Religion has had it's time.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

Have you lived in the rural 'Bible belt' recently? It all depends on what you want and need, of course. But if you want to have a position in the community, practice a profession, have customers for your business, be considered to 'fit in' at the job, or otherwise do things that depend in some measure on the good opinion of others, you'd best be in good standing at your 'church home.'

Quebec was by no means 'bible belt' but the Catholic church did have considerable influence. That affected their people more than we black hearted protestants. Of course being a Union church type they had no sway over me. Besides when the Union church put up a new church building Mother donated the cross (in our Dad's memory) that was to hang over the Alter Table on the condition I was to make it. We had some rather impious discussion over dinner one night when my brother asked how I was going to get it to the church. The cross being over ten feet high. Oh BTW the church had nowt to do with the AFL/CIO it was just that the town was so small that there were not enough Protestants of an one sect to form separate congregations.

Here we are semi-suburban as there are only 21 homesites on the Court but urban in that everyone works in DC or NoVa so we only 'know' two of our neighbours and of those two one I can't stand.

[donquixote99]

If the protestants had to union-up in Quebec imagine the situation for a protestant family 50 miles out-of-town.

[Wasillaguy]

About 7 yrs ago the neighbor to my west sold his place and a new family moved in. It was spring and one Saturday when we saw them working out in the yard, the wife and I walked thru the patch of woods that separate our houses to welcome them to the neighborhood. Brought them a hanging basket of strawberries for their greenhouse.
I gave them my number. Told them if they ever got in a pinch I'd be more than happy to help.
They were nice enough, but the guy came off like "whatever buddy, can you go now", and so we did. I didn't blame the guy. I likes me some privacy too, and moving to a new place you're always a bit concerned your new neighbors might be a nightmare in one respect or another, so you work slowly toward making relationships.
About 3 months later I'm climbing in the truck to head to work and I can hear his starter trying to turn his engine over and not succeeding, so I drove out and around to his driveway. Hopped out with the cables and a "good morning" and got back a "oh it's ok, I got a charger in the garage". By then I've got both hoods open, so I said "no problem, this is quicker"
No thank you, no handshake, no fuck off, nothing.
About 6 weeks later we've got lots of snow, and he's in the ditch because after the plows come through you can't tell where the road ends and the ditch starts. You have to KNOW where the ditch is.
Anyway, same kinda deal- I jump out with the tow strap and hand him one end.
"Oh, I got it dude. My wife is coming with the car"
Didn't bother asking what the hell he thought a Taurus station wagon was gonna do, just pulled him out. This time he actually said thanks, but I knew I was done working toward a good neighbor on that side.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

If the protestants had to union-up in Quebec imagine the situation for a protestant family 50 miles out-of-town.

Perhaps I erred in calling it a town although it is now. Seventy years ago it was a village.

This is the cross and that is my ex and her mother in the picture. The architect had specified 1" x 4" white oak with walnut stain with no end grain showing anywhere. Well to get a full 1 x 4 I had to buy 1-1/4 x 5 and have it planned. Then make some very creative 45 degree joints.

The folks who provided the long drapes had to hang them and then come back a week later and take over a foot off the bottom and re hem them.

Was you gave it a good shot and that is about all anyone can do.

[djv8ga]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

Have you lived in the rural 'Bible belt' recently? It all depends on what you want and need, of course. But if you want to have a position in the community, practice a profession, have customers for your business, be considered to 'fit in' at the job, or otherwise do things that depend in some measure on the good opinion of others, you'd best be in good standing at your 'church home.'

I spend a big chunk of time in a rural area full of farmers/rednecks. The popular religion in the area is Seventh-Day Adventist & I have had zero proplems. In fact, I have had much success in making friends because I standout like a sore thumb.
You sound like a paranoid SOB that has poor socializing skills or just isn't liked.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by djv8ga

I spend a big chunk of time in a rural area full of farmers/rednecks. The popular religion in the area is Seventh-Day Adventist & I have had zero proplems. In fact, I have had much success in making friends because I standout like a sore thumb.
You sound like a paranoid SOB that has poor socializing skills or just isn't liked.

DJ cool it please, up until now this thread has been unbelievably free of invective.

[djv8ga]

Originally Posted by merrylander

DJ cool it please, up until now this thread has been unbelievably free of invective.

OK. Stereotyping on a serious level bugs the crap out of me.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by djv8ga

I spend a big chunk of time in a rural area full of farmers/rednecks. The popular religion in the area is Seventh-Day Adventist & I have had zero proplems. In fact, I have had much success in making friends because I standout like a sore thumb.
You sound like a paranoid SOB that has poor socializing skills or just isn't liked.

First, I was speaking of social patterns that have been observed in a general way. Individual cases always vary. Further, Seventh-Day-Adventists are different, more stick-to-themselves, religion-wise. The place you mention, I suspect, was not in Tennessee or any state touching it.

As for your final comment, well, just try to imagine being called paranoid by a desert-living survivalist militia dude!

'Life is an endless cycle of joy' as Dorothy Parker once wrote. I don't think she believed it, alas, but I see proof every day.

[djv8ga]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

First, I was speaking of social patterns that have been observed in a general way. Individual cases always vary.

As for your final comment, well, just try to imagine being called paranoid by a desert-living survivalist militia dude!

'Life is an endless cycle of joy' as Dorothy Parker once wrote. I don't think she believed it, alas, but I see proof every day.

LOL...this is too funny. Even if I was this "militia dude" you speak of, the fact is I'm not paranoid of the city, rural areas, or any of the places where you obviously don't feel comfortable. I like the diversity of lifestyles, religions, & skill sets that the rural communities I work, play, & invest in possess.
Amazing coming from an old surfer/punk rocker who runs around sporting "Bad Religion" & similar swag....isn't it?

You are Ruralphobic...

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

'Life is an endless cycle of joy' as Dorothy Parker once wrote. I don't think she believed it, alas, but I see proof every day.

Ah another Dorothy Parker fan, she was my kind of girl, but then I always admired and liked smart strong women.