R.I.P.

[Omonros]

I believe we've all heard the phrase 'Rest in Peace' before, no? Recently, I've seen some-as the youths say-'hot takes' on the phrase.
Rest in Peace-or RIP as it's more commonly used-is in fact a Christian term and seemingly coined by Catholics in the fourth century (300-399 AD) and then onward. Now it's used everywhere from church liturgy to facebook posts about deceased goldfish-but I've noticed an interesting opinion-due to its origins, many people who are not a Christian are now asking for alternative phrases to be used for the dead of their faith. I originally saw this on a thread on Tumblr in which people were saying 'Rest in Peace' to the victims of a tragic event in which a Jewish synagogue was attacked in Texas (i think?) and several worshippers had died. Members of the Jewish community were asking for those expressing condolences to kindly refrain from using 'Rest in Peace' and instead an alternative.

So, what do you think? Should we take this to heart or is it just people 'being sensitive?' Do you use Rest in Peace? If not, what are alternatives you use? For those who are not Christian, what do you use? Yould you be comfortable with people using the phrase after you die?

Personally, I would appreciate respecting my faith and using an alternative but I wouldn't take it as a serious offense if someone used it against my name, but I might silently brood with anger in my grave.

A few sources on the origins, meanings, and uses of RIP as well as some opinions on the phrase:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rest_in_peace#History
^{its a good source in a pinch shut up}
https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/rest-in-peace/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/20/rip-hashtag-lynda-bellingham

[US-SSR]

Here we have what we call a "teachable moment" in which the lesson is that no, not everyone belongs to the (currently) majority religious tradition and different traditions use different expressions. It's the same deal with "happy holidays;" corporations that want to sell more stuff in the N. Hemisphere winter aren't anti-Christian, they just don't want to turn away shoppers who worship differently...or not at all.

Personally I plan to have an open bar set up on my coffin with a sign reading "Have a Drink on Me"...

[Antityranicals]

RIP doesn't actually stand for "Rest In Peace," but for the latin "Requiescat In Pace." Of course, they mean the same thing, but RIP predates English.

[Ifreann]

I think that it's entirely normal for people to offer their sympathies for recently deceased people with other phrases that just "Rest in peace". No debate or controversy.

[Sundiata]

Being a Christian myself, I don't want to compel other faithful to say things that I do. At the end of the day, respect for the dead is right and just.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

[Xmara]

Honestly I had no idea that it was originally a Christian term. I just thought it was a phrase every English-speaker used when someone died.

[Cekoviu]

Honestly I had no idea that it was originally a Christian term. I just thought it was a phrase every English-speaker used when someone died.

Yeah, I'd wager that most people don't realize it's religiously oriented either.

[New Paine]

I’m an agnostic-atheist and use the term “rest in peace” without any issue whatsoever.

[Diarcesia]

R.I.P. in Peace, Stephen Hawking

[Kaystein]

What alternative did they have in mind? "Rest easy?" That sounds.. like something you'd say to calm someone down. "Rest their soul?" It sounds like something you'd say to wish somebody good health/fortune. "Die?" ...Yes, I can't imagine that going wrong. Guaranteed not to cause people to stare like they've seen somebody grow a second head.

So what alternative phrase do people have in mind? Google is useless. I require information!

[Albrenia]

Rest In Peace sounds fine to me, although I'd have no trouble changing it in a particular circumstances where somebody took offence for whatever reason. Less so for some random passerby and more so for someone who knew the deceased.

I can't really see why someone would not like the idea that the dead is resting in peace. It doesn't even imply the existence of the afterlife, since someone who is just gone could be said to be 'at peace'.

[The Two Jerseys]

The professionally offended strike again...

[Monsone]

It may be a Catholic term, but it is so pervasive, I would find it hard to replace. and honestly what would replace it? Rest your soul (no, its Catholic too)? Peace be upon you (too vauge)? That is the central dilema.

[-Astoria]

Sounds fine.

[Thermodolia]

Am jewish. I have absolutely zero problem with Rest in Peace

[Rojava Free State]

Who the fuck is offended by the phrase rest in piece? Is it really gonna hurt Muslims or Jews if I say "rest in piece" at one of their funerals?

[Rojava Free State]

Here we have what we call a "teachable moment" in which the lesson is that no, not everyone belongs to the (currently) majority religious tradition and different traditions use different expressions. It's the same deal with "happy holidays;" corporations that want to sell more stuff in the N. Hemisphere winter aren't anti-Christian, they just don't want to turn away shoppers who worship differently...or not at all.

Personally I plan to have an open bar set up on my coffin with a sign reading "Have a Drink on Me"...

Why would other shoppers be turned away by the phrase merry christmas?

[United States of Americanas]

I’m Jewish and never knew RIP had religious affiliation. No offense here and honestly the alternatives all seem pretty rubbish.

This whole thing is more political correctness games being played by nutjob fringe groups. Move along. Nothing to see here.

[The Two Jerseys]

Who the fuck is offended by the phrase rest in piece? Is it really gonna hurt Muslims or Jews if I say "rest in piece" at one of their funerals?

It's funny because the Wikipedia article says that Jews use "rest in peace" during their services as well...

[Luziyca]

Honestly I had no idea that it was originally a Christian term. I just thought it was a phrase every English-speaker used when someone died.

I felt it was originally a Christian term, but now, it's basically a phrase most English speakers say when someone dies.

Though I reckon it'll probably give way to an F, but I doubt it'll be because RIP is seen as offensive.

[Bluelight-R006]

It simply has Christian origins, and no one recognises ‘RIP’ as a term for Christians anymore. After all, the saying ‘Rest In Peace’ is just for the person to express their condolences and sympathies and is not as if the person intends to proselytise the receiver into becoming Christian. Why be offended?

[The Archregimancy]

The sentiment 'rest in peace' predates Christianity.

While Christianity popularised the phrase in its Latin form, its earliest known occurrence is in 1st-century BC inscriptions in the Jewish Beit She'arim Necropolis, now a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Israel.

Variations on 'peace' and 'rest in peace' recur at Beit She'arim. Take the following (translated) Hebrew inscription, for example:

This is the resting place of Yudan, son of Levi, forever in peace. May his resting place be in peace.

Allowing for differences translating between Hebrew, Latin, and English, and noting the geographical and cultural context of Christianity's foundation, it looks likely that 'rest in peace' was absorbed into early Christianity rather than originating with early Christianity.

[The Grims]

Rest in eternal war and glory, for Asgard ?

[Page]

As an atheist I certainly have no objection to "Rest in Peace", and indeed don't even have a philosophical issue with it because the unconscious oblivion that is death is, in fact, peaceful.

[Gigaverse]

Name me a single word within the phrase "Rest In Peace" and its Latin origin which could be perceived to be Christian in connotations.

And without making any gigantic leap of logic in the process.

Yeah until then I'll stick to it.