Hey!  I’m glad you’re here!  This post is part of a 31 Day writing challenge hosted by The Nester.  During the month of October, I’m writing on Southern A Way of Life.  I will be back to my ‘regular’ posts in November.  Consider pushing that follow button to the right for all my latest posts.  Thanks y’all!

Day 27

The term “Bible Belt” was coined in 1924 by H.L. Mencken, a journalist and social commentator for the Chicago Daily Tribune, in reference to the religious South.  Generally speaking, the term refers to socially conservative Christian Protestants found in the South and parts of the Midwest.  I have to admit, I was pleased to see that on a 2010 Gallup Poll (here) that reported on the states’ attendance at church, 9 out of the top 10 states were southern and my state was #1.  It was really nice to see my state get top billing for something good.  Typically, we are on the bottom.

Church is an important component in our society.  It’s a place of friend building and networking, not only a place of spiritual growth.  When meeting a southerner for the first time, within the first 5 questions, the person will be asked, “What church do you go to?” or “Do you have a church?”   Some might find this line of questioning off-putting, but to a southerner, the question is really about connecting that person to something and helping us understand and know that person better.

I can’t imagine my life without church.  Spiritually speaking, I like being connected to a community of believers who encourage me, inspire me, and hold me accountable in my faith journey.  I like the nourishment that I find for my spirit there.  Socially, most of my friends and activities are church centered.  I’m just a church girl.

To learn more about religion in America, Hartford Institute for Religion Research has all you need to know at this site, click here.

To view all of the posts in this series, click here

What church do you go to?  How important do you think church /faith is to a society?

Blessings,

Mimi

“They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.”  Nehemiah 9:3  NIV Bible