Ragnarok

As a southern transplant I can offer this: It is basically my opinion that once air conditioning became practical and once the US more or less settled on the automobile as the preferred means of daily transport the death of the north was sealed. People (and businesses) will simply not put up with a place where, for 3-6 months of the year, getting to work, school, etc is a dangerous game of car-hockey played out on roads with random levels of snow, ice and slush under the wheels. With A/C the southern summer became tolerable and the lack of real frozen precip suits the automotive age. Hence the shift in socio-economic power to the south.

The expansion of fundyism is probably due to "transplant shock" to some extent. People move south for a new job and are displaced, lonely and vulnerable. Some fast talker comes up and says "come to church with us" and they do. So begins the fundy saga for a new northern transplant...

sullster

Mock,
Your A/C thesis is very interesting. Of course all those fundy churches must have good A/C these days and thus must attract the hot and bothered for that reason.

I can see it now on a sign in front of a fundy church,"Stay cool in here with Jesus, or you will be very hot out there". Brings up all the main ideas, doesn't it?

A/C must be a factor in the rise of televangelism too. Stay in and watch Robertson in the cool.

Sounds great down there, but I have a four-wheel drive and a good heating system, so this Yankee won't be moving to Dixie any time too soon.

RufusAtticus

Speaking of City Mouse versus Country Mouse...

I would just like to mention that in Georgia, the latest creationist fiasco happened in Cobb, County, the epitome of Atlanta suburbia.

-RvFvS

Jobar

I'd like to add to this discussion my observation that of all the people who have come here, ravaged and terrorized by the evil which wears the mask of good, Mad Kally has suffered the worst. And *she's* from California!

I am of a very old Southern farm family, and grew up on a dairy farm (about a mile and a half from Franklin Roosevelt's Little White House!) I am of the opinion that the number of churches here is at least as much a social thing (sighhswolf's hypothesis) as a religious one. When I became an atheist at age 15, I soon learned that if you did not attend church, your social life became severely curtailed. For me this was not a great problem, as my idea of entertainment involved books instead of conversation. But for my less introverted family members, outspoken atheism would have been social suicide!

sullster

Your experience is interesting. In the midst of religious cultural oppression you became atheist at the tender age of 15. It is admirable and impressive that you were so learned at such a young age, yet are you still not somewhat ravaged?

Did you not suffer rejection from others for not participating in the obligatory church functions? You must have been a very strong 15 year old to withstand the pressures of the culture and the family to conform. Especially considering the extreme views of fundamentalism.

I do not doubt you, as I know that one of the premier biologists and evolutionists,E.O. Wilson, came from the fundamentalist South. Perhaps growing up in such a culture of religious oppression forges a stronger personality in those who are willing to break out of the constraints.

As I said in a previous post, I salute all athiests who endure in the South, you are very likely much stronger than us up North.

MJones

Damnit!! Damnit damnit damnit!!

Was headed up to Birmingham tonight when my wife chuckled and read that to me. And here I was going to look out for it and forgot, and I didn't even see it!!

Damnit!! Damnit damnit damnit!!

Dirty Dog

MsChutzpah

I can identify with all of the replies here. I was born and raised in rural Appalachia (Southeastern Kentucky). From as early on as I can remember, I despised all the superstitions, holy roller tent meetin's; Binny Hinn type of faith healings and laying on of hands. I watched as people in the church (Pentecostal) got the "holy ghost" and jumped up and down, and around, flailing their arms, screaming "Gloraay to Gaawd!" and "Praise Jaaaysssus!". They all wailed and moaned, groaned, and got these mournful, pained expressions on their faces (you know, like when you're having difficulty sitting on the crapper) and yet, they talked about the joy and rapture the Lord Jesus gave to them! Heck....as a tiny child, THAT made no sense to me!
My family still lives in the south. They think I am most "sinful" and one of my sisters found out that I am atheist and dang near had a field day running all over, screaming "She don't believe in God! Why, that girl is dangerous!" My mother is 85, and the only one who is cool with me. When she is gone, I will no longer have any reason or desire to go visit that area. A beautiful country, green and lush, floral in spring, and lots to see there, but I require much more in my life, much more in the cultural, artistical, and cerebral sense. I'm not up for socializing at the church, catchin' up on the local gossip, and the backstabbing two-faced "christians" telling me I'm going to hell because I'm not "born again". The South Stinks, with regards to Big Time Religion, and I'm glad that at the tender age of 13, I had the guts to get away from there.

sighhswolf

Not only has the south been deluged by transplants
there is another factor that comes into play and tends to change some of the worst attitude's.
Many native southerners myself included, have left the south and lived in other areas of the country, and abroad. Quite a few of those folks (dont ask me why) usually end up at some point back in the south, with a whole new perspective and a more liberal attitude.
Wolf