Administrators Gail Posted March 7, 2006 Administrators Posted March 7, 2006 A recent "Word of the Day" featured "atheism": Atheism (Noun) Pronunciation: ['ey-thee-izm] Definition 1: The belief that no gods exist. Usage 1: The agentive noun is "atheist" and the adjective is "atheistic." Suggested usage: Atheism is a non-prophet organization that attracts few admirers in the US because it has no holidays. We mention it today only because of its interesting etymology and the jokes it attracts. Etymology: English, 1571 French athéisme, from athée, atheist, from Greek atheos, godless, a- "without" + theos "god" from the PIE root, *dhes-y-. This same root resulted in feriae (earlier fesiae) "holidays" in Latin, found today in German Ferien "vacation" and Fest "festival." This root underlies "feast" and "festival," as well as "profane" and "fanatic." Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
cricket Posted March 8, 2006 Posted March 8, 2006 This is just as bad as the joke about the Amish a few weeks back. Why isn't it clear to all that instead of poking fun at others, we should pray for them? Why isn't it clear that this kind of joke is as off-color as those about "dumb" blondes, lawyers, gays, etc? Quote
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted March 8, 2006 Moderators Posted March 8, 2006 I do not see Gail as poking fun an anyone. Gail has been posting, for some time, a series of posts which she title "Word of the Day." In those posts she does exactly what she has done with this word. She shares her knowledge of its background, and roots in other languages. I suppose if one wanted to pick at her, one could find legit. ways to do so: "Word of the Day" is a trademark (I think.) of another person who has a free subscription service, to which I subscribe, that sends out exactly the same sort of stuff that Gail has been sending out, Except, that person also writed books on this subject, and in her daily sendings, gives several times as much information as does Gail. I occasionally have shared information that I have learned in posts that I have made here in CA, from that subscription service. My classic one was when I shared the meaning of "Irish bull." But, I have not done that often as I did not want to appear uppity, did not have the time, and interest in doing so. But, I really do not consider Gail to be uppity in the sharing she has done. Actually, I have considered her posts to be interesting, just as I have considered the free subscription service to be of interest. By the way, I think I will later post information as to how you-all can subscribe to that servcie. You might enjoy it. In any case, I do not see anything out of place, or poking fun at others, in what Gail has posted. Quote Gregory
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted March 8, 2006 Moderators Posted March 8, 2006 If you would like to sign up for the free subscription service that I referenced, you may do so at: www.wordsmith.org The author of this service is Anu Garg. I find it interesting, and informative as to word meanings. As an interesting sidelight, if you are interested in "anagrams," that website has a computer assisted link to generate anagrams for any word you enter. Have fun with it. Maybe Gail will start posting an Anagram of the Day message. Quote Gregory
cricket Posted March 8, 2006 Posted March 8, 2006 Mr. Matthews, I am well aware of the source of Gail's post. It is not with the person who posted this that I am outraged--it is the material itself. Do you not understand the sarcastic humor in this line: "Suggested usage: Atheism is a non-prophet organization that attracts few admirers in the US because it has no holidays."? Perhaps you'd missed it. Read it again. It is not appropriate humor for any Christian. We should be praying for people that need our prayers, not cracking jokes about them. Chrys Quote
Administrators Gail Posted March 8, 2006 Author Administrators Posted March 8, 2006 Yes- this is a legitimate site: Word of the Day They do have an oddball sense of humour which they carry over to all their explanations of usage. You take it or leave it, but I'm not sure that even they are doing it to be purposely attacking someone. I don't take it that way, myself, but that's not to say that somebody else might. I get one of these everyday, to improve my English language knowledge. I enjoy learning about origins of words and their connections to other languages that I have an interest in, such as Latin and the romance languages. What I found interesting about this one in particular, and the reason why I posted it, was because of the entymology. I did not know beforehand that the word, "atheism" had its roots in the same place as the word for "festivals" and "feasts" As a Christian, I find THAT interesting! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Clio Posted March 8, 2006 Posted March 8, 2006 Quote: Cricket said: This is just as bad as the joke about the Amish a few weeks back. Why isn't it clear to all that instead of poking fun at others, we should pray for them? Why isn't it clear that this kind of joke is as off-color as those about "dumb" blondes, lawyers, gays, etc? What joke? Quote A heart where He alone has first place.
Clio Posted March 8, 2006 Posted March 8, 2006 Quote: Cricket said: ...Do you not understand the sarcastic humor in this line: "Suggested usage: Atheism is a non-prophet organization that attracts few admirers in the US because it has no holidays."? Perhaps you'd missed it. Read it again.... I did. Several times. "a non-prophet organization"... this is certainly true. A true atheist is definitely "non-prophet" in that being a prophet implies a belief in a god of some sort. "that attracts few admirers in the US"... this is also certainly true, atheists are definitely a minority in this country. "because it has no holidays" and sadly, this is also, to some degree, true, but reflects a shallowness of knowledge regarding both atheism and Christianity on the part of the author... so it certainly cannot be Gail. I really don't understand your response... although I'm trying. Because if you're correct in your assessment, then there is something in me that needs changing. But I just can't see it. Quote A heart where He alone has first place.
cricket Posted March 8, 2006 Posted March 8, 2006 Quote: "because it has no holidays" and sadly, this is also, to some degree, true, but reflects a shallowness of knowledge regarding both atheism and Christianity on the part of the author... so it certainly cannot be Gail. Clio, You do recognize it. In your very own words you state that the remark "reflects a shallowness of knowledge regarding both atheism and Christianity". Atheists would not take kindly to the notion that they choose atheism because "there are no holidays". Likewise, it would be as shallow to say that Christians choose christianity because there are more holidays. For the reader, and for Gail, let me reiterate. I do not find fault with the poster of this thread. I am simply attempting to point out that we need to use caution in our words--and in what we choose to share with others. In my opinion, it is wrong to poke fun at any group of people. Through dry and sarcastic humor, this line of "suggested use of the term 'atheism' is attempting to do just that. Chrys Quote
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