I knew Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains then and have frequently visited over the years. The Asheville of today is something no one could have imagined back then. The fact it is apolitical is a plus, as far as I'm concerned. I find it more genuinely tolerant than either San Francisco or New York, which tend to enforce a kind of political correctness on everyone and everything. That grows tiresome and impedes relationships across different political views.
Human diversity can be enormous within any ethnic or racial group.
So, give us all a break. Since many of the New Age people would not consider themselves practicing Christians, I'm not sure what the gripe is. What's wonderful is that the area, which is highly religious, is tolerant of this island of colorful New Age people and highly supportive of the arts community that has grown up there. And, the New Age people are tolerant of the surrounding Christian culture. This admirable combination is not often found.