"He was the most religious person I've ever known, every time the church doors were open he was in church, always preachin to other people, in your face stuff, etc.
He was also the most evil person I have ever encountered "
No, Mineral Man, I wasn't thinking you were like that. After reading some other posters comments I just wanted to add my thoughts -- it does happen, especially up in these mountains in Appalachia, and probably all over the nation.
I also know some true Christians. There's a BIG DIFFERENCE between a religious person and a Christian. I happen to know both.
I have been saved, and I happen to spend a lot of my time, effort, and money helping other people. But I also know really religious people that would stab Jesus in the back for a dollar, or can be evil and sit in a church on Sunday and think that will acquit them of their sins, so they can go and do it again.
And from that experience in my early life I learned to have a real disdain for hypocrites. I've known hard core drunks, etc., who were better Christians than these phonies.
I am a hillbilly descended from a long line of Scotch Irish ancestors, the ones who came to this country and opened the "wilderness," who came through Cumberland Gap and began the great migration westward.
Some of them made corn whiskey (my grandpa) during prohibition, and some of them ran it (my Daddy, in true Thunder Road era). I have preachers, circuit riding preachers, etc., and sinners in my family. But there is nothing worse, no lower lifeform, than a person who uses religion to abuse, control, and hurt innocents.
They were here when Jesus walked the earth, and are now. But I have no use for these vipers, I lived through it and I know how harmful it can be.
And yes, in my experience these evil ones, the evilist, are in the minority.
BTW, my ex husband and his family thought I was crazy when I decided to go to college and get out of there. They made fun of me (I was a ninth grade dropout with a GED), but I've never looked back. I am now a writer/editor, have a college education and have been successful. The ex's nieces, nephews and others all have problems from this evil man, most are in prison or other bad situations. That evil man destroyed a lot of lives while shoutin' "Halilluia (sp) and putting on his act, and his handiwork has continued to destroy lives long after he died.
Me, I can't run as fast now, but I don't intend to be in a situation where I have to (grin). Naw, if I encounter another one like him I'll whack him upside the head, and I'll bet Jesus would forgive me for it in the end.