Why is it that....

[Nietzsche]

Well this question pertains to the great proletarian state of the USA. How come in the usa the people are more religious down south? but up north there is less emphasis put on religion that’s not to say there is none but there’s alot less religion up north.

 

[Cerridwen]

Hey~

Well this question pertains to the great proletarian state of the USA. How come in the usa the people are more religious down south? but up north there is less emphasis put on religion that’s not to say there is none but there’s alot less religion up north.

I dunno, Nietzsche (an interesting fellow, that one), but you're right. I live in the Deep South & most of the country refers to it as "Bible Belt, USA". As much as I love the South, that is our biggest downfall. Things tend to be backwards here as far as religion & progress goes. I wouldn't change the country for anything, it's beautiful, but there are still some very old fashioned racist & sexists around here, simply because they're so hung up on Bible beating.

In the South, the pace of life is slower, we take the time to live life, not just exist, which I think is a good thing, & on the average, people really are nicer down here. I don't think that has anything to do with religion, but more with the sense of community that Southern natives have had all their lives. Even if we differ in our religious beliefs, we still help one another down here. We're still good to our neighbors, & respectful of our elders....I think some places up North could learn a lot from the way of life down South, & while Christian religion is pretty thick down here, they tend to be the kind of real "Christ-like" Christians, the ones who try to be good & loving to their fellow man, not cruel & hateful. but I don't think it has anything to do with religion.

Gradually, the Pagan sommunity is starting to thrive, & general acceptance is relatively common. That is evident with the whole Roy Moore thing rolleyes. In this is another place where a good example can be found. Those people who are Christian, in accepting diversity, even though they may not agree with it, are keeping their goodness, & their faith....but treating their fellow citizens with the respect they deserve.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

 

[Joe Atheist]

Well this question pertains to the great proletarian state of the USA. How come in the usa the people are more religious down south? but up north there is less emphasis put on religion that’s not to say there is none but there’s alot less religion up north.

People also tend to be less educated down south.

 

[prayerposition17]

Joe Athiest was bang on the money.

 

[Nietzsche]

Yeah thats what i was thinking i didnt want to say it in my post becuase now the whole post will be about that

 

[FaithinJesus]

I have no idea why that is, but it is true. I guess that the North has a lot of big cities and in big cities there tends to be more crime, ect. It is also harder to reach the community of New York City than it is to reach the community of little Winnywood, Oklahoma. In the South towns are smaller and more families are there. It is easier to reach out to the community. In huge towns, many people could be Christians-but there are sooo many people you would just never know. It is a lot harder to make an impact on such huge cities. I really dont believe that education has anything to do with it. I live in the South and I am surrouded by highly smart people. If I go up North, I am sure I could find some un-intellegent people. Christianity has nothing to do with education. Some of the apostles were fishermen while Paul was a highly educated Jew-they both were able to do amazing things.

 

[The Bellman]

The basic reason is lack of education. The southern states of the US have a much lower educational standard, and where education levels go up, religious belief goes down.

Which, of course, makes the question why do the southern states of the US have such a low educational standard compared to the more northern states?

 

[Arikay]

It also has to do with tradition. Parents beliefs are passed onto their children, etc. The south has always been more religious and so it makes sense that parents would pass it to their kids and then their kids, etc. Just like racial prejudice seems to be greater in the south and I bet that is based on parents teaching racism to their kids.
Also I think a lack of exposure to other beliefs (compared to the rest of the US) plays a part as well.

 

[Cerridwen]

The basic reason is lack of education. The southern states of the US have a much lower educational standard, and where education levels go up, religious belief goes down.
Which, of course, makes the question why do the southern states of the US have such a low educational standard compared to the more northern states?

This is true, to an extent...although I could take offense to that, being as I am very Southern , although I'm Pagan...so maybe that's a redeeming quality? This problem is evident in that there has been so much argument on whether or not to teach Creationism(which IS NOT scientific) along with the Theory of Evolution(which IS scientific). That is pure ignorance.

I think that the reason the educational standards are lower in the South is because of the higher occurence of Fundamental Christianity in the South. When one thinks about it, "old fashioned" Fundies had a real problem with women being literate, & still many do with a woman working outside the home, which causes another frequency in the South; early marriage & high rates of teenage pregnancy. For many fundies, secular education, or "book-learnin'" as they say down here, is the work of the "devil". It's sole purpose is to turn people away from God by clouding their minds with "worldly things". Hence, the only "studying" they think is permissable is that of the Bible, & that, of course, should be limited so that it doesn't cause one to *gasp* question what is written there.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*(who still loves the South, but not the Fundies)

 

[joebudda]

People tend to believe what the people around them believe. This why when you look around the word you will find pockets of all kinds of beliefs.

Yes like stated; you will find it less in larger populated areas. I believe this is because this becomes more of a clashing of cultures.

What causes most strife between people? Beliefs.

So you will see it decline, I am assuming.

 

[Cerridwen]

People tend to believe what the people around them believe. This why when you look around the word you will find pockets of all kinds of beliefs.

Not this "people" . You'd be surprised at just how many Pagans are "coming out of the woodwork" in Central Alabama, even though we are surrounded on all sides by Bible thumpers.

