Continued from Part One yesterday…
Original Expression | Secularized Version |
Golden Rule | Altruism |
Rule | Govern |
Harlot / etc. | S*x worker |
Heathen | Gentile |
Heaven (or Purgatory) | Afterlife |
Heavenly | Beautiful |
Heresy | Scientific theory / Free Thought |
Holiness (Kedusha) | Specialness / Significance |
Holy Day | Holiday |
Holy matrimony | Civil union |
Homosexual | Gay |
Husband or wife | Significant other / Life partner |
Idolatry (Avodah Zarah) | Materialism / Consumerism |
Immoral | Personal choice |
Judgement Day | Death |
Kashrut | Ethical consumption / Conscious eating |
Kiddush Hashem | Good example / Positive representation |
Kosher | Approved / Proper |
Lazy | Lacks motivation |
Living in sin | Cohabitation / Domestic partnership |
Lust | Love |
Mankind | Humankind |
Meek | Weak |
Messianic times | Utopian future / Social ideal |
Miraculous | Amazing coincidence |
Mitzva | Good deed |
Morality | Social oppression / Discrimination |
Mother \ Father | Parent, etc. |
Olam Haba (World to Come) | Better future / Legacy |
Paradise | Utopia / Ideal place |
Perversion | Diversity |
Pilgrimage | Journey / Trip |
Possessed | Crazy / Under the influence |
Pray | Plead |
Prayer / Blessing | Moment of silence / Meditation |
Principled | Extremist |
Prison | Correctional center |
Prophecy (Nevuah) | Insight / Foresight |
Proselytize | Persuade / Advocate |
Providence | Lucky break / Fortune |
Purity | Cleanliness / Hygiene |
Rabbi | Teacher / Mentor |
Rebuke | Hate speech |
Reckoning | Accountability |
Redemption (Geulah) | Social progress |
Religion | Spirituality / Superstition |
Repentance | Making amends |
Repentance (Teshuvah) | Self-improvement / Growth |
Revelation (at Sinai) | Cultural tradition / Wisdom |
Righteous | Law-abiding |
Righteousness (Tzedek) | Social justice |
Sabbath observance | Work-life balance / Digital detox |
Sacred | Respected |
Sacred duty (Chiyuv) | Moral responsibility |
Sacrifice | Giving up / Compromise |
Saintly | Well-behaved |
Sanctify | Set apart |
Shepherd | Leader / Guide |
Sin | Crime / Lifestyle choice |
Sodomite (generally) | Gay, LGBT |
Sodomite (in antiquity) | Male shrine prostitute |
Sodomy | Etc. |
Solemn | Dignified |
Son / Daughter | Offspring |
Soul | Spirit |
Soul (Neshama) | Consciousness / Personality |
Soul searching | Self-reflection |
Testament | Record / Account |
Thank God! | Thank goodness |
Thank Heaven | Thank goodness |
The State | The Government |
Tzaddik | Role model / Good person |
Tzedaka | Charity / Donation |
Tznius | Body-shaming / Internalized oppression |
Wicked | Antisocial / Naughty |
Witchcraft | Wicca / (Neo-)Pagan |
With child | Pregnant |
Worldly | Mundane / Secular |
Yeshiva | Academy / School |
Here is Part One of this article…
You may also want to read an engaging article on the Euphemism Treadmill.