informal questionaire-sorta-thingie

[ambitious_wench]

Consider the following sets of words:

Christian/Pagan Jew/Gentile Muslim/Infidel Amish/English Mormon/Gentile

What do all of these sets have in common?

Do you know any people who actively refer to themselves by the second word in any of these sets in a context that includes the first word? For example, do you know any non-Amish in Pennsylvania who when asked their religion respond "I'm English"?

Feel free to discuss your comments.

Comments

[scascot.livejournal.com]

Do you know any people who actively refer to themselves by the second word in any of these sets in a context that includes the first word?

Besides myself?

[djfiggy.livejournal.com]

"Christian/Heretic" is a better contrast, I think.

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

Mmm, a heretic is someone who claims to be of a particular faith, but has tenets of belief that are in direct contrast to the rest of that group. Albigensians come to mind, I think. There are Christians who think that the Mormons are heretics.

Edie

[djfiggy.livejournal.com]

I'm the biggest heretic of them all!
Actually, more like a flat-out contradiction, if you think about it.

[lilithraevyn.livejournal.com]

I have never heard them used together.

Only "Agnostic Jew". Which is, apparently what a "large portion" of the Jewish population is.

Other than that... I dunno.

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

The sets are all comprised of what the named believers call non-believers.

Edie

[redhead-sue.livejournal.com]

Actually, as a Jew, I've always thought of "Gentile" as what we call non-Jews. Not non-believers. Since "Jewish" is as much a culture as it is a religion, I don't think it only implies beliefs. (I'm Jewish, but I don't believe in the tenets of the religion or in god. I don't think that makes me not Jewish.)

But I see your point. I don't see a lot of non-Jews identifying themselves as Gentiles.

[viip.livejournal.com]

[ambitious-wench.livejournal.com]

Sure. I'm on vacation right now, but I should be more active after today. I try to keep my stuff mostly public access, but some stuff is intended for a close circle of friends.

Edie

[viip.livejournal.com]

[guns-in-summer.livejournal.com]

Don't some people refer to themselves as pagans? I seem to remember someone doing that once... anyways just a random pop in. Have a good day.