Words that get in the way
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11:57AM Yesterday we looked at four words that can be troubling for religious and non-religious folks alike: sin, shame, sacrifice, and salvation.
They are loaded.
One person before church looked at the service and wondered if they should stay. I think we DO look at stuff we would rather ignore.
It was also a day we were distracted by the ill health of a person in the congregation. So, the speakers were also distracted. Fortunately, the person is fine. I was impressed with the care offered as we continued...never done that before. Didn't really know what or how to proceed, but the ill person was taken care of.
So, perhaps the 'word' for the day wasn't any of the ones we explored, perhaps it was 'compassion.'
The scripture of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) was LIVED out in our midst, and we were all a little more thankful for where we live and how medical attention is so freely and willingly offered.
But back to the words...Is there a religious word that gets under your skin?
- John
You can listen to the reflections from January 29, on our sermon page here.
Reader Comments (3)
One of the words you touched on yesterday, and that gets under my skin is "saved". I always feel defensive when asked whether I'm saved -the question seems so aggressive! John, you mentioned that you think about what you are saved "to", rather than saved "from". Can you elaborate a bit? Thanks.
Enjoyed the service yesterday, and am also feeling grateful for the skilled medical attention we have access to here.
First off commiserations and congratulation to John and Joanne. I am sorry that a crisis unfolded in service, I am glad that there were competent people to help and impressed with the efforts made to manage the situation. I know emergency personnel want others to "just carry on" and let them do their work. You did that, difficult though it must have been.
I guess rather than specific "words" getting under my skin, it is how people misuse or abuse words. When everthing is a tragedy, nothing is. Hyperbole or deliberate understatement mess with reality. Words need to be treated with respect.
I am frustrated by the misuse of the words "Christian," or "devout" in the media and by some people or groups. Linking those words with hateful words or hateful actions must be challenged.
Just because it is easy to talk doesn't mean it is easy to communicate, whether to oneself or others. True naming is so powerful.
So, I guess I vote for people using words carefully -- and that we challenge their misuse, by ourselves and by others.
When I say saved "to" i mean that i am open to newness, i am saved to something ... it isnt about being 'saved from hell' for example, which is often how the word is used.
religion is often thought to be about the after life, in reality, that seems secondary to Jesus...it is about 'god among us now, and about changing THIS world. so that is the back ground to being saved 'to' something...
Lea,you are right, words are loaded, how we use em matters, which means we have 'stick up for ourselves' and re interpret... otherwise 'they' misuse such powerful words...more about that...this week! j