Back in the day (regardless of how much our people romanticize it), the dirtbags mugging you in NYC would be our Celtic forefathers. I’m not proud (or ashamed) of it; that is just the way it was. It never descended to the animal hatred in the cities today; all of us knew (Catholic or Protestant) that we would meet God someday, and have to give account.
I’m even more close-minded and tribal than in my younger days, because I know the only people I can really count on are my tribe.
Hear ya.
My extended family is 1/4 prot (my side), 3/4 catholic (wife’s side, what with the no birth control and all) and the rest of the defense league is neighbors, friends, etc. who may be even agnostics or democrats.
But, even the unbelievers know we got something special goin’ on and don’t want to jack with us.
I’ve got most of the young rednecks in the area attuned to my version of reality.