Monday, January 18, 2010

What do we call...

What do we call the tendency in the church to speak lots of words but ultimately say nothing?

In the realm of politics we call it "political correctness." There are other currents flowing under political correctness to be sure - but it does often lead to saying lots of words but in the end saying nothing and often being incomprehensible.

In the corporate world I have heard it referred to as "corporate speak" which is a mixture of political correctness and business. It is also rather incomprehensible.

But what do we call it in the church? The tendency to use lots of nice sounding words but to be so careful to say nothing that might be remotely offensive. The tendency to make statements that have words that are "fuzzy" and unclear and attempt to be profound?

I think I have coined a term. Ready?

Ecumenispeak. What do you think?

Let me tell you what I think clearly and perhaps even offensively.

I think it is brilliant. I think it is on the same level as Colbert's "truthiness." I think I should be interviewed on Issues, etc., because of the brilliance of coining this word.

Don't you?

Ecumenispeak. I think it sums it up. It sickens me.