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Liberal North-Europe Meets Conservative South
Tiina Lamppula
from Finland
Tiina
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Sure I had heard about the Bible belt before I came to Mars Hill. Sure I knew that people are conservative in the South. Still it took me by surprise that the differences between Finland, my home country, and Mars Hill could be so great.
When I first heard that Mars Hill is a dry county I just couldn’t believe my ears. I had no idea such thing could exist in the 21st century in a western culture. In Finland everybody drinks. Some more, some less. A student from here spent one semester in Finland and she told me that in parties on campus even her professors were wondering why she wasn’t drinking. That’s where I’m from.
About 90 percent of all Finns are Lutherans, but Christianity does not have a long tradition in my country. Most people go to church when there is a wedding, a funeral or some other event. People don’t talk about religion or God much. I guess most people do believe in God, but religion is less on display in our society. And here I am in a Baptist school, where religion is everywhere. Everybody goes to church and people talk about religion a lot. That’s all new to me. I’m not used to talking about religion and sometimes I feel uncomfortable and confused when the subject is brought.
I have got into some heated debates with some of my friends. We feel so differently about many things like drinking, sex, abortion, and homosexuality. I am very liberal with my opinions, because I was brought up that way and that’s the way our society is. We even have a president, who left the church, was not married with her partner when elected and who has been the chairwoman of a Finnish National organization for Sexual Equality in the 80’s. Abortion is legal and easy to get and at the moment there is a big discussion going on about legalizing gay marriages. Common-law marriages are perfectly accepted and abstinence is unheard of.
Despite all the differences of my home country and Mars Hill, I love this place and I am really happy to be here. Even if I sometimes feel frustrated and confused, I think it’s very interesting to see and experience the southern way of life. Studying here at Mars Hill College is a unique experience for me and one that I will never forget.
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