The R Word
Posted in Once I Was a Kansas Girl on June 10, 2008Today I’m going to talk about the R word. I know it’s a touchy subject to many, but I’ve never really shyed away from it here. In fact, I’m not sure why it’s such a bad word.
I’m talking about religion. Why is “religion” considered a dirty word? According to the Oxford dictionary, religion is “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.” What’s wrong with that?
I’ve been thinking about this for quite a while, but reading The Shack last week (which also speaks against the R word) has brought this thinking to a head. Since I have not yet had an opportunity to talk to someone who belittles the R word to find out why, here is some thoughts about it.
Religious institutions are uncool in this day and age (an issue I would like to address further another day). They are believed to be the inforcers of religion and past culture. By considering the R word to stand for institutions rather than the belief system behind the institution, religion is also considered negatively.
In our culture today, it is perfectly acceptable to have religious beliefs (though most probably would be more comfortable with the term “spiritual beliefs”). They are considered to be individualistic and not particularly related to any institution. I am free to pick and choose at the buffet table of beliefs, choosing whatever ones seem the most filling and palatable to me.
The R word has baggage. I’m talking about things like 9/11, the Crusades, and the Salem Witch Trials, among many other things. I understand that’s a problem, but lots of things have baggage but we don’t scrap them (our country, for one thing).
So what do you think about the R word? If you don’t like it, why? Thanks for helping me think through this!
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June 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I’m not sure who came up with the actual word religion, but for me religion is more than just some beliefs. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a belief in God and centering my entire life around that so I guess I like the word and love the concept.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I believe that a lot of people, unfortunately, associate “religion” with being a “square”…or not having any fun. Others tend to see religion as a source of our problems when regarding wars and social conflicts as many people have begun wars over religion and, on a smaller scale, some even refuse to be friends with others who are not of the same religion. That is why it seems many are scared to discuss it or are even open to it….misinformed and miscommunicated to.
June 11th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Oh I actually read an article about this in the paper a few days ago….Baptist churches are slowing taking the word Baptist out of their name becuse of the negative connotations. I’ll send you the link.
Quite honestly, I have not been in church for over a year. Here in the DC area it is all about the Almight Dollar instead of truly worshipping the Almighty. Every church we attended, it was all about raising more money to build, build, build and buy, buy, buy. I do not need to sit in a church and watch a watered down message being blasted off of big screen tv’s.
I mean, seriously. I cannot tithe to a church so that they can buy huge multi-media systems while there are 16 children in the local homeless shelter here in Warrenton that need food. I do think feeding the hungry will have more of an eternal impact.
I’m gonna do a post about this soon.