Hello friends, I am Pastor Calvin
Lindstrom with Christian Liberty Academy School System. Welcome
to There's No Place Like Home. Today's topic is euphemisms. What is a euphemism? The word
in Greek means well-speaking, but in English it means to use
a word or expression for one considered to be too harsh or
blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Sometimes
this involves using words in place of curse words. This is
not what I'm talking about. We should be careful about our
language, but what I am speaking about is far more sinister and
serious. What are some euphemisms in use
today that distort reality and cover evil? The political commentator
Ben Shapiro mentioned how the word abortion is really a euphemism. Instead of speaking about the
unjustified killing of an unborn human, we speak of abortion.
Even worse is when this unjustified killing is labeled as health
care or a woman's right to choose. The word fetus, though it has
a perfectly good origin, is today really a euphemism in that most
people don't understand what the Latin word means and it can
be used to ignore the humanity and personhood of the unborn
child. There are many other euphemisms
that are used today that conceal ideas that are very dangerous
to our children and our culture. Now, none of this, sadly, is
new. During the terrors of Stalin
and Hitler, as the historian Paul Johnson points out, all
sorts of euphemisms were used to mask murder and incredible
tyranny. During the years 1929-1936, 10
million men, women, and children met unnatural deaths through
Stalin's collectivization and elimination of the classes. In
other words, at least 10 million people were murdered through
Stalin's tyranny And that is just one facet of his reign of
terror. Sadly, many well-known people
in the West praise Stalin. Hewlett Johnson, dean of Canterbury
in the United Kingdom, said that Stalin was leading his people
down new and unfamiliar avenues of democracy. And the American
ambassador at the time to the Soviet Union said, speaking of
Stalin, his brown eye is exceedingly wise and gentle. A child would
like to sit on his lap and a dog would sidle up to him. So euphemisms
are not just part of 21st century America. So much of our language
and praise today masks the true reality and horror of sin. Scripture warns about those who
call evil good and good evil. As parents, we have to try to
understand these things as best we can and teach our children.
Certainly, we cannot trust popular culture and most of media to
do these things. May the Lord direct us to understand
and teach these difficult things. For Christian Liberty Academy
School System, I am Pastor Calvin Lindstrom. We invite you to learn
more about our ministry at homeschools.org. Homeschools.org. May God bless.