Religion in the Bible Belt
Daniel Crisman
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: ViewPoint
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I believe it is noteworthy to mention that this interview took place sitting on the grass against a tree.
Yet despite harming none and being in tune with nature, she says she still encounters some prejudice, more in Tennessee than home in Ohio. "I definitely get a lot more stares. I get a lot more negativity down here. I've been told so many times that I'm going to hell."
So it does seem that discrimination among alternate religions is more common in the Bible Belt, but is it possible that this is just due to the larger number of Christians, who may share the same view as Jeremy. He said, "I believe that Christ is our way into heaven." Lauren had the same view, saying, "God gave us all free will, but I believe you can only get to heaven through Jesus."
Niko was not so keen on this philosophy. She said, "There are a lot of Christians down here, but personally I don't believe in it. But I believe what I believe, so that's cool." She has a more open-minded view of other religions, and believes that many paths are valid.
My final interview brought about even yet another point of view. Dylan Cole is an atheist from right here in Johnson City, he is also a freshman. "I wasn't brought up with any specific beliefs, and when I thought about it, I couldn't see any reason to worship any sort of god that there is no proof for," he said. "People don't seem to believe that you can't believe in anything." He went on to say that it didn't affect his life. "I'm the way I am because of my experiences and the things I've done."
Throughout the interviews, I did not see any stereotypes created, or any truly broken, either. But I did gain insight to the similarities and differences between people, no matter their beliefs. And I think that is the truth we should all hold onto.
Yet despite harming none and being in tune with nature, she says she still encounters some prejudice, more in Tennessee than home in Ohio. "I definitely get a lot more stares. I get a lot more negativity down here. I've been told so many times that I'm going to hell."
So it does seem that discrimination among alternate religions is more common in the Bible Belt, but is it possible that this is just due to the larger number of Christians, who may share the same view as Jeremy. He said, "I believe that Christ is our way into heaven." Lauren had the same view, saying, "God gave us all free will, but I believe you can only get to heaven through Jesus."
Niko was not so keen on this philosophy. She said, "There are a lot of Christians down here, but personally I don't believe in it. But I believe what I believe, so that's cool." She has a more open-minded view of other religions, and believes that many paths are valid.
My final interview brought about even yet another point of view. Dylan Cole is an atheist from right here in Johnson City, he is also a freshman. "I wasn't brought up with any specific beliefs, and when I thought about it, I couldn't see any reason to worship any sort of god that there is no proof for," he said. "People don't seem to believe that you can't believe in anything." He went on to say that it didn't affect his life. "I'm the way I am because of my experiences and the things I've done."
Throughout the interviews, I did not see any stereotypes created, or any truly broken, either. But I did gain insight to the similarities and differences between people, no matter their beliefs. And I think that is the truth we should all hold onto.