http://www.clarionreview.org/2009/10/test-articles-and-essays/ A JOURNAL FOR LIFE IN THE BODY Tue, 25 May 2010 20:59:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.clarionreview.org/2009/10/test-articles-and-essays/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Agnieszka Wincewicz Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:27:51 +0000 http://www.clarionreview.org/blog/?p=3#comment-23 Very insightful analysis of an important (and certainly underestimated) problem. It seems that we should be particularly alert to the increasing misuse and abuse of the Christian vocabulary in the popular language of political marketing. Powerful words like “hope”, “peace” or even “faith” are often instrumentalized by prominent political figures who, by thus addressing people’s emotions and nostalgia rather than actual political problems (let alone the solutions), succeed in inspiring affection in the masses of voters. Ironically enough, through this they win for themselves the attribute of 'charismatic', even if a few flowery and meaningless clichés are all they have to offer. Needless to say, this irresponsible manipulation of language further leads to a shallowing of the public debate, which in the long run desensitizes society's attention to, and understanding of, issues that matter. It proves one of the theses of the article that the quality of thinking depends on the quality of language. The former will continue to deteriorate, unless responsible Christians seriously take care of the latter. Very insightful analysis of an important (and certainly underestimated) problem. It seems that we should be particularly alert to the increasing misuse and abuse of the Christian vocabulary in the popular language of political marketing. Powerful words like “hope”, “peace” or even “faith” are often instrumentalized by prominent political figures who, by thus addressing people’s emotions and nostalgia rather than actual political problems (let alone the solutions), succeed in inspiring affection in the masses of voters. Ironically enough, through this they win for themselves the attribute of ‘charismatic’, even if a few flowery and meaningless clichés are all they have to offer. Needless to say, this irresponsible manipulation of language further leads to a shallowing of the public debate, which in the long run desensitizes society’s attention to, and understanding of, issues that matter. It proves one of the theses of the article that the quality of thinking depends on the quality of language. The former will continue to deteriorate, unless responsible Christians seriously take care of the latter.

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