Why are their more believers and conservatives in the South then in the North ??I lived both places. Please lets not have a war over the question. I am looking for some constructive suggestions .
I don't think it is a matter of geographical location as it is a series of life choices that lead to those of certain ambitions migrating and settling in certain areas.
Those who placed great value on living a quite peaceable life tend to shun the big cities with all their problems in favor for a quite, rural setting, where less is often better.
Those who have their sights set on gain, things, and possesions gotten by hook, or crook, seek there fortunes, in the populated areas where opportunities abound, even if not ethical. They have an attitude that gain is Godliness, and let greed and lust direct their paths.
There are many exceptions, but I think that is the general rule.
The South has always been considered the "Bible Belt"........ Like Snooky mentioned, a layed back way of living and God fearing people. It has to do by the way it was instilled in us as youngsters mostly by our grandMa's sitting on the porch on a Hot lazy day.......Mostly Reddirt farmers (Red Necks) that all they had was the mercy of the Lord to fall back on......
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I think it is the result of cultural trends that were shaped by economic forces from the time the U.S. was first settled by Europeans. While there is agriculture in New England, the Carolinas, for example, have natural conditions more conducive to agriculture which encouraged a rural agriculture based economy in the South. While in the North, with fewer options to earn a living farming, many people turned to making and selling things to earn a living. As a result, as the 19'th century progressed the North developed an industrial economy while the South remained agricultural. As more immigrants arrived in the U.S. during the 19'th century they tended to be drawn to the North where manufacturing jobs were available and one could earn a living without owning a large amount of land.
The immigrants who settled in the North were from a wide range of religious and cultural traditions which required greater accomodation of people from different backgrounds on the part of both the people already living here and the immigrants. Also, as an industrial economy, the North had to experience continued technological innovation to keep its manufacturers competetive and that again requires people to be more open to new ideas and new ways of doing things and a greater emphasis on formal education. Meanwhile, the South remained agricultural with little industry. This resulted in the Southern population remaining religiously and culturally homogenous with much less of an imperitive to adopt new ideas or accept different people's cultures and religions.
The Civil War probably reinforced the cultural and religious divisions with many Southerners wanting to limit "Yankee" influences in their region. This has obviously changed in recent years with the Southern economy becoming more industry based. The victories in Virginia and North Carolina by President-elect Obama in the recent Presidential election may be an indication that at least parts of the South are becoming more like the North as more high technology industries set up operations there.
SP10, You are correct in many ways, but something that seems to be overlooked is the fact that most southerners, have "Yankee" roots prior to their migration southward. My "Van Pelt" roots arrived from Holland on the "Rosetree" at what is now Long Island. Many remained in New York and Penn. building and working the Erie Canal, and as merchant seamen. The Ezells came from France to England and then moved on to Virginia. The Buzbee clan came from England to the Carolinas. The Laney's settled in New England. The Driggers settled in the Carolinas. All followed the same migration routes across the Indian territories to The Pike County, Alabama area, then into Florida. This covered many years, and several moves, but always away from the industrial areas seeking a lifestyle different from what they were experiencing. A life where they were free and controlled their own destiny. A peaceable and quite life that wasn't found in the cities.
The North tends to be more liberal probably because it seems to be more fast paced, hi-tech, and materialized. Therefore, seperation from GOD is more likely. This is pure speculation however.
I think it is the result of cultural trends that were shaped by economic forces from the time the U.S. was first settled by Europeans. While there is agriculture in New England, the Carolinas, for example, have natural conditions more conducive to agriculture which encouraged a rural agriculture based economy in the South. While in the North, with fewer options to earn a living farming, many people turned to making and selling things to earn a living. As a result, as the 19'th century progressed the North developed an industrial economy while the South remained agricultural. As more immigrants arrived in the U.S. during the 19'th century they tended to be drawn to the North where manufacturing jobs were available and one could earn a living without owning a large amount of land.
The immigrants who settled in the North were from a wide range of religious and cultural traditions which required greater accomodation of people from different backgrounds on the part of both the people already living here and the immigrants. Also, as an industrial economy, the North had to experience continued technological innovation to keep its manufacturers competetive and that again requires people to be more open to new ideas and new ways of doing things and a greater emphasis on formal education. Meanwhile, the South remained agricultural with little industry. This resulted in the Southern population remaining religiously and culturally homogenous with much less of an imperitive to adopt new ideas or accept different people's cultures and religions.
The Civil War probably reinforced the cultural and religious divisions with many Southerners wanting to limit "Yankee" influences in their region. This has obviously changed in recent years with the Southern economy becoming more industry based. The victories in Virginia and North Carolina by President-elect Obama in the recent Presidential election may be an indication that at least parts of the South are becoming more like the North as more high technology industries set up operations there.
LOL! Nerd.[8D]Just kidding man, that was a good educated answer.It looks like youpayedgood attention in History fromthe reconstructionera on, A+!
I think to fully understand the reasons one has to look at the influence of Rome. Some say she was influencial in obtaing or at least steering her members to the rich farm lands of the midwest. When I was growing up in wisconsin I thouight everyone was catholic, except for a few lutherans here and there. I don't believe I even met a true christian till I was in my twenties. But it has changed quite a bit in the last few decades. Now it seems like the fastest growing churches are all evangelical.
North - South believers
Just kidding man, that was a good educated answer.It looks like youpayedgood attention in History fromthe reconstructionera on, A+!