What causes most strife between people? Beliefs.

I couldn't agree more with this statement, and to elaborate, "Beliefs cause most strife between people, but one's belief that one's belief system is the only
legimate & therefore "true" belief system causes more.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

 

[flicka]

I was born and raised in California. I have many friends who have come here from small towns around the country because of the job market and I'm always amazed at the changes that take place. Most come intending to stay a couple years, make a few bucks, then go 'back home' and live happily ever after. Yet once they are here and get over the culture shock most have a hard time leaving (and it's not just because of the weather..lol). They stay because they have been exposed to people, cultures and ideas that they knew little about before and can't bear the thought of going back to some small town where everyone thinks the same. I'm not saying things are perfect here and many people do leave, mostly because of the high cost of living, but sometimes you can't go home again.

Still, there is a huge Christian community here, they just coexist alongside everyone and everything else.

 

[Schism]

i don't think anybody in this town of mine believes the same thing--especially the idea of a decent time to ring the telephone

 

[Cerridwen]

I was born and raised in California. I have many friends who have come here from small towns around the country because of the job market and I'm always amazed at the changes that take place. Most come intending to stay a couple years, make a few bucks, then go 'back home' and live happily ever after. Yet once they are here and get over the culture shock most have a hard time leaving (and it's not just because of the weather..lol). They stay because they have been exposed to people, cultures and ideas that they knew little about before and can't bear the thought of going back to some small town where everyone thinks the same. I'm not saying things are perfect here and many people do leave, mostly because of the high cost of living, but sometimes you can't go home again.

Still, there is a huge Christian community here, they just coexist alongside everyone and everything else.

It's funny that you mention this. My mother moved to California about a year ago from Alabama. She went with the intention to visit a couple weeks, & never made it back, lol. She loves it out there, & is always talking about how wonderful it is to be openly accepted there as a lesbian couple. My mom is Pagan, & her partner is Christian, together they attend the local UU church. She can't say enough good things about it...well, except for that earthquake y'all got a few days ago, lol.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

 

[McCracAttack]

I've lived in the South my entire life (AL, TN, SC) so I have a couple of theories. One is tradition. The South is notorious for being slow to change. They have simply held onto Christianity longer than the rest of the country. There is also a proportional lack of other cultures and ideas due to isolation as pointed out earlier. Hence, high racism and intolerance of other religions. I also think a correlation can be drawn between income and religious belief. It’s no secret that the South still hasn't recovered from the Civil War and poverty is a very real problem in many areas. Christianity has more appeal to someone who has a hard life like the very poor. If your current life isn't what you had hoped then Christianity lets you work towards the next one. The correlation between education and religion also seems very plausible from my own experience.

 

[Arikay]

Bah, its not a "real" earthquake unless an overpass falls down.
As the Milk comercial here says, earthquakes are just cow feet massagers.

It's funny that you mention this. My mother moved to California about a year ago from Alabama. She went with the intention to visit a couple weeks, & never made it back, lol. She loves it out there, & is always talking about how wonderful it is to be openly accepted there as a lesbian couple. My mom is Pagan, & her partner is Christian, together they attend the local UU church. She can't say enough good things about it...well, except for that earthquake y'all got a few days ago, lol.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

 

[joebudda]

Bah, its not a "real" earthquake unless an overpass falls down.
As the Milk comercial here says, earthquakes are just cow feet massagers.

I lived in Northridge when the Northridge quake happened.

There is just something about it when you are going through it that makes one realize how insignificant we really are. Also how effortlessly the ground can move when it does.

 

[Cerridwen]

Hey~

Cow feet massagers...now that one is funny, lol. I agree with you too, Joebudda....one only has to stand in awe of a mighty volcano, or an earthquake, or of a mean ol' tornado like what we get down here to see the majesty that we are but tiny parts of. Like red blood cells in the wondrous veins of the universe & the Ultimate.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

 

[Nietzsche]

The basic reason is lack of education. The southern states of the US have a much lower educational standard, and where education levels go up, religious belief goes down.

Which, of course, makes the question why do the southern states of the US have such a low educational standard compared to the more northern states?

you know you could make what you just said into a math forumula.

IF: $religion = high THEN: $education = low

IF: $education = high THEN: $religion = low

This can easily be explained to. you see more educated cultures have less of a use if any for religinos such as christianity that only slow down the progress of mankind. Since we all have morals let us live by them not by what a religion says. That basicly the attitude of most educated societys. This is not to say the south isnt educated, **** im educated up north and look at me spell! In the south things run slower as they say to enjoy live. smaller communitys less technology = more god.

 

[Joe Atheist]

This can easily be explained to. you see more educated cultures have less of a use if any for religinos such as christianity that only slow down the progress of mankind. Since we all have morals let us live by them not by what a religion says. That basicly the attitude of most educated societys. This is not to say the south isnt educated, **** im educated up north and look at me spell! In the south things run slower as they say to enjoy live. smaller communitys less technology = more god.

I think the concept of god also serves to gloss over whatever one does not understand. In that case, less education = more unknowns = more room to say "it's part of God's plan" or "It's a miracle", etc. = reinforced beliefs.