Blog 1 (2-13-12)

Why are titles, (religious titles) significant?   

By definition, a “title” is a “prefix or suffix added to someone's name to signify either veneration, an official position or a professional or academic qualification; some titles are hereditary.” (Wikipedia.com) But why are titles, religious titles in this case, so significant? I have discovered that throughout history religious titles have constantly been important, even in some cases when they shouldn’t be. Centuries ago during the Roman Empire, and when monotheism and polytheism were awakening, religious titles were identified as a sense of belonging in society. People made sacrifices and went through physical pain just to have the title of being a “Jew.” Citizens felt that once they “officially” were part of a religion they were useful to others, they could turn to people with the same set of beliefs as them for answers, and they recognized the beneficial parts of a true community. Religion, like most communities that exist, are a place you can run to and be yourself when things around you are hard, which is why so many people strive and work towards a religious title. Additionally, when you are born a Christian lets say, and someone asks you what religion you practice and you say “Christianity,” what does that mean for the person speaking, and for others? Is it just a title you are born with, is it simply a hereditary title, or does is it hold further significance contributing to your identity? I feel that because religion has become such an integral part of everyday life, a title is vital and meaningful. In the time of Constantine, he was a ruler who didn’t have the Christian title until his deathbed. As a figure of authority however, he implemented the Christian beliefs and values in his followers, and by listening to him and talking to him you could assume he was a Christian even if he did not have the exact title. In this case, a religious title was not placed on him until he died, yet he still lived a normal life and got his points across.

For another example, in the Holocaust religious titles were indicative and forceful. When the German Nazi’s were attacking, they were dominantly targeting Jews because they have the title of a “Jew.” But did they know anything else about the people, except for what it means to be a Jew? Did they even fully comprehend what it meant to be part of the Jewish religion, considering they were never Jews? Just because someone is born a Jew, why should anyone discriminate them or attack them? I think that the Holocaust is both an extremely sad and confusing time in history. Just like the Nazi’s don’t know what is like to be a Jew, we don’t fully know what it is like to be a Nazi, or what is going through their heads. But despite any of that, each “Jew” has their own identity and own story, and I think partially the Nazi’s murdered millions of Jews just because of their religious titles. To me, having a Jewish title, and when someone asks me what it means to be a Jew, I could talk for days. In short, being Jewish to me triggers the ideas and memories of family, friends, education, values, traditions, and a chunk of my identity.

However, in historical terms, a religious title has been significant, and it always will be.