Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
million. Most owners here firmly believe that they have a right to protect their property
and those they love; that having a gun, and knowing how to use it, is not just a crime de-
terrent, but a crime stopper. Not to mention that hunting is as much a Texas tradition as
the pickup truck. Boys get their first pellet guns at eight or 10, and they're accompanying
their fathers on dove and deer hunts soon after. Girls are more than welcome to come
along if they want to. Gun owning is a way of life in Texas, and despite increasing gun-
control legislation in other states, that's not something likely to change any time soon.
Though not enforced, according to the Texas Bill of Rights, one must acknowledge a supreme being be-
fore being able to hold public office.
Religion
Texas is considered to be the 'buckle' in the Bible Belt - a swath of states across the
Southern USA associated with conservative protestantism and evangelical Christianity.
Roughly 57% of the population claims some religious affiliation. Surprisingly, Catholi-
cism is actually the largest denomination, due to the significant Hispanic population.
The evidence is in the good number of churches you'll see as you drive along. Lubbock
is rumored to have the highest number per capita in the US, but that's hard to pin down.
Abilene has three Christian universities in a town of 118,117 people. In Houston, charis-
matic church leader Joel Osteen bought out the former Rockets basketball stadium when
his Lakewood Church needed to expand (that's 16,300 seats filled twice on Sunday).
In east Texas, this also means many of the counties are 'dry' - you can order drinks in
restaurants, but you can't buy liquor at stores there. And nowhere in the state can you by
beer before noon on a Sunday. Go out to a restaurant lunch midday and you'll find all the
tables full with families come straight from church in their Sunday best.
