When I first read Christian Trejbal’s commentary in The Roanoke Times, the one entitled Southwest Virginia is for haters, I knew the feedback to the paper would be loud and filled with misplaced pride over the area’s so-called “values.”
Sadly, I was right. The message board on The Times Web site is filled with just the kind of hate that Trejbal so aptly described.
So, of course, I had to throw in my nickel’s worth:
The tone of so many of the responses posted here proves just how correct Christian is in his blunt assessment of the region. Hate flows off the page.
I’m a Floyd Countian who worked for The Times from 1965-69 before leaving the area for 35 years.
When I returned in 2004, it saddened me to see intolerance and bigotry still existing so openly, ministers still preaching it from the pulpit and the Klan still holding rallies at Burnt Chimney and flying the Stars and Bars while marching in parades in Carroll and Grayson counties.
Traditions die hard in the Commonwealth, especially the bad ones. The fact that the anti-gay marriage amendment passed so easily and that Southwestern Virginia almost kept George Allen in office proves that.
i think it’s just as ignorant to call someone a “hater” just because they won’t condone a lifestyle that others approve of. the Bible is clear about God’s thoughts on homosexuality and if you are a christian, you follow the teachings of the Bible. our society says to tolerate all other forms of religion, even the muslim religion, whose Koran tells them to kill all infidels. but it’s a double standard b/c society attacks christians and their beliefs, as to be expected- Jesus said we would be hated by this world. we wouldn’t be faithful to our religion if we only picked and chose which passages of scripture to believe and which not to, just following the ones we want to follow. and society doesn’t call on any other religion to do the same. so, no i don’t condone homosexuality or homosexual marriages and won’t vote to support them, but in no shape or form, do i hate those practicing the lifestyle. God calls us to love everyone, but not to condone what we believe are sinful choices.
SWVA is wonderful, and I hope it never sells out to imported ideas as a region’s true identity comes from within.