What if not Christian? (Charlotte, Raleigh: house, live, restaurant)

[goldfire99]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

And, as for the Jewish comments I’ve heard….ah…if you are talking to people about anything, I find that they normally aren’t afraid to share such negative opinions they hold about those they deem inferior. (The Jewish comment came up when I mentioned to someone that someone I know was starting a business. They asked his name as they were interested in the service, and when I told them (it is a Jewish sounding name, though I have no clue if they are or not) this person precedes to tell me his opinion of Jews and that no ‘good Christian’ should ever deal with a Jewish owned business! Hard to bloody avoid that one.

Glad someone pointed the above out. My first year in Asheville I overheard a native's mother talking about Jews. The comments she made were so ignorant, so stupid I couldn't believe my ears.

I think many in the Asheville area don't truly understand Judiasm. Maybe if they did they would cease spewing out Anti-Semitic remarks (which you will find in any region).

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

We did move into new construction! In a new development! Thankfully most folks are very nice, but the Christian bullies have made a point of saying nasty things (Too bad none of them can even follow the rules of the HOA themselves!) and the new folks they got ahold of threatened my life for not being Christian after moving in three days before! (Talk about a WHOA moment!)

I am surprised about your middle school (WF-R?). At Ligon the United Nations has continued, which is great. At the last birthday party we had girls from 5 different countries (US, Cuba, Iraq, Mexico and Canada) and NC natives and transplants from within the US.

I don’t personally have a problem at work, as we transplanted with many others from my area up North (it’s funny to work with folks down here that I went to high school up there!), and almost all of upper management is from Ohio, but it has been a problem from friends of mine with other employers.

The worst, a woman, fully qualified was flat out told at the smaller business she worked at that unless she started attending an approved of Baptist church and be ‘saved’ she would never been promoted as she couldn’t be trusted if she Catholic!. She found another job, even though this one had great hours and was close to home.

We haven’t found much ‘Yankee hating’ thought it was sort of tense at times at work when we first came down. I’ve found that after 3 years that most of us Northerners are pretty well accepted. It took some time for everyone to get used to each other. Rock says it’s never been an issue for her at school. Occasionally we’ll hear some silly comment when out in town and once when invited a couple we thought we could be friends with to go have a drink at O’Dweyer’s and watch a ‘Canes game and they were offended that we’d want them to go into a ‘Yankee Bar’ and watch a ‘Yankee’s game’. Needless to say, we crossed them off the list of folks to socialize with in the future!.

Seems as though we had alot of the same experiences. My kids were miserable, my husband was looked over for work and told to many times, if we joined a church we would get more work. I got tired of having to explain I didnt like church ,only to get the look. We moved, I got tired of it and my kids come first. Some people are just not meant to live in the south.

[Ms.Charlotte]

I'm quite aware there are all types of people in every religion. You, however, are painting only a negative picture of Christians.

Prejudice is never a surprise to me. Readers of these posts also have to be aware that you DO have an agenda. You really didn't address any of the questions I had. You also back pedaled on the subject of the ichthus. You did, indeed, portray it as a symbol of exclusion.

People ARE vocal about their religions and cultures in other parts of the country and especially in the North. It's just not usually the Christians who are the vocal ones. So, you've moved into an area where the culture is predominantly Christian and you label it "bragging" to be proud of it.

I'm definitely not going to get into a personal debate over this. Perhaps you do live in an area where this behavior is the norm. I'm completely ignorant about Wake Forest, I'll admit. But I won't let you paint this ugly picture of all Christians.

Concerning your comments that Christians are supposed to be kind and loving like Jesus, we strive to be Christ-like. It's a life long journey. That doesn't mean we are perfect, or think we are perfect, or even better than any one else. It also doesn't mean we aren't allowed to get angry, and I'll have to admit, you're probably the only person on this board who has made me this angry. And I've been here for a while.

Exactly why I need to stop posting on this thread.
I will pray for you to have and open heart, because it seems you are being as judgmental as those whom you say have offended you.

Peace to you.

[ncsu99]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Just to help you understand the southern Christian a little better, I want to tell you that in the south we aren't BRAGGING about our religions (when you see the fish symbol, bumper stickers or other religious signs). We are just not afraid to acknowledge our faith as a part or our daily lives. Having these symbols on a storefront is not meant to say that store only wants to deal with other Christians - they are just saying they are proud to stand up for Jesus, something we view as an honor to be able to do.

