Recent Threads

[Richard Dougherty]

I agree with Michael and Steven that "proselytizing" is an accurate
word to employ.  I think what Will Linden was pointing out is that
it is often used as a pejorative, except perhaps when used in a
non-religious way ("he was proselytizing for the adoption of textbook A
over B").  We had a discussion some time ago about using the term
"anti-abortion," which is also accurate but also used quite often as a
pejorative term (does anyone in the pro-life camp call their position
"anti-abortion"?).  My three year old recently described a
stranger as "fat," which was largely accurate but not conducive to
productive conversation.  The term doesn't have to be dropped, but
used with the right spirit ("fat wallet," "Fat Tire" beer, "Fat Albert"
are probably safe?).Richard J. Dougherty
University of Dallas
-----Original Message-----
From: "Newsom Michael" <mnewsom at law.howard.edu>
Sent 9/7/2007 3:48:59 PM
To: "Law & Religion issues for Law Academics" <religionlaw at lists.ucla.edu>
Subject: RE: Recent ThreadsI have an article coming out soon that has
the word “proselytizing” in its title.  Like Steve, I thought that
I was being accurate. From:
religionlaw-bounces at lists.ucla.edu [mailto:religionlaw-bounces at lists.ucla.edu] On Behalf Of Steven JamarSent: Thursday, September 06, 2007
12:16 PMTo:Law
& Religion issues for Law AcademicsSubject: Re: Recent Threads Curious.  I've had
many a christian tell me it is their obligation to proselytize -- using that
very word.
I don't see anything pejorative in it at all.  It is quite accurate. 
On 9/6/07, Will
Linden <wlinden at panix.com>
wrote:On Thu, 6 Sep 2007, Douglas Laycock wrote:
> Some Christians proselytize; some don't.  Same with atheists.
"Proseleytize" is one of those funny words, like "cult" and
"superstition", which can only be applied to Somebody Else BY
DEFINITION. 
We share, you preach, They proseleytize.  Consequently, I have
dropped it
from my vocabulary.
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