A “Buzzard Baptist” is a member of the Baptist faith who only attends funerals, not regular church services. This term may also describe those who only attend church events with food. It is considered derogatory and suggests a lack of religious conviction and commitment to the church.
A “Buzzard Baptist” is someone who identifies as a member of the Baptist faith, but only attends funerals, not regular church services. Some members of many other religious denominations might also be considered “poines,” but Baptists are particularly famous for coining humorous terms to describe their approach to religion, so the idea is most closely associated with the Baptist community.
A typical Baptist buzzard knows where the church is, and is certainly aware of when services are held, but chooses to attend only funerals to celebrate the passing of community members. You also usually refrain from engaging in church activities such as social events, fundraising events, and so on, and might be considered a less active member of the congregation.
Funerals are a big part of life, so if you choose only one type of religious service to attend, the logic in focusing on funerals is understandable. Funerals also tend to attract more community members, allowing people to connect with one another, discuss community issues, and catch up on missed news and events. For a Buzzard Baptist, being present at a funeral can also be a sign of respect for the deceased and a nod to his or her professed faith.
The term is also sometimes used to describe people who only show up to church events that might include food, a reference to the buzzard’s foraging habits. This type of Baptist buzzard may be reluctant to provide or cook food for church events, but enjoy eating it and may also take these events as an opportunity to meet with other people in the community.
This term could be considered derogatory, suggesting that a Baptist buzzard lacks a deep sense of religious conviction and commitment to the church. Certainly just showing up at funerals would give a rather distorted view of one’s religion, and church officials usually know who the vultures are in their congregations. A Baptist Buzzard may also receive some teasing from community members who notice his church-going habits, especially in areas where religious faith is seen as an extremely important part of personal identity.
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