And that one (1!) person had degrogatory remarks about a Jewish buisness owner does not in any way mean the majority of folks feel that way. Of all the different christians I know (Catholic, Baptist, Methodist) they would have been as appalled as you to hear such a thing. Don't let a minority opinion like that represent NC for you - please!

100% correct. As Christians (myself included) we are supposed to be the reflection of Christ. I try my best everyday to do so, but I am human just as everyone else on this planet. I feel strongly that Christians should support Jews as well as Christians, even if we don't agree on who the Savior is. The Jewish people are the chosen people of God after all, according to the covenant He made with Abraham in Genesis 15.

[Lizardlips]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Whoa....now...talk about getting ahead of yourself here. I never said that the ichthus was a hate symbol. (And yes I do know what it stands for, but I often run into people that don’t know the term ichthus so I included an explanation of what I am talking about.

In the north, you seldom, if ever see them. People just don’t to around bragging about what religion they may or may not be. Certainly not to the extent you do down here. Most businesses wouldn’t put such a thing on their store front either, because they want business from everyone…not only certain groups. You also don’t find them on the back of cars…and not with the school of baby fishes to denote children in the family. That is a very southern thing.

And, as for the Jewish comments I’ve heard….ah…if you are talking to people about anything, I find that they normally aren’t afraid to share such negative opinions they hold about those they deem inferior. (The Jewish comment came up when I mentioned to someone that someone I know was starting a business. They asked his name as they were interested in the service, and when I told them (it is a Jewish sounding name, though I have no clue if they are or not) this person precedes to tell me his opinion of Jews and that no ‘good Christian’ should ever deal with a Jewish owned business! Hard to bloody avoid that one.

This seems to be all a real surprise to you, and to have hit a hard spot that not every Christian is a credit to your religion and that they do effect the rest of us in negative ways.

I don't know what part of the "north" you are talking about, but knock it off.
YOu don't know ALL OF THE NORTH and you don't know ALL OF THE SOUTH, you are just unhappy with something in your life I guess. I live in CA, and believe me, religion is religion, it is always a heated battle. I see ichthus all the time on cars, on business's in the yellow book. Come on, find something to really be unhappy about and STOP GENERALIZING!!

[nctarheel]

Typically I try to avoid posts like this, but I have to say that after reading posts not only here about Christianity but other forums, not to mention conversations with other people in life in general, the most derogatory and ignorant comments come from people who bash Christianity.

[JoanieL]

I live north of Asheville in the town of Weaverville. Maybe it's the exception and not the rule, but since moving here 7 years ago we have experienced very little of "the look" about not going to church. My neighbors across the road are generation's old in these mountains, and frankly, for what reasons I do not know, don't attend church and will have nothing to do with those that preach church TO them. To our right is a gal who moved here half a year ago from New York City and from what I can see she has nothing to do with any church. Off down the road is a set of condos and many there are transplants from either up north or from the mid-west ....and we haven't heard any churchy things from them either! We have had numerous "disciples" land on our doorstep in the past 7 years - - we kindly ask them to please remove themselves from our property as quickly as they can, and they oblige quite readily. We move in circles throughout this area that are either non-religious or with those that don't try to push their particular brand of faith at us or on us. I think that in the mountains of Western North Carolina today that you can tailor-make your living experience here - - you can be as churchy as you want to be that's for sure as there is no shortage of any sort of faith one might want to follow ....or, you can live without all that and move in circles that are mostly non-religious. I do think it's important to watch WHERE you decide to live if you move to NC - check out the neighborhood first, maybe knock on some doors near where you'd like to buy a home and kindly ask questions "in general" about the neighborhood. Look for things like crosses in the front yard, signs that proclaim Jesus is Lord, or fish symbols on cars, or We Still Pray stickers on car bumpers, etc. Buying a home is a major investment and I think if one is not particularly religious that buying a home only to be surrounded by neighbors who are openly preachy might be a very sad thing indeed. Live and let live I say ...but do take time to research the very neighborhood where you intend on living first.

