaten_fi . You do have the choice to move to another state if you don't like our cultural and religious environment here. It's that simple really.

And if you don't like Obama, then you can simply move to another country. I mean, really, it's that simple... Metro, we shouldn't shrug off everyone that disagrees with the strong religious overtones that exudes from this state.

Nah, I'd rather stay here and educate people as to why this Puritan mindset is so wrong.

I bet some people stay around to witness just how crazy things can get in Oklahoma. They can't imagine being able to believe such craziness while present in a more sane state. Their stay sooner or later gets well rewarded like when the story about the judge who masturbated while conducting court came out. And Sally Kern's far right religious antics. Or the legislator who's idea was to put out boxing gloves on roosters. What next?

CNN's been offering a pretty good review of OKC lately...just the other day, they complemented us on training our police force on driving techniques. They said we were one of few cities that do. That was a couple of weeks ago.

Nice to get the recognition, but we shouldn't let it go to our heads. We still have work to do.


P.S. to those who constantly make habit of turning every new thread, regardless of subject, into a political-religious tug-of-war...there is a saying: GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE! WE'RE ALL STOCKED UP!

make habit of turning every new thread, regardless of subject, into a political-religious tug-of-war...there is a saying: GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE! WE'RE ALL STOCKED UP!

Amen! (lol)

Did you also see how the points against us were "Tornados" and "Having only 1 pro sports team". WTF? Did they include earthquakes for CA, rain for WA, Hurricanes for the gulf? I mean come on, what does that have to do with anything for a small business? And a pro sports team...again, what does that have to do with anything. Unless you are targetting that market, then I don't get it. Not to mention, the fact that there is only 1 should be a GOOD thing. That means you only have to focus on 1 audience in a single sport, which means your product (whatever it may be) goes farther.

It's great to see our name out there, it just bugs me when people add stupid crap in there about tornados or other random junk.

Ha, as long as you're not gay or atheist.

:beaten_fi

Do people actually ever read other people's posts?

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

That is the dumbest pre-conceived notion I have read on this board thus far in its history.

The "Oklahoma values" stereotype is getting grossly exaggerated, and I am getting tired of it. I am also getting tired if people thinking that all Christians are stuck in the 19th Century and are uneducated.

And that means you have directly insulted me. I am an Oklahoman. I have Christian beliefs, I am college educated and I am an avid supporter of biotechnology. Explain to me how that doesn't "jibe".

Oklahoma City gets another recognition and yet the good news is once more bastardized by negativity. So let's drop it or I will push to have this thread closed.

Here’s how it doesn’t “jibe”:

Biotechnology and anti-evolutionary beliefs and teaching are diametrically opposed. This isn’t a Christian vs Science problem, in most of the developed world Christianity and science do not conflict. Here they do, constantly.

Here in Oklahoma, our particular majority version of Christianity has taken onto itself to be very anti-science in general and specifically anti-biology. Oklahoma politically and generally is very hostile to some very basic biological scientific concepts. That evolution and other concepts are still be debated here in the 21st century makes governmental backing challenging for many kinds of research and this kind of thinking’s impact on the education system in Oklahoma severely limits the pool of potential biotech workers. These facts will make it hard if not impossible to have a truly thriving biotech industry in this state.

Here’s how it doesn’t “jibe”:

Biotechnology and anti-evolutionary beliefs and teaching are diametrically opposed. This isn’t a Christian vs Science problem, in most of the developed world Christianity and science do not conflict. Here they do, constantly.

Here in Oklahoma, our particular majority version of Christianity has taken onto itself to be very anti-science in general and specifically anti-biology. Oklahoma politically and generally is very hostile to some very basic biological scientific concepts. That evolution and other concepts are still be debated here in the 21st century makes governmental backing challenging for many kinds of research and this kind of thinking’s impact on the education system in Oklahoma severely limits the pool of potential biotech workers. These facts will make it hard if not impossible to have a truly thriving biotech industry in this state.

In the meantime the reasearch park has gone from just a couple of buildings to seven buildings and 35 companies with the last decade.


