[nmnita]

Originally Posted by fitzmcgee

True, this city is on the conservative side. But I honestly think it's just in the older generation. I'm 20 and 80% of people my age are completely opposite from their parents, grand-parents, etc. I think give this city a few decades and you'll see casinos and strip joints in no time. Not necessarily positive progression, but progression nonetheless :P

you are probably right and to LUVArkansas, No I didn't not grow up in the south but I do know many people in the south, from VA, TX, GA, Fl and yes, Arkansas. They do not stand in lines talking about God etc to strangers.

I am a happy person, (very happy) I am an older person (very old to some) as I said before, we are regular church members, love our church, our families, our country and our neighbors, we still do not flaunt our religion as it is and should be, in my opinion a personal thing. I don't expect everyone to agree with me or with my beleifs whether it has to do with religion or politics or any other thing. Would you stand in line and make a political statement? I hope not, I wouldn't.

Nita

[sandgirl]

^Flaunt religion? Huh, wonder what church you go to? Oh I get it...you are one of those religious people. Cause if you had a personal relationship with Christ you would shout it out loud.

[fitzmcgee]

Would or wouldn't shout it?


And I didn't realize talking about Fort Smith would lead to religion. But, then again, I guess since it's a major thing here in the south, it was bound to come up sometime.


This "standing in line and talking about God" discussion reminds me of Dane Cook on "A Vicious Circle" when he meets an atheist. Anyone seen it? Classic.

Anywhoo, let the discussion continue.

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by luvarkansas

I'm assuming you're using the word "pious" with a negative connotation. I see absolutely nothing "pious" about saying "God is good." Even to a complete stranger.

1. Pious per the Merriam Webster dictionary: "marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship;" or "marked by conspicuous religiosity.

2. She went further than "God is good."

3. I'm not giving the word "pious" a negative or positive connotation, it is what it is. I'm saying that making a conspicuously religious comment to a complete stranger is a bit off-putting.

[nmnita]

wow, this has turned into an interesting debate: I started by stating what our reasons for not being sold on Ft Smith were and now we are talking about whether or not one should "shout out" their love for God. I feel the same about politics and a few other subjects. I wouldn't approach someone I didn't know and tell them who's fault it is gas is so high (actually I don't know who's fault it is ) I have my own ideas on this, but they are that, my ideas. I am not going to say to someone in line why I don't like Obama or Hillary or maybe McCain, just because I have strong views and I would never start a conversation about straight versus gay life styles if I had no idea who I was speaking with. We aren't talking about wearing a cross or maybe a star of David. We are talking about making statements to people that could be offensive. I know my views on many subjects are not shared by everyone, I do not hesitate to let people know how i feel, but I hope I never make statements on these matters to someone in a way that might make them uncomfortable.

Nita

[DC at the Ridge]

Nita

I think it was the request for validation, the "don't you agree?" that to me would have been off-putting. A simple comment like "God is good," would have garnered a smile as I politely moved on, and I'm sure from your posts, you were polite and even cordial as you continued with your meal. People are free to "shout out" their faith, as far as I'm concerned, but when you try to draw people in, even in as innocuous a way as this seemed to be, it strikes me as somewhat jarring.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by fitzmcgee

And I didn't realize talking about Fort Smith would lead to religion. But, then again, I guess since it's a major thing here in the south, it was bound to come up sometime.

Talking about Ft. Smith always leads to religion. Its the most religiously conservative major town in Arkansas, and probably in the running for the whole country. Ft. Smith's atmosphere and attitude is defined by religious conservatism, the same as Fayetteville's is defined by the college and the arts community, Rogers by businessmen, upscale shopping, and gated communities, and so on.

Originally Posted by fitzmcgee

True, this city is on the conservative side. But I honestly think it's just in the older generation. I'm 20 and 80% of people my age are completely opposite from their parents, grand-parents, etc. I think give this city a few decades and you'll see casinos and strip joints in no time. Not necessarily positive progression, but progression nonetheless :P

I hope that doesn't happen to Ft. Smith because casinos and strip joints are usually a sign of economic stagnation. I hope that town can land a high profile employer one of these days. A new white collar, or even manufacturing major employer would turn that place around in no time.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

Nita

I think it was the request for validation, the "don't you agree?" that to me would have been off-putting. A simple comment like "God is good," would have garnered a smile as I politely moved on, and I'm sure from your posts, you were polite and even cordial as you continued with your meal. People are free to "shout out" their faith, as far as I'm concerned, but when you try to draw people in, even in as innocuous a way as this seemed to be, it strikes me as somewhat jarring.

you are right and yes, I was polite and cordial. I agreed with her, but sometimes wish i had said something like "oh God is the chef today, I thought he took a day off? " Of course I wouldn't really say that.

I think this is like a thread about a week ago, the comment may have come from you: when someone asked about the acceptance of mixed relationships and the comment was "no one will think twice about it unless it is flaunted" like going into a baptist church and letting everyone know you are totally pro-life or something like that. I don't remember exactly the details, but it boils down to "there is a time and place for everything"

Nita

[sandgirl]

^Thank God Jesus did not take the day off.

[boulder]

Jesus has been in Fayetteville all week standing at the corner of College and Township (just north of Bill & Tony's Liquor Store), dressed in a sheet, yelling messages at drivers while pulling around a large wooden cross with bicycle training wheels. It was hot out there today so my guess is he will take Friday off.