Mattingly at GetReligion is discussing the Anthony song. He quotes a religion prof:
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“The song was immediately politicized, even though there have always been country songs with singers lamenting the state of their lives and the state of America,” said David Watson, a theologian and country-music fan. He is academic dean of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, near a Rust Belt poverty zone with historic ties to Appalachia.
It would appear, said Watson, that this hillbilly songwriter is – to use a popular research term – a “nothing in particular” believer, one without ties to organized religion. This is precisely the kind of American that many church leaders are struggling to understand.
“There’s a strong spiritual yearning in this music and in his story,” said Watson. “While many of our churches today claim that they’re trying to be ‘seeker friendly,’ I’m not sure they’re ready to welcome this kind of seeker.”
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Struggling to understand? The answer is in another well-known song.
R. E. S. P. E. C. T.
In the ’80s when I was down and nearly out, I tried several churches. The mainlines were exclusively for high status LGBTQA2HR7EX#IRZ and had no room for a low status frustrated heterosexual. The evangelicals were less elite, but they had a solidly linked social structure of married couples with no open slots. Both of them looked down on me with the usual condescension. Hooded eyes, imperceptible headshake, not wasting words or energy on the Untouchable.
If you want to welcome outsiders, take the Chickasaw approach, which is also the Sharia approach and the FDR approach.
People need to be useful. People need to work. Allow the newcomer to take part in the chores at the same time that you allow him to receive the messages and blessings.
Above all RESPECT him. Make goddamn sure that everyone looks at him on the level, without the slightest hint of fakery or arrogance.
Polistra's Mill 