What I Mean To Say

Libby Purves has published a list of "30 Most influential religion blogs". The list includes blogs on Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and, of course, Christianity. Oddly enough, among the top 30 most influential religion blogs are two atheist blogs.

Now, wait. The Random House Unabridged Dictionary (© Random House, Inc. 2006) defines religion as "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." American Heritage Dictionary says it is "belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe" (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.) So ... how is it possible to make "belief in no god" the equivalent of "belief in a supernatural power"?

We are so loose with our terminology these days. While Christians (who definitely fall in the category of "belief in a supernatural power") deny vehemently that Christianity is a religion, those who vehemently deny the existence of any supernatural power are classified as "religion". And somehow we're supposed to understand all this. More to the point, so many do. They nod and agree and move on. Not me. I don't get it.

If words have no meaning, then we have no dialog. If "no god" means "god", then we have no room for discussion. If religion doesn't mean religion and no religion does, we have nothing on which to base any conversation. If words have no meaning, we can't use words to express what we mean.

Now, if the ambiguities of the term "religion" were all that were in view, I'd be happy. But it's not. "Freedom" now means "do anything you want without consequences." "Deserve" no longer means simply, "to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward" (© 2007 Merriam-Webster, Inc.), but more at "I live therefore I deserve." Even if you sit around the house and do nothing all day, "You deserve a break today," McDonald's assures us. "Responsible" used to mean "honest, capable, reliable, trustworthy," but now means more at "someone else's problem." "Privilege" has turned to "right", "grace" to "fairness", and "mercy" is something that can be demanded.

Is there any wonder our society is so confused? We are using words that we all know, but they don't mean what we all think they mean. We are people separated by a common language. And I mean every word.