Review: This explained a lot.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 7, 2012
I was a GRITS-Girl Raised In The South.  I never could understand someone being tormented here...in a notch of the Bible Belt... for being too religious.  We were raised in our respective faiths and that was extended family.  I was confused when I encountered others who could not or did not talk about their faith lives.  I was especially confused when I made my first Jewish friend at school.  I was eight and was invited to ride the bus to her home after school.  My mom grew up on a dairy farm in the middle of nowhere.  She went to a Baptist Church and married right out of high school.  She didn't know about non-Christian beliefs because she had no exposure.  The little girl's mom heard me asking question about some items in the house I had never seen.  By the time my mom arrived, the other mom informed her that she did not want her daughter to come to my house for a playdate, as our home would not be kosher and we knew nothing of how to entertain their kind.  I was confused and heartbroken.  My mom was pure-T ticked off.  She did not know kosher but she kept a spotless home and was known for her skills as a hostess.Of course, much has changed since my parents were kids during/after WWII.  I am the end of the BabyBoomerGeneration.  My kids have grown up with a world-wide variety of cultures and religions practiced in our city.  We are home to several large colleges and one hosts students from over 100 countries. Despite my early intoduction to Religions101, I read and asked questions and attended services when and where  I could.  I went to small concerts held in religious venues.  My daughters went to funerals where they were not sure of the order of service or language used.  I went along to be supportive and could help them navigate Greek Orthodox. Roman Catholic Mass in Latin, and even Evangelical Southern Baptist from my Methodist raising and Presbyterian adulthood.  A degree in music did not hurt.  I have taught them to respect what others believe, and to question their own beliefs before they just swallow them as is.  The only way someone is too... is if they do not have a place in their daily getting along for others who are doing their best to get along as well.  I am not very keen on the 7th day adventists who pass out Watchtower magazines like candy and quote bits of scripture to make their point...out of context.We like to say, if you don't like the weather here, just give it a few days...it will change.  My other most favorite southernism is "You want to hear God laugh...tell him your plans."  I think that fits no matter what name your deity is called by.