From the OP link:
Appalachians are very independent, they are very contented with the places that they live, they are very close to nature, they have a deep sense of a belief in God, and they have a deep sense of being friendly and kind to one another and helping one another, and taking care of everyone else in their needs. Appalachians also have a strong sense of what is right and what ought to be and a deep mistrust of anyone who is new, anyone who is a stranger. They resist change.
Since I live in a rural area of NC, over the years I've had the opportunity of friendship with a number of people from the hills. Further, early in my life, I lived much like the hillfolk that is so degraded today by others. Lived in a sharecropper farmhouse without benefit of wall switches and flushing toilets.
That said, I'm fortunate that I learned from childhood to share many of their values.
"Appalachians are very independent" - From the secular standpoint I believe in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, as originally written. I'm not entitled to anything that I didn't earn by the sweat of my brow. From the biblical standpoint, I believe that if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat. Believe, too, that if I only have a biscuit and my neighbor is hungry through no fault of his own, then he should have half of my biscuit.
"they are very contented with the places that they live" - True contentment doesn't come from what so many seem to value today. For me, true contentment is to be able to stand on the front porch and watch the sun rise. To thank God for another day. To thank God for the many blessing that fill my life everyday. To thank God that I don't need a fine home, new cars, designer labels on my Wal-Mart jeans to be happy. To thank God that I can go to church on Sunday morning without fear of punishment. To thank God He's given me the opportunity to learn how to cook a possum, use a washboard, and make leather britches beans.
"they are very close to nature" - Seeing God's handiwork in all that's around us. Dogwoods are coming into bloom where I live. Wild violets are blooming. Trees around us are showing a faint green haze as buds have broken open. Soon they'll be offering welcome shade as God revs up a new growing season.
"they have a deep sense of a belief in God" -
"and they have a deep sense of being friendly and kind to one another and helping one another, and taking care of everyone else in their needs."
"also have a strong sense of what is right and what ought to be"
"and a deep mistrust of anyone who is new, anyone who is a stranger." - Shouldn't we all have a similar mistrust? Aren't we warned of wolves in sheep's clothing? Aren't we warned to beware of strangers bearing gifts? I didn't say not to be a good samaritan. Just to be cautious about the one offering apples until you know his motives.
"They resist change." - "Change" took prayer out of schools. Change approved abortion. Change brought about an "entitled" society. Change has brought porn to our TV screens. Change may soon make reading of God's word from a pulpit a "hate" crime. -- In 5 days we are going to
fundamentally CHANGE America.
All that said, I don't disagree with statements that there are problems in the Appalachians, just as they are everywhere else. Perhaps some specific problems are worse there than in others. That can be said for other problems in other areas, as well.
Stereotyping others, IMO, is a tool that satan uses for his purposes. Especially when stereotyping focus is designed for the purpose of wrongful humiliation to force an "agenda" upon others.
Just a handfull of solid copper pennies this morning.
