Bars VS Churches: In the bible belt is there really a difference?

So beside feeling like I’ve mastered the art of time traveling, moving from Los Angeles to the tiny town of Rolla, Missouri was a more of a culture shock than any experience abroad. And my passport doesn’t have a page without at least one stamp in it.

Now I’m a bartender at a sports bar. Well technically, Bruno’s is a British Pub. Maybe because two of the owners are British, but the scottish eggs are off the menu now. Missourians are more into deep fried pickles.

So far in this experience I’ve thought a lot about how when we used to move around when I was younger, my parents always sought out a church as a way to help settle in. In Oklahoma we only had three options since Catholics were a rare species. All my Baptist and whatever other variations of Christianity there were in those parts, were always trying to get me saved anyway, so my idea of religion just faded away like all of their family bibles they asked me to pray on and feel the love of Christ.

Now though, I think I reverted back to what my parents taught me. Maybe the community part is what they were seeking. And that is exactly what I’ve done, except it just so happens in my new community I pour pints and mix drinks. I also sit there and listen to the bar flies grumble about their terrible day at work or how this wife is cheating or that husband is off with another woman. Now that’s just like a confession, isn’t it? Except I don’t make anyone recite any Hail Mary’s. Usually a shot can cure anything.

Then there are those few people that you wished you saw a little bit less of. There was one guy who shared all the stories of his DUI and DWI records, after I poured him a pitcher of beer, of course. A woman gets real friendly with all the men only to call her husband to come pick her up, but I’m glad she doesn’t ever try to drive home. Another guy who drinks his lunch every day. I get so excited when he only orders sprite.

Now, too much of church can do the same thing to people. Those religions that boycotted Harry Potter. The people making enlarged posters of fetus outside abortion clinics. Families telling their own gay child that he’ll go to hell. It all seems to stem from fear, and doing something out of love seems so much more “Godly”. So with that in mind, just like drinking, all things in moderation, even Church.

I actually love this job. I’ve made friends. I get paid more than I would have for sitting on the couch reading books all day–but if there is ever a job like that, PLEASE INFORM ME! I am getting paid to talk with people. My favorite pastime.

With every conversation, I tell myself, “In this moment, my only job is to listen to every word.”