Being Accepted? (Columbia, Charleston, Greenville: violent crime, home, to buy)

[Marks]

Greetings,

As I mill my way around other state forums here on city-data, I find other states becoming more upset with outsiders moving in. For various reasons, mostly driving up the housing cost, many of the other states have a dislike for Californians doing this. Try as I might to convince people "we" (my family and I) are not like that they still dislike Californians. To be honest, even though I lived here 33 of my 43 years, I don't consider myself a Californian--because this state does not reflect my values, ethics, or beliefs. I would say I'm more southern than anything else.

I really had not thought that this was still happening. I remember when my sister moved from CA to Washington state in the 80’s they were disliked, had nasty messages left on their answering machine, yard vandalized, etc. eventually it passed and they have been fine ever since.

So, I guess my point is we do still need to be conscience about where we move, how we “might” be treated, and how we represent ourselves once we do we move. For us we just need a quieter and slower lifestyle, religious folk, less cost of living, and be ready to actively give to the community instead of take away.

Can anyone relate to this?

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by wsaiken

At the risk of beating this horse to within an inch of its life, I'm going to take my own whack.

I've lived in SC for 40 of my 42 years. It is, as others have described, easy to passively blend in. People will invite you to church and with a polite, "No thank you," you'll continue to enjoy Southern hospitality. If, however, you are openly offended by organized religion, some of the natives will act as if you are a personal threat.

Though I'm a regular church goer, I think organized religion --in particular, its prominence in SC politics -- is worthy of criticism. Were you inclined to agree with me, you might find SC less to your liking. I'm comfortable being viewed as a bit of a wingnut, but my accent, demeanor and familiarity make me seem less threatening.

I love SC as only a native can and I'm pleased that many of you have or will make it your home. I wish, however, some of you would choose not to blend in, but bring your agnostic Yankee sensibilities to bear whenever you see us do something stupid (and we will).

IN the small town in the Foothills of NC (not far from Greenville SC), where I used to live, they open the sessions of city counsel with prayer, "in Jesus name." That didn't bother me because I am was a pastor at the time and an evangelical. However, if that kind of thing really disturbs you, then the smaller towns in the South might not be for you.

[33458]

Originally Posted by Marks

Greetings,

As I mill my way around other state forums here on city-data, I find other states becoming more upset with outsiders moving in. For various reasons, mostly driving up the housing cost, many of the other states have a dislike for Californians doing this. Try as I might to convince people "we" (my family and I) are not like that they still dislike Californians. To be honest, even though I lived here 33 of my 43 years, I don't consider myself a Californian--because this state does not reflect my values, ethics, or beliefs. I would say I'm more southern than anything else.

I really had not thought that this was still happening. I remember when my sister moved from CA to Washington state in the 80’s they were disliked, had nasty messages left on their answering machine, yard vandalized, etc. eventually it passed and they have been fine ever since.

So, I guess my point is we do still need to be conscience about where we move, how we “might” be treated, and how we represent ourselves once we do we move. For us we just need a quieter and slower lifestyle, religious folk, less cost of living, and be ready to actively give to the community instead of take away.

Can anyone relate to this?

Marks, I think you'll do just fine there in Greenville. Really!

[flgargoyle]

Originally Posted by mhogan10010

IN the small town in the Foothills of NC (not far from Greenville SC), where I used to live, they open the sessions of city counsel with prayer, "in Jesus name." That didn't bother me because I am was a pastor at the time and an evangelical. However, if that kind of thing really disturbs you, then the smaller towns in the South might not be for you.

IMHO, we need more of that in this world, not less. I'm looking forward to moving to a community like that!

[nctarheel]

Originally Posted by Marks

Greetings everyone,

There seems to be a lot of talk on the board recently about going to SC and "being accepted." As many of you know I'm from California and hope to move to SC or some place in the South soon.

In CA. no one cares, no one says you are an odd ball (because 95% of the population is) and looks down on you for whatever faith you have--except Christianity. If your a Christian here your looked on as out of touch.

Having said that, I find it refreshing that a state or community would be willing to even invite you to Church. A lot of folks from all around the country are of no faith, a different faith, or are Christians. The fact is, the majority of the population in the US "say" they are Christian.

SC and the South is known as the Bible Belt. Everyone should know this going in. As many pointed out on this forum some places in SC are diverse and some are not, some are tolerant and some are not. This is how SC is. We are coming to their state, we are moving to a state that is predominately Protestant Christian. Now unless there is a motive to somehow change the stats quos, this is how it is. One may never be able to change how people view you, but you can't force them to accept you either. One of the big fears (I could be wrong someone from the South correct me if I am) of the people of the South is that "outsiders" (those not from the South) are coming in and trying to change the culture, the religion, and the traditions.

The point is, if you have misgivings about moving to an area that might not accept you, or treat you differently then don't move there. America is a huge country and there are places for everyone to feel welcome and fit in.

Mark

Could you post this in the NC forums as well?

[33458]

(Posting the same message on multiple forums is against the City Data user guidelines. See terms of use listed under FORUM RULES. )

[Be great]

We are tried of the "Godless" northeast and look forward to the Christains in South Carolina. Every time we have visited, the people have been caring and friendly. They have opened the door for us and said "thank you" and "you're welcome".

