What's in a Name?

I was recently asked about the name of our group, The Church of Unreasonable Happiness. The person posing the question had traumatic experiences growing up in a traditional church and questioned our choice of the name, given that we do not have a physical worship space typically associated with a 'church.' His immediate distaste due to his history made me pause and consider his perspective. What is truly encapsulated in our chosen name?

Let’s analyze it.

When the name was first conceived, I loved it immediately. It felt right, conveyed the appropriate message, described something desirable, had humour, and was catchy. And who doesn’t aspire to be unreasonably happy?

But is it really a church?

As I have stated previously, it is a church, but not in the traditional sense. Many of us were raised with the notion that a church is a large building used for religious practices. It is a place for communion with others and offers a sense of belonging and identity. But what if there is no physical building? Can we consider the human body to be a church?

Our answer is yes. A person's body can be considered a church if we believe that God is within us all. This concept aligns with various spiritual and religious perspectives that emphasize the sanctity of the human body and its role as a vessel for the divine.

In Christianity, the Bible often refers to the body as a temple. For example, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" This passage suggests that the body is a sacred space where the divine resides and should be treated with respect and care.

We feel this concept can be extended to viewing the body as a church, a place where one can commune with the divine within. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and honouring oneself as a holy presence. In this way, treating the body as a church encourages individuals to cultivate a deep, personal connection with the divine and recognize the sacredness within themselves and all others.

And what about ‘Unreasonable Happiness’?

This phrase describes a person whose level of happiness seems disproportionately high compared to their circumstances. Yes, someone can be referred to as "unreasonably" happy. Typical aspects include infectious optimism, resilience, and a deep sense of gratitude and contentment.

So let’s consider the name in its extended form: The Body is a Temple (Church) that holds a disproportionately high amount of joy for the situation it finds itself in.

We are the Church, we are happy. 

Doesn’t that sound like a good place to be?

- Gregory