Last week I had the privilege of spending 5 days in Montreal. On Friday afternoon, a guided tour took us literally into the shadow of the Olympic Stadium, affectionately known as "the big O", and to the poorest French-Canadian neighbourhood in Canada. Standing in a backlane with one of the townhouse occupants, he described the spiritual dynamics in these surroundings. He had moved into this neighbourhood a couple years ago with the interest of creating a better community. The comment which has left me pondering the Canadian religious landscape and my role in it is when my newfound friend said, "We do not say the words 'God' or 'Jesus' in public because we care about our neighbours too much." Given Quebec's religious history in the 20th century and people's living memory of it, their disdain and disappointment in some of what has happened has brought the culture to a point where terms that used to signify some of the most sacred practices have become words that are now used to curse each other. So words like 'God' and 'Jesus' are used as insults rather than blessings. I left Montreal with a question. How am I living out my spiritual life in the neighbourhood? Does it lead to cursing?
1. As the Profane: I don't think this is isolated to Montreal or Canada for that matter. Cursing as insult is often a catalyst for imagery. So the silly, thumping, sign-wearing, ultra "I have no idea why" conservative, political activist is a great "image" for insults. I don't condone, but I do understand it. Essentially, your "life" doesn't lead to it, 'cause your not any of the above. But it's a great question for reflection for those "darn" Christians that don't challenge ourselves.
2. As a CURSE: Yes :)--but's that's a whole 'nother diatribe.
Cheers.