Challenging Definitions and Interpretations

10.26.06.1611

Since the uttering of words like “darksided” and “ungodly” recently through sources I am responsible for placing upon this site, I began thinking about the word “ungodly” itself more.

Merriam-Webster claims the “popular” meaning of “ungodly” as denying or disobeying God; impious, irreligious; contrary to moral law; sinful, wicked. (etc.)
Now, I’d like to challenge this definition and its interpretation. It is, for starters, nothing like the Merriam-Webster definition for “godly” which simply means divine, pious, or devout. There is no direct reference to the Judeo-Christian religions in the meaning of the word “godly”, unlike “ungodly.”

Should we continue to think in this way, that “ungodly” means going against Christianity or Judaism?

Challenging this definition and interpretation, would it not sound more accurate as well as more in sync with “godly” if the word “ungodly” had no direct connotations to Judeo-Christian religions but rather all religions?

Would it not better befit the interpretation if the definition read simply going against a moral code? Or, in a more literal sense, to be more in sync with athiesm. However, the reference with athiesm has been used before when religious folk claim that “athiests are ungodly!”

Sage,

The term ‘ungodly’ is used by almost every religion referencing all those who refuse to accept their particular definition of ‘God’. It would probably be useful to say ‘not-godly’ if one is contrasting deism with atheism.

10.26.06.1617

I’m not sure about that Tent… the Merriam-Webster definition seemed pretty precise with the Judeo-Christian reference. It could perhaps even apply to Muslims as well, but that would be the limit of interpretation. I don’t think you could say that a Wiccan for example would call a person of another belief who doesn’t believe what they believe “ungodly.” I understand what you mean by putting the word into context, but really, the use of this term can only apply in reference to monotheisms, but even that catagory would be limited. Would you think Buddhists would call a Christian “ungodly” if they denied the “truth” of Buddhism?