I am a native Californian, but I had the opportunity to live in Dallas Texas and Jacksonville Florida and I can say without a doubt these are where the nicest people come from, they welcome you into there homes, smile at you on the street, will help you when your car breaks down ,are the ones who are the most family oriented, the ones who support there Collge and States Sports teams, they are the ones that produce the best singers we have in the Music Industry, Southern Hospitality and a love for GOD lives in the south...
There are many Christians in California but are afraid to speak there mind and are proably not as outspoken as me and the north proably has the higgest amount of atheists.
Do you live in a area with the majority being Christian, Jewish, Muslim or heathen?
2007-06-25 09:17:12 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
hmmmm You don't get out much do you....
2007-06-25 10:32:09 · answer #1 · answered by G.C. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in the bible belt, and have to disagree with you on pretty much everything except the hospitality. People all over are friendly, but the south has a flare about it's kindness to strangers.
They are often family oriented at the cost of a proper education. I can't tell you the number of little girls I see down here more worried about popping out kids than getting a high school diploma or higher. They want to get that kid and net themselves a man to take care of them. Of course they aren't all like that, but there are far too many that are.
And supporting local sports teams...at the cost of education again. AP classes cancelled while the high school football team has 6 coaches. That's money well spent...
Religion is a way of life, but I've seen some of the biggest hypocrites in church down here. It isn't to worship god, it's a status symbol. It's a business expense. It's a popularity contest. Have to look the ever-faithful to make it.
And don't even get me started on racism. Whites against blacks, blacks against whites, everybody against hispanic, asian against everybody else...it's pathetic.
Having also had the opportunity to live all over this country, I have to tell you, you have a very skewed view of what the "south" is really like. Hit up Alabama or Mississippi.
2007-06-25 09:27:43 · answer #2 · answered by Armless Joe, Bipedal Foe 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well, I live in Oklahoma City and I'd say people here do tend to be friendlier than say a really big city in California or New York. I think it probably has more to do with culture and how we are raised. More and more, I see that's going out the window, though. lol On the other hand, I've been to other towns that are predominately Christian for the most part and they are the friendliest people you'll ever meet. So really, I think both culture and religion have a lot to do with it. Though, I think the culture has it's roots in Christianity.
2007-06-25 10:08:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an agnostic and I live in Texas. I happen to live in a really good part of Texas but it should be noted that Texas has it's slums and high crime areas too.
It is only a generalisation that 'nice' people live in the bible belt, and it should not be inferred that the nice ones are going to be christians.
Oh, and I agree with the comment a few people made about Texas being racist. But again, this is only a generalisation and we shouldn't automatically assume that the racists are going to be christians.
2007-06-25 09:42:41 · answer #4 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an Atheistic Pagan in the Bible Belt, I have to say that I rarely am impressed by the natives.
Sure, the people are more tanned. And I get the rubber-neck thing whenever a redneck goes past me in his truck. (And occasionally a few whistles or honks. Once a proposition, but I digress.)
But I would never want to wear a pentacle in public and have to deal with all the rude looks, comments and occasional questions. I wore one when I was younger, and I'm not interested in advertising myself anymore, because I know that the people around me aren't ready to play nice yet.
Those wonderful, loving and helpful Christians. As long as you're Christian, of course. Or willing to let them assume that you are.
2007-06-25 09:26:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmm, I lived in Texas for 12 years. The majority of the people there are nice enough but I didn't go around asking everyone if they were Christians. I saw just as much (if not more) crime there and divorce, bad singers, and people who would leave your butt on the roadside there as anywhere else. Throw in a heaping spoonful of racism and fire ants and that about sums up my experience with Texas.
2007-06-25 09:29:17 · answer #6 · answered by Lori A 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I live in Oklahoma. I am an atheist. I can tell you it is not about a love of god that makes many of us kind and hospitable. It is in our culture, it is the way we are raised. Kindness and generosity do not come from a god, they come from a sense of community and a genuine desire to do the right thing by our fellow human. If you were to come to my home you would recognize no difference in my hospitality and kindness than that of my Christian neighbors, (that is until they find out you are an atheist and then all hell breaks loose).
2007-06-25 09:27:13 · answer #7 · answered by Atheistphilosopher 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I lie in the north-where there is a mixed population of religions. however, i have heard that people are more religious in the south especially African-Americans. With the blacks this is more true because many stayed there after slavery and Religion was their escape and a way for them to overcome and that has passed through for many generations.
2007-06-25 09:25:09 · answer #8 · answered by Annie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in the Bible belt. Being nice has nothing to do with God. It has to do with your mama finding out you weren't nice to someone. I am way more afraid of my mama then your God. Trust me.
And Joe nailed it. I have lived in the DEEP south and he is SO right. Church is a status symbol in the South. Not a true faith or a way of life.
2007-06-25 09:41:43 · answer #9 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, Austin Texas has one of the largest Atheist populations in the country and there is also a large Atheist population in Dallas (I grew up in Texas and lived the 20 years and still visit). Don't always assume that nice lady helping you with your groceries is a Christian...
2007-06-25 09:21:59 · answer #10 · answered by A 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I am from the deep south myself. I have lived in Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana.
You are right about Southern hospitality!!! I enjoy all my Pagan, Wiccan, Heathen and Witch friends that are southern, we do have a charming way about us.
2007-06-25 09:26:34 · answer #11 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