This isn’t a Christian vs Science problem, in most of the developed world Christianity and science do not conflict. Here they do, constantly.

Religious organizations are opposed to embryonic stem-cell research. They are not opposed to adult stem-cell research, in fact they support it, even here in Oklahoma. Which gives me the impression that you are very, very biased.

Christian fundamentalists have pushed to ban embryonic stem-cell research in many other states, even in those that are bio-science hubs. Are you telling me that biotechnology all hinges on embryonic stem-cell research and evolution? Because it doesn't. You're forgetting advanced prosthetics, cancer research, advanced treatment for alzheimer's disease, all of which are heavily supported by the religious community in Oklahoma.

I am going to ask that this be moved to either the religious or political section, because obviously no one can have a positive topic about OKC without throwing it under the religious and political bus. This is ridiculous, people.

Religious organizations are opposed to embryonic stem-cell research. .

Which is really a stupid thing to be opposed to. Please keep religion out of science!

Are you telling me that biotechnology all hinges on embryonic stem-cell research and evolution? Because it doesn't.

No, having a successful biotechnology industry does not hinge on stem cell research or evolution. It stems from having enough qualified employable scientists and public funding and support.

Look, the fact is, you certainly can be a Christian and a world class biologist. Or any other kind of scientist. You cannot however not believe in evolution and be even a competent biologist. That means you are discounting facts based on faith, and that’s something a competent scientist cannot do.

You can’t be a competent physicist, geologist, anthropologist, astrophysicist, chemist, cosmologist, archeologist, biologist, geneticist and a whole bunch of other –ists and think that the Bible is the inerrant word of God and that the earth was therefore created in six days and is six thousand years old. You just can’t. Sorry.

And I don’t think this thread should moved and hidden because it’s difficult or uncomfortable.

I’m not debating evolution or stem cell research or religion. I’m not saying your beliefs are wrong or bad. But, these kinds of beliefs being so widespread here does have a social and economic impact to Oklahoma and are on topic to this thread, in this location.

And I don’t think this thread should moved and hidden because it’s difficult or uncomfortable.

I’m not debating evolution or stem cell research or religion. I’m not saying your beliefs are wrong or bad. But, these kinds of beliefs being so widespread here does have a social and economic impact to Oklahoma and are on topic to this thread, in this location.

The topic is Oklahoma City landing the number one spot for business startups. You are illustrating Oklahoma City as a failure. The beliefs you speak of are just as widespread in Texas, and it sure as hell didn't stop 8 million people from moving to Texas in the last 20 years, did it?

My problem is everytime Oklahoma City accomplishes something in the top ten, the "Oklahoma is bottom 10 in everything" crowd makes sure the good news goes south. That is exactly what happened to this thread.

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

Oh, surely you mean the 20th century, not the 19th century. But then Oklahoma City has come so far since 1999.

I wouldn't take the negatives as all that negative really. The "we only have one pro sports team..." to me is really quite fascinating, it means we are now officially on level playing field with top-tier cities and we are being evaluated like one, at least for this article. There was a time when most would never, ever consider the possibility of evaluating us against cities like New York, Houston, and Washington but that time is no more. I find that very positive.

Ha, as long as you're not gay or atheist.

To my knowledge Oklahoma City is very accepting, for the most part, of gays and atheists.

Or even porn stars:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1174444561&play=1

If only Oklahoma wasn't christian-central. I just don't see biotech jibing with "Oklahoma values," seeing how we're still stuck in the 19th century.

Is that why you continue to live here? Seems you are pretty full of hatred about the people and pretty much dislike most things about Oklahoma.

I bet some people stay around to witness just how crazy things can get in Oklahoma. They can't imagine being able to believe such craziness while present in a more sane state. Their stay sooner or later gets well rewarded like when the story about the judge who masturbated while conducting court came out. And Sally Kern's far right religious antics. Or the legislator who's idea was to put out boxing gloves on roosters. What next?

Oh if you want crazy you can go to any number of places around the country. Start with California. NYC is a close second. OKC is far less crazy than San Francisco - - we just don't have the beauty of the bay area on a warm sunny day.

