{"id":421,"date":"2009-10-07T07:22:33","date_gmt":"2009-10-07T07:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/tonyjones\/2009\/10\/ending-christian-euphemisms-a.html"},"modified":"2009-10-07T07:22:33","modified_gmt":"2009-10-07T07:22:33","slug":"ending-christian-euphemisms-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/tonyjones\/2009\/10\/ending-christian-euphemisms-a.html","title":{"rendered":"Ending Christian Euphemisms: A Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to Wikipedia<\/a>,<\/p>\n

\n

A euphemism<\/b> is a substitution of an agreeable or less
\noffensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest
\nsomething unpleasant to the listener, or in the case of Doublespeak<\/a>,
\nto make it less troublesome for the speaker. The deployment of
\neuphemisms is a central aspect within the public application of political correctness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It also may be a substitution of a description of something or
\nsomeone rather than the name, to avoid revealing secret, holy, or
\nsacred names to the uninitiated, or to obscure the identity of the
\nsubject of a conversation from potential eavesdroppers. Some euphemisms
\nare intended to amuse.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I think that Christians, in our desire not to offend (either God or one another), are more heavily reliant upon euphemisms than many other people in our society.  And yet euphemisms don’t serve us well.  They push us toward at least convoluted communication, and at worst passive-aggressive communication.  They also tend toward “insider speak,” which works against our call to be missional.<\/p>\n

So, please, help me stamp out Christian euphemisms by posting your (least) favorites in the comments below, and I’ll start posting them.<\/p>\n

Only YOU can stop Christian euphemism!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

According to Wikipedia, A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener, or in the case of Doublespeak, to make it less troublesome for the speaker. 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