Does the term “Bible Belt” still remain true for Southern states? Essay

Does the term â€Å"Bible Belt† still remain true for Southern states? Did Facing the Giants depict religious life in the South accurately? From before I can remember, I was attending church and a part of children’s musicals. Church is like a second home and a huge aspect of my life. Religion is a common ground for many Southerners, and is a place to gather and catch up with one another, while in other parts of the country it tends to be a touchy topic. Religion is one of many aspects that developed the South into what it is known for today. Facing the Giants, by Alex Kendrick, effectively represents the role of religion in the South through the literal translation of the Bible, the role it continues to play in daily lives, and how the South still embodies religious aspects. Facing the Giants is a biblically based movie made by Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia about religion and football. The film stars Coach Taylor, a mediocre football coach, for Shiloh Christian Academy Eagles. Everything is falling apart for Coach Taylor: his car continually breaks down, he is the reason his wife cannot become pregnant, and he is on the verge of being fired. With all of these things confronting him, he turns to the Bible, puts his life in God’s hands, and his life dramatically changes . He and the football team decide they are going to play football to glorify God and not necessarily to win; thus, whether they win or lose, they will glorify God. This change impacts the players, which in turn impacts the school, and a revival transpires. The Eagles play their next football game and win. They continue to win and make it to the semi-final round of the state playoffs. Sadly they lose in the semi-finals to the Panthers but still gl... ...characteristic traits of religion in the South and does a great job at giving insight to the significance and importance it has in the culture. As times are shifting and cultures are changing, the one thing that remains constant in the South is religion. Works Cited Facing the Giants. Dir. Alex Kendrick. Perf. Alex Kendrick, Shannen Fields, and Jason McLeod. Sony, 2006. DVD. Hook, Wade F. "Religious Regionalism: The Case Of Lutherans In The South." Review Of Religious Research 27.1 (1985): 77. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2012. Wilson, Charles Reagan. "Religion In The Southern States: A Historical Study." Religious Studies Review 16.3 (1990): 205-210. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials. Web. 6 Feb. 2012. Wilson, Charles Reagan and Mark Silk. Religion and Public Life in the South in the Evangelical Mode. Oxford: AltaMira Press, 2005. Print.