I am most for my use of the word, “Republichristian.” If you frequent my blog, you have either laughed at or been offended by this word in the past… or at least you’ve noticed it. Necessity was the mother of its invention because there was a time when I would go off on long rants about politics and faith and the state of American Christianity and I needed a single word I could define a large group of people with.
I used to be a Republichristian and at times, I still catch myself thinking like one. To be a Republichristian is a dangerous thing for person of Christian faith as it is easy to miss the real teachings and words of Jesus when one is so greatly influenced by politics. As of late, I have been asked to define it, so here it goes.
Repulichristian (re-pub-li-christ-ian) [ri-puhb-li-krist-shun]
-noun
1. a person who unknowingly confuses or replaces their political ideology with their Christian faith
2. one who thinks God and Jesus are Republicans and are pulling strings for the party and America behind the scenes
3. (s) a group of people who have hijacked the face of Christianity in America and use it for political gain
4. (s) people who think spiritual maturity and depth are defined by political conviction
5. (s) a sect of Christianity in America
-adverb
1. in a way that places Conservatism over the teachings of Christ
2. not much thought
[Origin: 2006 AD, Greek-English]
Just to clear up, you are NOT a Republichristian just because you are a Christian who happens to be a Republican, this is a completely different class of people. Usually when I use this word, it is in a macro sense, I am talking about a larger group mindset and not an individual. If you suspect you might be one but are unsure, just ask me and we can work it out.
Regardless, I need to tone down my blog and not make it so serious so I might not be using this word too often, we’ll see.
keith Jones
I’m humored by this.
I’m not sure why, “I needed a single word I could define a large group of people with.” What’s up with that?
I find when you talk to people they are far more individual than that.
Nick
I agree, I hate labels too, and I’m not saying it is right. That sentence is about efficiency, not about generalizations. I wanted to be able to refer to a group of people with one word rather than having to explain that group each time I wrote about them.
Make sense?
keith jones
So what you are saying is that this particular group of people should be categorized. Even though in theory you don’t think people should be.
To answer your question, no, it doesn’t.
Sorry.
Nick
No that is not even close to what I am saying.
What I AM saying is that instead typing each post with “the group of people who call themselves Christians but actually identify with an American political party as their faith” I choose to use the word “Republichristians.’ Its not a categorization, but an abbreviation.
Besides, whats so wrong with categories? We all fit into categories: Christian, Republican, Democrat, white, black, soccer fan, etc…
To be honest, I’m not sure how much clearer I can be.
keith Jones
I understand.
I just have this compulsion to bust yo’ chops.
Wonder what category that would put me in?
My personal label for myself is a Christian who has a conservative political view.
Nick
I would label you as a Christian who has a conservative political view and likes to bust my chops. I need a shorter name for it though, any ideas? Maybe a Christoservativebuster?
keith Jones
Well, that would be one of the nicer things I’ve been called.