Oh if you want crazy you can go to any number of places around the country. Start with California. NYC is a close second. OKC is far less crazy than San Francisco - - we just don't have the beauty of the bay area on a warm sunny day.

When I went to LA for the first time as a bright eyed 21 year old I was out in this pretty sweet hot tub set up on the Hotel Roof. I caught the distinctive smell of weed waft in my direction only to see this guy with dreads walk around with what looked to be his 8-12 year old son. Shocked to see anyone smoking so casually in the early evening I was even more shocked to see said father hand blunt to said son.

I thought I was going to Sh!t myself in the hot tub.

I'm very happy to see the original post in this thread. I'm glad Oklahoma City's uniquely cheap and stable housing, low start up costs, inexpensive labor, and it's business friendly Judiciary and Banks are still getting great national exposure.

As for the religious thing, I too am a "non-believer" but often times on this forum, find myself sympathetic to the religious person. This state does have a heavy Christian bias and influence. But, constantly whining about it really does a disservice to everyone involved. To borrow a concept from Christianity that a few Atheists could stand to learn, you should, live by example. While I hate the, "don't like it? then move." mentality, this is the culture of this state for both good and bad. It is this pragmatic christian tradition that gives us so many of our strong suits (i.e. fiscal responsibility and politeness) as well as provides us with a few faults (a bit of intolerance for new ideas) as well. Beside all of that, the inner ring of the city seems to me to have the same political and religious feel of almost any major city in the land locked US. Obama was the hands down favorite in the inner ring in the last election and a large chunk of the "historic" neighborhoods are represented in the state house by openly gay Al McAffrey. For all of the religious fervor of our state house the city it sits in is really quite tolerant and has a general tradition of "none of my business" about a lot of social issues. Despite me being atheist I have really started to beleive that alot of this complaining about religion and "bible thumpers" is 7-80% perception. If you are on the lookout for pushy Christians in this state you will have no trouble finding them/ However, if you just try to respect people, and expect it from others, you'll find religion doesn't really come up that often. If you want to change the perception of atheists in this state, just try and show people that an atheist can be happy, responsible, moral, and respectful. Sort of our own version of being a light unto the world.

Biotech exists just fine in plenty of other traditionally Christian states (has anyone been to Texas lately). This is a great piece of press and I'd expect buildings to be going up in the med research park for some time to come. Anyway, sorry for the rant...

I'm very happy to see the original post in this thread. I'm glad Oklahoma City's uniquely cheap and stable housing, low start up costs, inexpensive labor, and it's business friendly Judiciary and Banks are still getting great national exposure.

As for the religious thing, I too am a "non-believer" but often times on this forum, find myself sympathetic to the religious person. This state does have a heavy Christian bias and influence. But, constantly whining about it really does a disservice to everyone involved. To borrow a concept from Christianity that a few Atheists could stand to learn, you should, live by example. While I hate the, "don't like it? then move." mentality, this is the culture of this state for both good and bad. It is this pragmatic christian tradition that gives us so many of our strong suits (i.e. fiscal responsibility and politeness) as well as provides us with a few faults (a bit of intolerance for new ideas) as well. Beside all of that, the inner ring of the city seems to me to have the same political and religious feel of almost any major city in the land locked US. Obama was the hands down favorite in the inner ring in the last election and a large chunk of the "historic" neighborhoods are represented in the state house by openly gay Al McAffrey. For all of the religious fervor of our state house the city it sits in is really quite tolerant and has a general tradition of "none of my business" about a lot of social issues. Despite me being atheist I have really started to beleive that alot of this complaining about religion and "bible thumpers" is 7-80% perception. If you are on the lookout for pushy Christians in this state you will have no trouble finding them/ However, if you just try to respect people, and expect it from others, you'll find religion doesn't really come up that often. If you want to change the perception of atheists in this state, just try and show people that an atheist can be happy, responsible, moral, and respectful. Sort of our own version of being a light unto the world.

Biotech exists just fine in plenty of other traditionally Christian states (has anyone been to Texas lately). This is a great piece of press and I'd expect buildings to be going up in the med research park for some time to come. Anyway, sorry for the rant...

I agree.