Possible liturgical language for Spiritual Humanism

[jmuelver]

Catholics shift into Latin when they want to be mysteriously pious, apparently because god doesn't do well with other languages. Maybe we could adopt a liturgical language, to bump up our holiness cred. I would prefer the Ido language, but that's pretty heavy-duty for lightweight language hobby activity. How about toki pona, which has only 120 words? That shouldn't be too have to master. See http://tokipwnage.webs.com/ for a taste of it. "toki pona li pona tawa mi" (toki pona is good/pleasing to me).

[KenDennis]

I am not sure I can say kon (squishy substance, half-solid substance
air, soul, spirit, smell; gaseous, air-like) tomo (person, somebody, anybody; to personalize) nasin sewi (religion, holy way) to represent Spiritual Humanism Church.

Or, “kon tomo nasin sewi”

You pose an interesting solution, but does it address the problem? Perhaps Speaking in Tongues would be a more realistic approach.

[Reverend Dave Miller]

Catholics shift into Latin ....

Ahem.

You're overlooking the obvious:

PIG Latin!

[Zephyr]

Yes for some reason, people find something they don't understand to be more "spiritual" in feeling. I don't understand it. I have clients who want to say their vows in Hawaiian or have me say something in Hawaiian, even though they don't understand the language or it's poetic or hidden meanings and can't pronounce the words. It sounds exotic to them, so they want it, perhaps to feel otherworldly or mysterious.

Contrast that to some of my couples from Europe, who speak fine English, but they long to say their vows in their primary language. Now that makes sense. I also have a couple from France who would like to translate the whole ceremony into French for me to read... uh... it's been a long time since I had my intermediate French class in 9th grade, but with some practice and coaching I might be able to pull it off... Just as well as the Hawaiian anyway. I told them they will probably laugh at my pronunciation, but that I would try.

In my opinion, spiritual values are best presented in a language familiar to the listener. Though I think it would be fun to do a ceremony in Pig Latin... That might be as humorous as the Dr. Suess like vows one of my couples did. I don't know any Ido yet.

Sign language or body language is another possibility - or acting out the service in an expressive modern dance or as we do here -- hula. It's a way to really feel through your body the words you are saying. I find dancing hula to be a somewhat spiritual experience. As the story is really coming through the dancer, it's a feeling of really being alive and in tune with what the song is about.

[jmuelver]

Ken, it would be:
nasin sewi pi sona jan
religion of human knowledge/wisdom

It would also be solving a problem which doesn't exist, a category of endeavor at which I excel.

[kenwood]

I know a member or two who would most likely suggest Klingon...

[jmuelver]

I know a member or two who would most likely suggest Klingon...

Or maybe Na'vi (from "Avatar").....

[MHanson]

no one for Sanskrit?

It is the oldest real language in the Indo-Iranian branch (though I heard they found a Hittite language that is older but I've found no resources in learning it.) and there are actually a few speakers in several villages in India.

: namaste :