Sin is sin - wherever you go.
The term "Bible Belt" is not a name that we chose for ourselves here in the South. We do not use it in characterizing ourselves or distinguishing ourselves from others. The term was coined by H.L. Mencken, a journalist from Baltimore. He was the man who covered the Scopes trial and re-named them the "Monkey Trials". He was a staunch critic of the South, having called it an "intellectual desert", and a critic of fundamentalist Christianity.
His labeling us as the Bible Belt was intended to be an insult. He was quite ignorant about the South and had many, many preconceived notions - as do many people - until he actually came here.
When he came to Tennessee for the Scopes trial, this is what he said.
"The town, I confess, greatly surprised me. I expected to find a squalid Southern village, with darkies snoozing on the horse blocks, pigs rooting under the houses and the inhabitants full of hookworm and malaria. What I found was a country town of charm and even beauty."
H.L. Mencken was quickly disillusioned the Tennessee town, however. He soon said this.
"This town is a universal joke. There is no gambling. There is no place to dance. The relatively wicked, when they would indulge themselves, go to Robinson's drug store and debate theology."
This term was not intended to imply that Southerners have higher moral standards, but that Southerners are more ignorant and less enlightened than the general population.
It was not intended to be kind.
