Female family members referring to religious as "cute"

[Jy3pr]

I wasn’t sure whether to post this here or on the Spirituality forum. Forgive me if it belongs elsewhere.

My female family members have a charming habit of referring to the consecrated religious in ways I feel are more befitting of a tiny child or puppy. I’ve found myself becoming naturally irritated by their remarks because I see the religious instead with great reverence and respect. I find their choice of words to be inappropriate and condescending. My rationale is that the religious are adults first of all; and second of all their vocation is an extremely necessary and serious one. So I guess I not only find their notions about the religious themselves insulting and to be completely devoid the point, but the religious LIFE as well.

My view is that the religious are warriors for Christ who have sacrificed nearly everything to be shining examples of the reality of Christ’s perpetual existence. Not objects for us to be entertained by. Furthermore I feel their notions are fueled by an inclination to excuse their personal worldliness, by painting the religious as something far from what they themselves are called to be.

I’ve spoken my mind to them as politely as I could muster. The across the board response is, “It’s a woman’s thing” and “It’s that we see them with great love and affection like a mother sees her children.” The responses gave me a more sympathetic understanding but something still doesn’t feel right about it. I can’t help but feel and notice that they are referring to fully grown adults who have given their lives entirely to the Will of God for the salvation of souls like they would a baby St. Bernard.

Brother Ignatius Mary over at saint-mike.org, I feel, correctly classified their behavior as blasphemous (irreverent and insulting towards sacred people).

Am I judging rashly? What are your perspectives on this?

 

[puzzleannie]

I ).

Am I judging rashly? What are your perspectives on this?

you gave your opinion, they responded with their thoughts. the matter is closed. move on

 

[Corpus_Cristi]

First off, I’m inclined to agree with puzzleannie. No matter how right you may be, they don’t seem to care. If they can’t see how they could be demeaning someone or something holy, then you’ve done your part by letting them know in the best way anyone possibly could. What more do you expect to gain by discussing it here?

As for what you said, I’m not sure how to receive or understand it. How old are these religious and how old are these female family members? If both are young, their remarks would seem imprudent. If the females are young and the religious older, I’d chalk it up to a petty schoolgirl crush. If the females are older and the religious are young men, I personally see nothing wrong with the remarks, especially if their grasp of the spiritual reality is lacking. Older (middle-aged included) often speak of younger people whom they admire in endearing ways as if they wished to dote on them like their own children. I wouldn’t take offense to something like that. There’s a difference between confronting an attack on sacred matters and getting miffed about something that simply doesn’t sit well with our personal sensibilities.

 

[erine]

Sometimes I think nuns can be sweet or cute because I have had great experiences with them and sense an aura of Christ-like innocence around them. Maybe it’s like that for the people you mentioned, or it could be patronizing; can’t know their hearts. . I don’t have any less respect for religious just because some have been exceedingly kind and sweet to me and seemed very innocent and light compared to many worldly women.

 

[Nelka]

Sometimes I think nuns can be sweet or cute because I have had great experiences with them and sense an aura of Christ-like innocence around them. Maybe it’s like that for the people you mentioned, or it could be patronizing; can’t know their hearts. . I don’t have any less respect for religious just because some have been exceedingly kind and sweet to me and seemed very innocent and light compared to many worldly women.

It depends what you mean by sweet and cute.

 

[LilyM]

It depends what you mean by sweet and cute.

Not to mention ‘light’. It makes it sound as if religious life is not as serious, difficult or onerous a responsibility as, say, married life. Which is very wrong.

This day and age glorifies material wealth, sex in all its forms, and individual autonomy. It takes a very resolute and courageous person to promise poverty, celibacy and obedience - and lots of very hard work and struggle to even try to keep those promises.

 

[erine]

I mean they have been kind and loving to me and seemed like a bright light in the stressed out secular city in which I live. I can completely understand why calling religious cute in certain contexts can be highly insulting, but I and a lot of my friends are more girly girls who don’t consider it to automatically be an insult. I’ve considered religious life and consider it the most important spiritual battleground in this life, more often than not. That does not mean it is an insult to compliment nuns’ softer kinder aspects…

I wasn’t there for the OP’s experience so can’t tell the connotation behind the family member’s words. I only chipped in my experience to add to the discussion. The people who quoted me assumed a negative connotation, which is your interpretation and not my meaning.

 

[erine]

Not to mention ‘light’. It makes it sound as if religious life is not as serious, difficult or onerous a responsibility as, say, married life. Which is very wrong.

This day and age glorifies material wealth, sex in all its forms, and individual autonomy. It takes a very resolute and courageous person to promise poverty, celibacy and obedience - and lots of very hard work and struggle to even try to keep those promises.

That is maybe what it says to you, but that is not what my post says.