Why?

Okay, maybe you will think I am crazy after this post, but let's be honest... you probably already do. Let me preface what I am about to say with this- I love the church and the people in church. However, I can see why people think Christians are wackos. There are tons of little idiosyncrasies in American Christian subculture that are pleasantly entertaining if you have a sense of humor. If you don't have a sense of humor and a love for the church, then they are mostly just annoying. Let's be honest, churchgoers are an odd bunch - there is plenty to make fun of. Without a doubt, I'm guilty of a number of these oddities.

Here is one that keeps getting me recently. Pastors, preachers, youth group leaders that REFUSE to use the word "wife" for their wife. Instead, they must ALWAYS refer to her as their bride. Seriously people... why?

One of the first time I heard this phrase used, I was in youth group (maybe at summer camp), and the speaker explained that he never referred to his wife as "wife," but always as his bride. I don't remember his exact reasoning, but it had something to do with the fact that "wife" had a negative connotation. Of course at the time, I thought that was romantic and sweet. Now I just think it's funny and a little weird. But I still hear it from pulpits and sermon podcasts ALL the time.

All you have to do is imagine this word substitution taking place in normal conversations to see how silly it is. "Hey, have you met my groom, Matt?" "I just went to New York with my bride and my brother and sister-in law." "My groom is a real estate agent." Now do you see my point? People would laugh at you behind your back if you talked like that.

Surely you have now seen the light and agree with me. You can chuckle to yourself next time you hear it in a sermon. Apologies to the romantics out there.