By David Breeden

[Editor's note: This is the second article published recently that makes a case against the use of traditional religious language in Unitarian Universalism. As the poll of our members and friends indicates (at least with the current sample) about a third of you have no problem with such language though, unsurprisingly, few UU Humanists prefer it. I would like to publish an article that makes the case that using traditional religious language is not an issue. Please consider submitting one.]

Since I am the Senior Minister at a historically humanist congregation, the birthplace of religious humanism, I often hear from ministers and ministerial interns of a more theistic bent how they intend to sneak theological concepts from the Christian tradition into their remarks or liturgy in my congregation. Things like “sacred.” Things such as one god or another, usually one arising out of process theology. Things like “soul,” a plausible afterlife, “faith,” just a tiny hint of intercessory prayer. “Holy,” (which seems to always require a “the” in front of it for reasons I can’t fathom). “Worship.” A redefinition of US culture’s favorite word, “spiritual.”

I try to be polite about this. Really I do. I suppose I’m told of this intention with a wink because, since I’m a Unitarian Universalist minister, my compadres think I must actually be aching to use such ideas and words myself.

I’m not.

One of the most difficult; one of the hardest-fought of all the battles in the Western tradition has been driving superstition out of religious institutions. That’s what a “religious humanist” congregation is: a place where superstition has been driven out. It’s not easy. And, as the caretaker of such a congregation, It is my duty to keep superstition out, whatever that may take.

That doesn’t mean that we aren’t polite to those of other faiths. Actually, we are leaders in multi-faith work exactly because we view all religions from a detached perspective. Detached. As in, we don’t buy it, but we respect those who do.

Allow me to say that, actually, humanists have heard all the words that those of a theistic bent might wish to conjure in our assemblies.

Yes, we know what “sacred” means. It comes from the Latin, sacrare, which means “to make holy.” Refer to “the Holy,” below. Notice the tautology.

Here’s what I think: Nothing is sacred if everything isn’t sacred. Seriously. Think about it.

As to the various gods—yes, I get it that “god” can be redefined until the concept makes some sense. When we claim that “god” is completely co-extensive with the universe and its processes, for example. Yes, that assemblage can be called “god.” Sure. But why I might want to term something that is completely co-extensive with the universe and its processes “god” instead of “universe,” I’m not quite sure. I have to suspect it’s a bit of superstition creeping in. Something subjective, such as believing that massaging a lucky penny will clear a parking spot just when I want one.

“Soul.” It’s good music. But in religious terms it is an old-fashioned term that inadequately describes human consciousness. Terms from Phrenology aren’t all that useful either.

Reincarnation. Nope. Not if the thought is that consciousness somehow travels from one body to the next. But as to the “incarnat-” part of the word, meaning “flesh,” sure. No problem. Our afterlife is as endlessly recycled carbon. Everything else is wishful thinking, also known as superstition.

But we all have “faith” in SOMETHING, don’t we? Sure. It’s an English word. It’s usable. But, with Inigo Montoya I have to say, “I don’t think that word means what you think it means.” For further research, consider exploring the theological twists and turns of the word pistis.  

Yes, “prayer” as a word can be plausibly used in other contexts. But if you’re asking the sky—or your own subjective reality—to act as your own personal ATM, well, I also suspect you still believe it’s all about you.

“The Holy.” Refer back to “sacred.” Read “Footnote to Howl” by Allen Ginsberg. He gets “holy” right at the end of that poem. (parental warning: explicit lyrics)

OK, I’ll concede the etymology of “worship,” which is indeed “giving worth to.” That’s denotation, as many of us learned in fifth grade. The connotation, for many humanists, is bowing, scraping, and groveling. It’s something to be done in the presence of tyrants and mobsters, not in the presence of “the holy.” (Refer to above.)

Oh, and “spiritual.” It’s a feeling. It can be generated by various means and technologies. It comes from an appreciation of art and beauty (which is sometimes even the same thing). The existence of a feeling we call “spiritual” proves that there are gods exactly as well as having an appetite implies deep-fried unicorn.

I admit it: I’m being a bit snarky. But, dear theist, when you come among humanists, be nice. Slipping one in on us just isn’t polite. These words, these concepts—they are culturally specific, for the most part. Christian, in other words. They have baggage. They have body counts. They’re boring to many of us. Learn to communicate your positive message with some new language. Believe me—I mean have faith: It’s fun.