Really? (warning anecdotes :), When I lived in the south east (Alabama / Georgia), I didn't notice any stifling because I was an atheist. Sure, you had to deal with people's super religious fundamentalist beliefs which got expressed all the time, but my barrage of dissenting opinions didn't get any backlash, except for the "prayer for my lost soul" which did happen on occasion.

To add my 2 cents, I was employed in Macon, Georgia by a small software firm around the time the Bush administrating was drumming up support to attack Iraq. I was opposed to it and let my feelings be known amongst my colleagues. My colleagues would agree with my POV, go home and then come back the next day and attack me. The cycle repeated itself a few times before I realized they were going home to Fox News everyday. Unfortunately for me, I discussed these opinions in the cafetaria. When they downsized a short while later, I was the first one to be let go. Since then I never discuss politics at work, even with folks I trust,

Do you live/work in Texas? The big cities (Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio) are overwhelmingly liberal.

They are also full of people who fled small Texas towns to get away from stifling religious upbringings.

I'm interested in hearing more about this. Is it common for religion to be discussed in the workplace in Texas?

You should come to work in Europe/the Uk then. Being a Christian/religious is most definitely to be the odd one out and invite "comments".

Is it that bad? I hope Austin is something different.