Rest In Peace or Rest In Power? (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

First thing, there isn't any deeper meaning for this thread beyond my interest to see how others think.

I see quite a few folks in social media and elsewhere say "Rest In Power" when someone dies instead of the more traditional "Rest In Peace".

Do you prefer one over the other? 

 

[NCCommish]

Rest in power is usually used when one was a fighter for or leader of a movement that seeks justice for some societal wrong. So it's about context regarding the person and their life which one might be the most appropriate.

 

[wikkidpissah]

What's next? Rest in Pills sold by Frank Thomas?

ETA: or a coverall of Rest in Pretense?

 

[BobbyLayne]

I found this definition helpful in understanding the reasoning of why Rest In Power is sometimes favored:

In mainly Black and LGBTQ communities in the United States, rest in power is an expression used to mourn, remember or celebrate a deceased person, especially someone who is thought to have struggled against systemic prejudice such as racism, homophobia or transphobia, or suffered because of it. It has been used to eulogize victims of hate crimes while protesting the social inequality and institutionalized discrimination that may have led to their deaths. "Rest in power" is also used to pay tribute to a public figure who made a difference in the lives of minority communities and was significant and respected within them.

As an alternative to the traditional Christian phrase "rest in peace", "rest in power" suggests that even in death the deceased person has the power to make a difference to others. The phrase is a statement of solidarity and a call to continue the struggle for social justice, as the deceased person will not be able to 'rest in peace' until society itself is in peace. However, it also implies the hope that the deceased person can now rest, free from oppression.

wikipedia

 

[belljr]

Never heard of rest in power

 

[djmich]

Rest in Power 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Never heard of rest in power

First time I heard it was opening this thread 2 min ago.  Seems pretty messed up — but hey, people can do what they want as long as it doesn’t harm others.

 

[Tom Servo]

First time I heard it was opening this thread 2 min ago.  Seems pretty messed up — but hey, people can do what they want as long as it doesn’t harm others.

I get why it’s done, and I’m fine with it. It can also be used as a coping mechanism - as @BobbyLayne pointed out with the definition. 

 

[ChiefD]

I will add this to the list of things I never thought I would have to think about. 

 

[Jayrod]

What does "Rest in Power" even mean, though?  Are they Jedi or something?

 

[brun]

No preference. Hadn't heard of rest in power.

When I'm dead I won't care.

 

[Ned]

I found this definition helpful in understanding the reasoning of why Rest In Power is sometimes favored:

In mainly Black and LGBTQ communities in the United States, rest in power is an expression used to mourn, remember or celebrate a deceased person, especially someone who is thought to have struggled against systemic prejudice such as racism, homophobia or transphobia, or suffered because of it. It has been used to eulogize victims of hate crimes while protesting the social inequality and institutionalized discrimination that may have led to their deaths. "Rest in power" is also used to pay tribute to a public figure who made a difference in the lives of minority communities and was significant and respected within them.

As an alternative to the traditional Christian phrase "rest in peace", "rest in power" suggests that even in death the deceased person has the power to make a difference to others. The phrase is a statement of solidarity and a call to continue the struggle for social justice, as the deceased person will not be able to 'rest in peace' until society itself is in peace. However, it also implies the hope that the deceased person can now rest, free from oppression.

wikipedia

Interesting that rest in peace is considered a christian phrase.  I just thought it was common sense to wish someone to be at peace after they're gone.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Other: Rust In Peace.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Peace out

 

[Doug B]

Never heard of rest in power

I assume it's only EVER on social media. Though it may start to bleed out into meatspace before long.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Interesting that rest in peace is considered a christian phrase.  I just thought it was common sense to wish someone to be at peace after they're gone.

In Islam, they cannot say 'rest in peace' to the non-Muslims due to their disbelief in Allaah. I'm not even going to pretend to understand if there is nuance to that but my Muslim friends have told me about it. It's even been codified by a fatwa regarding the practice.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I assume it's only EVER on social media. Though it may start to bleed out into meatspace before long.

I first started noticing it about five years ago on IG. Don't think I've ever heard anyone say it, but it's super common for any BIPOC or  LGBTQ2S+ who have passed.

 

[Sinn Fein]

What does "Rest in Power" even mean, though?  Are they Jedi or something?

I found this definition helpful in understanding the reasoning of why Rest In Power is sometimes favored:

wikipedia

 

[Wildcat]

Never heard of "Rest in Power" until this thread.

