Fear is what drives far too many of us in the US right now. The majority of the most fearful live in the less populated rural areas of the country. You only need to look at the red/blue map to see that reality. Here are some causes as I see it of this inordinate fear:
For many of these folks fear is due to just not knowing others different than themselves. Due to their isolated conditions, they just have a much smaller worldview than many of us.
Education is another factor. Almost twice as many urban Americans have college degrees as rural Americans.
Another statistic is that many more in rural areas than urban end up living their lives close to where they were born.
I personally am part of several minority groups. As a result, I am not afraid of the barbarians at the gate as I am one of them to many of you. I want to tell you who are afraid of being a minority that in some ways is a very freeing thing. It helps you relate to all those you once feared. It gives you an additional dose of empathy. It makes you a better Christian if that is your flavor of spirituality.
The Urban/Suburban ratios are quickly changing and if the rural folks don’t widen their worldview they have the distinct possibility of becoming irrelevant in tomorrow’s world. When they realize that the barbarians at the gate aren’t really barbarians, after all, they will have happier and less fearful lives. Don’t we all want that?
