15 March 2011

[GET RELIGION] 'Worship'? Just say 'NO'

From GetReligion.org

I apologize, gentle readers, for having to go over this issue again so soon. Still, I have to admit that when a reader sent the following URL to your GetReligionistas, I thought for a second that it was a prank.

Before I serve up a chunk of this way-below-average Associated Press report — a version posted at FoxNews.com — let’s review a crucial term in the religion-beat dictionary.

ven-er-ate
… transitive verb

1: to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference
2: to honor (as an icon or a relic) with a ritual act of devotion

Read the rest at Terry's splendid page.

...I remember as a Baptist someone would sappily bemoan, "We have not prayed together for a while/long time." Why did they need me to pray? Were they praying to me? Good gracious, NO! Maybe they had developed an appreciation for praying TO GOD in the presence of another dear saint...maybe.

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