[Carolina_native]

Originally Posted by JoanieL

I live north of Asheville in the town of Weaverville. Maybe it's the exception and not the rule, but since moving here 7 years ago we have experienced very little of "the look" about not going to church. My neighbors across the road are generation's old in these mountains, and frankly, for what reasons I do not know, don't attend church and will have nothing to do with those that preach church TO them. To our right is a gal who moved here half a year ago from New York City and from what I can see she has nothing to do with any church. Off down the road is a set of condos and many there are transplants from either up north or from the mid-west ....and we haven't heard any churchy things from them either! We have had numerous "disciples" land on our doorstep in the past 7 years - - we kindly ask them to please remove themselves from our property as quickly as they can, and they oblige quite readily. We move in circles throughout this area that are either non-religious or with those that don't try to push their particular brand of faith at us or on us. I think that in the mountains of Western North Carolina today that you can tailor-make your living experience here - - you can be as churchy as you want to be that's for sure as there is no shortage of any sort of faith one might want to follow ....or, you can live without all that and move in circles that are mostly non-religious. I do think it's important to watch WHERE you decide to live if you move to NC - check out the neighborhood first, maybe knock on some doors near where you'd like to buy a home and kindly ask questions "in general" about the neighborhood. Look for things like crosses in the front yard, signs that proclaim Jesus is Lord, or fish symbols on cars, or We Still Pray stickers on car bumpers, etc. Buying a home is a major investment and I think if one is not particularly religious that buying a home only to be surrounded by neighbors who are openly preachy might be a very sad thing indeed. Live and let live I say ...but do take time to research the very neighborhood where you intend on living first.

So your advice is to watch for Jesus fish, crosses, 'We still pray' bumper stickers? Wow, the horror. What kind of crazy people put that stuff on their cars? Keep us up to date on this please.

Guess Ill be on the lookout for those still with their Kerry-Edwards 2004 bumper stickers.

[Ms.Charlotte]

Originally Posted by JoanieL

We move in circles throughout this area that are either non-religious or with those that don't try to push their particular brand of faith at us or on us.

I do think it's important to watch WHERE you decide to live if you move to NC - check out the neighborhood first, maybe knock on some doors near where you'd like to buy a home and kindly ask questions "in general" about the neighborhood. Look for things like crosses in the front yard, signs that proclaim Jesus is Lord, or fish symbols on cars, or We Still Pray stickers on car bumpers, etc. Buying a home is a major investment and I think if one is not particularly religious that buying a home only to be surrounded by neighbors who are openly preachy might be a very sad thing indeed. Live and let live I say ...but do take time to research the very neighborhood where you intend on living first.

Hi Joanie. I know your intentions were good here. You were trying to make some valid points about researching the area. But can you see how you've also made living close to Christians sound so negative?

Having Christians as neighbors does not mean they will be preaching to you. I'm not sure if you realize that. I have a "fish symbol" on my car but have never been "preachy" and I'm quite "churchy" (where are these words coming from??).

I'm just as loving and warm to Jews, atheist, and any one else as long as THEY don't behave as though living next to devout Christians is the equivalent of living next to lepers.

I don't know what it is-maybe I live in a part of NC that's different? Anyone on here from Union County that could give me some insight?

Oh, and for the record, I've NEVER in my life seen anyone with a Cross prominently displayed on their front lawn--even in NJ, where you can find the statue of the Virgin Mary on someone's lawn every few blocks or so.

[Ms.Charlotte]

I really can't speak about Concord, but I have found it very accepting here. We were in South Charlotte first, and now we are in Union County. My children are often the only Jewish kids in their classes, but the other children are more interested in learning about the Jewish religion to the point that it sometimes makes my kids feel special. Go figure...

I have found we are more "religious" (for lack of a better word) since we moved here from NY for the very reason that there are not a lot of Jews here (relatively speaking, of course) Shalom Park is the center of Jewish life here -- has the Jewish Day School, the religious schools for both Temples, the Charlotte Jewish Preschool and the JCC -- all on the same grounds. It is a beautiful campus and definitely worth seeing when you visit. My kids play interfaith basketball through the JCC and they attend the day camp as well. (http://www.jcccharlotte.org/)

As always, let me know if you have other questions


This is a post by south.charlotte&union in another thread on the Charlotte forum. I thought it was pretty relevant here. If people of the Jewish faith and Christian faith get along so well, why is Christianity such an issue for others?