When did "Religion" become a bad word?

Question

I'm baffled at how the word "religion" is almost always used in a derogatory way lately. When did that happen? It reminds me of how, a long time ago, the word "gay" used to mean "happy". (It still does in a dictionary.) But now if you tell someone, "gee, you sure are gay today", they might think you're calling them a homosexual.

Words have been getting twisted up a lot in modern culture. No wonder people don't communicate very well.

The Merriam-Webster defines "religion" as:
- : the service and worship of God or the supernatural: commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
- : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

Sounds okay to me. Any worshippers of ANY religion have a problem with that definition? I believe that people who say "religion" in a negative way are the "do-your-own-thing" type of people. They "personalize" God, and forget that we are a human family, and like all families, we have our traditions:

They forget that families have special days, special little things they do AS a family, and so does the family of God.

I love my Catholic faith, I love my Catholic religion, and I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Twist the word up all you want: The only loser in that situation is you.

LINK:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp

Answer 1

After about the thousandth "Religious" war.

Answer 2

Good question! I see the disgust of the word come up all the time here, usually from Christians. "Oh I study the Bible and go to church every week and believe in Jesus, but PLEASE...don't call what I have a 'religion'!" Sorry folks, but if you "have a relationship with Jesus Christ", just drop the semantics: you ARE a religious person!

I think some people are afraid that by identifying their religion as a "religion", that they'll somehow cheapen what they have, since it can be categorized to some extent. Again, I see no shame in using an accurate label.

And of course now we have the fad of saying "I'm spiritual, but not religious". Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with the DIY approach, in and of itself. But I do suspect that most of these people are afraid of committing to some idea or just don't have the creativity to understand ceremony.

Then you have the people who say "I don't like ORGANIZED religion." What exactly defines "organized" religion? Is it any religion that has a name?

Answer 3

I go to school and most my friends say 'Yeah I'm Atheist'
People give Religion a negative tone because there's a lot of Christians who arn't open to new ideas like Evolution and science

I am a former Protestant who is studying Judaism
In my the belief I have now (which I do not keep in stone)
is: Jesus very likely was a Prophet of God and his son but not the messiah (I'm not done researching this yet) I also believe he wants people to believe in his new Testament to the Jewish Bible and nothing else, like they should still follow Jewish Laws and the like but accept the new Testament
(Does he ever say otherwize in the bible? I don't think he does but I could be wrong)

I agree that Religion is something you should practice with other people, that you should go to a church, temple whatever because if you arn't social with other people your gonna be norrow minded and not open to new ideas, but sometimes that happens like at the 'cult' as I call it Mount Zion they tell there followers that Jews are evil which isn't enough for them to be a cult but if you went there like I did when I was younger you'd know that place is messed up... they also speak in tounges (I don't know your opinions/beliefs but I would like to)

I hope what I said made any sence...

Overview: People view religion as something PUSHED on them by parents without any proof

p.s. I also believe the bible in some parts is in metaphores (like Genesis) so that people can decifer it for themselves which teaches you about yourself and about seeing the answer in a bunch of things that don't make sence

Answer 4

Things are becoming backwards. Isn't that predicted in The Bible? Religion is now bad. Gay used to be good. Respect used to be earned, now it's demanded. Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me...we used to live by those words. Now everyone feels persecuted because someone doesn't agree with them and they whine "why are there so many haters?" I'm sick of it all.

God Bless.

Answer 5

***** is a bad observe because of the fact evaluating an indepensent woman to a dogs is merely undeniable incorrect. Bastard became a bad observe while there replaced right into a vendetta against single mothers and their infants have been seen by some skill inferior. That attitude supplies me the creeps, in my opinion.

Answer 6

when religion ceased to be a relationship with God, but an ostentatious affair. Do you need to parade your faith to prove you believe in God? Do you need to take off your shirt and beat up anyone to prove your a tough guy?

I don't mind a happy family, a close family and stuff, but when people start fighting in the streets, you sorta lose respect for such things.

Religion these days is down there with Paris Hilton and lindsay lohan as far as reputation is concerned. And that's cos peopleare fighting over it, dying over it, but not ready to live it.

Answer 7

The word has become synonymous with institutionalized, hierarchical, monotheism. In other words, "religion" is what the unwashed masses (aka sheep) do, whereas exploring one's spirituality is what is practiced by people who have not abandoned their individuality for the sake of security and not having to actually think.

Answer 8

Hallelujah, brother. It still shocks and amazes me that we Christians are so persecuted in this country in which we form the overwhelming majority of citizens. We can throw our weight around to get candidates elected, and we can have our elected officials (even our president) proclaim that we are a Christian nation with impunity, but we are still so oppressed. It is a crying shame.

Answer 9

i have no idea.....but this site is no longer a good site to me.....not only do i get made fun of for just being catholic, i get Reported for defending my religon, .....Whats up with that?????.....and all these "Non- believers" are calling priest f@gs and asking " can priests really be trusted with young boys" and all this stuff that is so offending it makes me want to cry......So i m leaving yahoo....and i INGURAGE my fellow CHRISTIANS or anyone who believes in God to do the same... before we say something that one day we will regret.

PLEASE find another site, thank you!

Answer 10

When the average level of consciousness of mankind began to rise above the level of consciousness that created "religion".

Answer 11

I don't know when, but it was surely before the time of the Bible since people were fighting over Religion well before then.

I don't consider it a "bad" word, per se, just one worthy of ridicule and mocking.