We are moving to South Carolina because of their Christian beliefs and pray that more states become like them in America. It is our Christian underpinnings that gives us all the freedom to worship and be who we are. Only Christianity lets you choose to believe in God or not.

If you want a pagan state that believes that might makes right then South Carolina is not for you. We think it is refreshing that people are living out the great commission in South Carolina. We are so thankful that God has called us to South Carolina.

[RCL]

Originally Posted by wsaiken

At the risk of beating this horse to within an inch of its life, I'm going to take my own whack.

I've lived in SC for 40 of my 42 years. It is, as others have described, easy to passively blend in. People will invite you to church and with a polite, "No thank you," you'll continue to enjoy Southern hospitality. If, however, you are openly offended by organized religion, some of the natives will act as if you are a personal threat.

Though I'm a regular church goer, I think organized religion --in particular, its prominence in SC politics -- is worthy of criticism. Were you inclined to agree with me, you might find SC less to your liking. I'm comfortable being viewed as a bit of a wingnut, but my accent, demeanor and familiarity make me seem less threatening.

I love SC as only a native can and I'm pleased that many of you have or will make it your home. I wish, however, some of you would choose not to blend in, but bring your agnostic Yankee sensibilities to bear whenever you see us do something stupid (and we will).

WOW, VERY WELL PUT! Thank you!

I am also looking into South Carolina for many reasons, natural beauty, good climate, access to the ocean, some economic stability and a more conservative way of life...and I have two thoughts here.

1) It's not Californians that are ruining or have ruined anything. It's the media who are irreverent, tale-tellers and will talk out both sides of their mouth if they can get a story. They create strife and division wherever they go. There are some good folk in the media on both sides of the political (and theological) spectrum, but 95% of the rest of them should have had their mouths washed out with soap and made to stand in the corner when they were kids. LOL Just my opinion. Same goes for the entertainment industry, and while we're on the subject, all these casinos that are popping up everywhere aren't helping anything either. So before you start complaining about Californians moving in to your state, start barking up these other trees first and more importantly, WRITE TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. Thank you from this (exiled) Californian.

2) Florida used to be considered a strict bible belt type place and just look at it now. Heck, 30 years ago, California used to be a Red state and very economically healthy. Just look at it now. My point is that over time anything can change. I would hope that wherever I relocate to does not become the same way as some of the large metropolitan areas of California, at least not within my lifetime, but it seems inevitable eventually because there are so many people leaving the heavily built-up areas in search of greener pastures.

There are just a couple of things I don't understand, such as (1) the overall high crime rate and (2) why there is still so much racism in the "bible belt" when clearly the apostle Paul in the bible addressed this issue (Galatians 3:28).

I realize this is not a theological thread and I'm not trying to start one. Noone's perfect, MOST of all not me, and I don't expect to find a perfect place, just a place with issues I don't mind dealing with. And even though I'm an evangelical, I still believe that it's good to have diversity and many different viewpoints, or else you can easily end up with a situation where the blind are leading the blind. However, what I find more often than not is just plain xenophobia (it's prevalent in Utah too).

But I would like to understand the social patterns of a place before moving. Utah was a temporary place for me and I went into it with that in mind, but next place I would like to be more permanent.

The only thing that would bug me with many other evagelicals I meet (the more hardcore ones) is if they are of the ridiculous mentality that God is white and a Republican, and that black people are poor because they choose it. There is no biblical basis for either of those viewpoints, so why then do you find it in the "bible belt"?

Proud to be thought of as another "wingnut" (LOL),
RCL

[Marks]

Originally Posted by RCL

I am also looking into South Carolina for many reasons…a more conservative way of life... (2) why there is still so much racism in the "bible belt" when clearly the apostle Paul in the bible addressed this issue (Galatians 3:28)...And even though I'm an evangelical, I still believe that it's good to have diversity and many different viewpoints, or else you can easily end up with a situation where the blind are leading the blind. However, what I find more often than not is just plain xenophobia (it's prevalent in Utah too)...The only thing that would bug me with many other evagelicals I meet (the more hardcore ones) is if they are of the ridiculous mentality that God is white and a Republican, and that black people are poor because they choose it. There is no biblical basis for either of those viewpoints, so why then do you find it in the "bible belt"?

RCL, great to have yet another Christian on the board and one moving to SC as well!

I appreciate your input on this matter. However, I respectfully disagree with a couple of things in your post.

(1) You said, "…why there is still so much racism in the "bible belt" when clearly the apostle Paul in the bible addressed this issue (Galatians 3:28)" This is the common verse that is used to justify classification of all races as one, and the unBiblical position of women ministers. If you will simply read the context and many other Bible passages on this you will see this is talking about salvation, not equality of the races. For if we simply follow this passage then there would be no men or women on the earth only agender? That's illogical. If you wish to take this off board you can PM me.

(2) I used to believe that diversity is ok, until illegals rampped up their migration. At this point in America, I am xenophobic for great reasons, look around you. I believe, as you, that this idea of God being white and a republican or any such thing is puerile. However, to love ones race, to honor our ancestors who gave their lives for our freedom, to protect our culture, way of life, and Christian heritage, is not wrong. When a people come and do not assimilate into our culture, but bring their own awful polluted customs in an all out effort to change our country that is what is very wrong, and that IS what is happening.

[Be great]

I do not agree with your opinion that the "south" is racist. If you really want racism, try the "godless" northeast. There they say one thing and do another.