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To Hell and back: a drive through the Bible Belt
By Michael Canfield
On October 10, 2012
I attended my first "destination wedding" this weekend, in the aptly nicknamed City of Music, Nashville,
Tenn.
I had a great time on the trip, from exploring the various Honky Tonks to watching one of my cousins
marry the man she loves.
I guess I didn't see that specific part, actually.
Unfortunately, Cellar One, where the wedding was held, and Cellular One look quite similar on a GPS
device, and you can imagine the mistake I made. My cousin did not get married at the corporate
headquarters of Cellular One.
Anyway, I decided to drive to Nashville because of the high prices of flying. This sounds good in theory.
But a 12-hour car ride after attending a wedding the night before is less than ideal, I can assure you.
What I noticed on the drive down to Nashville, and the way back, were numerous billboards and signs
telling me (and other drivers) that I was going to Hell. I joked on the way back that whoever put the
signs up must have known I was going to miss my cousin's wedding ceremony. I mean, why else would I
be going to Hell?
All kidding aside, I don't understand the sentiment behind these signs. I try to live my life in an ethical
and moral manner. I have my moments, but I feel I've done a fairly good job at it. Who are these
mysterious sign-putter-uppers, and what's their problem with me?
I should point out that I am an atheist. I was raised Roman Catholic, but realized fairly early in my life
that it wasn't for me.
I would never tell anyone what they should and shouldn't believe. My closest friends are religious, and
some go to church regularly. I will never question them, or shun them or any of the weird things we
humans do to each other. I love them for who they are, not what they believe.
I understand that people have their beliefs and feel strongly about them. For many, belief in a higher
power and something greater than oneself is incredibly powerful and motivating.
It's never worked that way for me, for one reason or another.
That doesn't mean I don't respect people who've found peace and fulfillment in God. To the contrary, I
respect their ability to have faith, and to feel something so deep and meaningful to them. I'm even open
to having conversations about religion, and having my beliefs challenged, in a respectful manner.
I do object, however, to being told that I am going to Hell by a stranger I will most likely never encounter
in real life. Who wouldn't?
Michael Canfield can be reached by email at canfield.record@live.com.
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