Tomorrowland!

[IainH]

The farthest south I've ever been is Virginia, and even then only for maybe (or not even) a day.

The farthest west I've been is probably Kalamazoo, MI or South Bend, IN.

I'm not well traveled, but I did go to Montreal for a few days.

So...what about Billy Graham? Haha.

You need to take your family for a ride down the Blue Ridge Parkway, I believe you'll find a more pleasant, accommodating people anywhere. Folk art is plentiful as a matter of fact they have bluegrass and gospel "pickin' and a grinnin'" sessions within earshot of my front deck, that brings in people to buy their pottery. I'm a old school hard rock guy myself but the visitors seem to like it.
   My family moved to Scotland when I was seven, it may seem odd to Americans but, religious instruction was still part of the public school system, assembly as it was called was held once a week, I was also involved in the Boy's Brigade both were within the purview of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) which accounts for my reformed bent. I was also exposed to Protestant/ Roman Catholic sectarianism which was every bit as fervent as found in Northern Ireland. Many of my mother's family were Masons and Orange Lodge members and had strong opinions on Papists, fenians, left footers and taigs. I fell for it until I was old enough to think for myself when I decided that neither side had a monopoly on God and because of it I became if not quite a full on Atheist, an avowed agnostic. The only contact I had with evangelical types was on vacation when I was fifteen and I met a youth leader for a group of Christian kid campers, I went to their campfire weiny roast where they sang kum ban yah type stuff. I did feel something stir in me, I believe that was the first time God touched His finger to my heart. I moved back to the US on my own in 1984 and saw my first BG Crusade on TV, I thought it weird that one mans charisma could draw so many people based on what seemed to be a rational decision based on the options he layed out. "That many people fell for that shit?" was my thinking. Living and working in the bible belt was definitely a culture shock, finding Jack T Shit bible tracts on your windshield wipers and "do you know Jesus as your personal savior, have you accepted Christ?" did not jive with what I had been taught that salvation was God's gift and not a decision you make for yourselves. So, no I never have understood the godlike status Mr Graham held in American Christianity. I exercise very little free will in my life. I choose what coffee I drink but, everything else is governed by my duties and obligations as a husband and father. I would love to exercise free will and pack my stuff on my ole Harley and disappear. I tend to believe that free will is a western illusion. There is a certain degree of free choice in how we choose to relate to one another, I believe in the matter of salvation I fall on the side of Irresistible Grace as a gift of God and not the mental working of a fallen reason in making a choice in the flesh. I find that argument to be built on sand. Sorry once again for absolutely inexcusable long windedness. I'm just as bad in person, ask my beloved.... On second thought don't.