As someone born and raised in a small rural area, I believe I am qualified to comment on

[csziggy]

44. Among Southern Baptists it's alway been that anyone can set up a church

I know, because I am descended from preachers who did just that. One of them, Charles Crow, was partially responsible for the establishment of the Southern Baptist Convention. Not only did he wander around central Alabama starting churches beginning in 1819, he also taught others to think as he did. Crow was not a nice man - even in his most adoring biographies, he did things that were abhorrent.

For instance, the church in South Carolina where he was ordained decided that they did not want any church official (deacons, preachers) to own slaves. That is when he picked up his household, including slaves, and moved to Alabama. There are many other stories about him.

Another of my ancestors, traveled around Alabama, building churches so he could preach at them. When his wife was dying from tuberculosis in 1904, she wrote him and asked for her favorite dress to be buried in (she was in a sanitarium). He refused since his new wife wanted to be married in that dress.

There are more family stories, but all of them (and my uncle who took up the family religious tradition) convinced me that religion is NOT a positive influence in society.