The Bible Belt is a Noose

There’s a fine line between a belt that holds you together and one that holds you down.
Down in the South, we’ve mistaken the two for far too long.

The Bible Belt isn't holding up the pants of righteousness.
It's choking the life out of the people it's supposed to protect.

For generations, folks have wrapped themselves in that belt like it's a badge of honor – quoting scripture with a Southern drawl while swinging policies that do more harm than hellfire ever could. But if you look a little closer, that "belt" looks less like holiness and more like a noose. And what it’s hanging is justice, dignity, and basic human rights.

Let’s talk about it.

Love the Sinner, Lynch the Queer

That whole “love the sinner, hate the sin” thing? That isn't love. It’s just a softer way of saying “you don’t belong here.”

Churches across the South have weaponized theology like a shotgun behind the pulpit. LGBTQIA+ folks have been told they’re “abominations” by pastors who couldn’t exegete their way out of Leviticus with a concordance and a flashlight. Trans kids are being hunted by laws that get cheered in churches. Drag queens are banned, but predatory youth pastors are protected.

It’s not about holiness. It’s about control. And they’ve been using the Bible as rope and doctrine as the hangman's drop.

Women, Sit Down and Shut Up (In Jesus’ Name, Amen)

Let’s not forget who else that rope’s been aimed at: women.

From pulpits to policies, the Bible Belt has always had a thing for silencing women unless they’re baking casseroles, birthing babies, or backing their husbands’ egos.

Try to lead? You’re “usurping authority.”
Want autonomy over your body? “God has a plan for your womb.”
Say #MeToo in church? Suddenly, forgiveness is more important than accountability.

It isn’t scripture they’re protecting. It’s patriarchy wrapped in toxic theology.

Justice, Hung Out to Dry

And don’t get me started on justice.

Preach about racial equity? You’re “bringing politics into the pulpit.”
Mention police violence? Suddenly, you don’t respect authority.
Call out white supremacy? Now you’re the real problem.

The same folks who quote the prophets when it’s convenient ignore them when they cry out for the oppressed. They claim to follow the Prince of Peace while voting for policies that crucify the poor and glorify the gun.

What kind of gospel is that?

Time to Cut the Rope

Here’s the truth they don’t want to hear:
You don’t need that belt. You need liberation.

Cut the rope.
Tear down the scaffolding.
Call the noose what it is and burn the damn thing if you have to.

Because Love doesn’t strangle.
Love breathes.
Love liberates.
Love loosens every noose it finds.

It’s time we start preaching a faith that unties the knots and tears down the gallows built by toxic theology. A faith that stands with the queer kid kicked out of youth group. The woman told she’s “too emotional to lead.” The activist who got called divisive for preaching justice louder than the choir sang “Amazing Grace.”

Final Benediction (You Won’t Hear This in Most Churches)

If your faith requires someone else to choke for you to breathe easier,
that's not faith.
That’s idolatry with a hymnal.
And Love doesn’t bless it.

So if you're still wearing the Bible Belt like it's armor, look again.
Make sure you aren't the one pulling the rope.

Because this time?
We’re cutting it.