 

[jobarules]

I believe rest in power is usually used by African Americans. I like it.

 

[Don Quixote]

I think a poll option should be “depends on the context.” I usually hear it when it is someone who was highly active in civil rights/causes. I like “rest in power” when the death is of someone like Rep. John Lewis, for example.

But “rest in peace” works better for someone like, let’s say, Dustin Diamond.

 

[JaxBill]

But “rest in Principal Beldings doghouse” works better for someone like, let’s say, Dustin Diamond.

FYP

 

[Don Quixote]

Can you do the strike through so you can make clear edited what I said?

 

[JaxBill]

I got to say that the only Rest in Peace substitution I had heard prior to this thread was Rest in Paradise.

The definitions provided make sense in certain limited context. 

 

[Jayrod]

No, I get what they "think" it means.  It's at the very least oxymoronic and I personally find it nonsensical.

 

[tonydead]

Never heard the oxymoron version before.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

What does "Rest in Power" even mean, though?  

Sounds like my coffin might come with a 220 outlet. 

 

[Captain Cranks]

First thing, there isn't any deeper meaning for this thread beyond my interest to see how others think.

We're in an age of extreme division, amplified by social media whose natural focus is on our differences rather than our commonalities, and you want to broadcast an example of that to "see how others think." I'm not sure what you're hoping to achieve here.

 

[Wildcat]

Sounds like my coffin might come with a 220 outlet. 

220, 221. Whatever it takes.  

 

[Sinn Fein]

No, I get what they "think" it means.  It's at the very least oxymoronic and I personally find it nonsensical.

Really?  Seems like an odd take.

 

[AAABatteries]

First time hearing it.

 

[NCCommish]

Really surprised by all the never heard it before answers. It was especially prevalent when people were talking about Chadwick Boseman aka T'Challa/Black Panther.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Really surprised by all the never heard it before answers. It was especially prevalent when people were talking about Chadwick Boseman aka T'Challa/Black Panther.

Or two days ago.

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.

 

[djmich]

It seems very antithetical to how we typically think about death and our last moments...usually this is when you realize that things like money, power, hate and all your social media diatribes were kind of pointless.

I hope you all rest in wealth when you pass.

 

[General Malaise]

Who gives a ####.  You're dead.  Nothing matters.  Eat Arby's.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Don’t care.  Neither does the dead person. The word choice only matters to the one saying it. So I guess if it helps with the grieving, have at it.  If rest in pizza makes you feel better, Go for it. 

 

[Doug B]

Really surprised by all the never heard it before answers. It was especially prevalent when people were talking about Chadwick Boseman aka T'Challa/Black Panther.

If you don't do social media and you don't do various types of non-mainstream press ... where else would you learn of it?

Had I heard it in connection with Boseman, I'd have assumed it was a specific thing to him personally, to his character, or both.

 

[Doug B]

Or two days ago.

Heard about Archbishop Tutu ... but again, no social media, only old-line media sources.

 

[Jayrod]

Really?  Seems like an odd take.

It feels like someone just threw a random word that starts with P in place of "peace" to be edgy/cool without actually thinking through any kind of meaning behind it....like non-sense.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Who gives a ####.  You're dead.  Nothing matters.  Eat Arby's.

You had me up until the Arby's part.

 

[BobbyLayne]

It feels like someone just threw a random word that starts with P in place of "peace" to be edgy/cool without actually thinking through any kind of meaning behind it....like non-sense.

that is…the exact opposite of my understanding of the etymology. 

it’s like the Superman bizarro world in this thread.

_______________

OK, now I feel like an OK Boomer. Goes back a decade or two before I was aware of it’s usage. Around the time I noticed it (2016), it was already so common it was being appropriated.

TIL:

How “Rest in Power” Went From Radical Eulogy to Kitschy Twitter Meme

 

[Desert_Power]

Don’t care.  Neither does the dead person. The word choice only matters to the one saying it. So I guess if it helps with the grieving, have at it.  If rest in pizza makes you feel better, Go for it. 

It does actually  

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I prefer Rest in Pieces.

 

[brun]

Now I'm thinking about how I'll be dressed when the time comes. Might fix it so people can say "rest in plaid".

 

[Sinn Fein]

It feels like someone just threw a random word that starts with P in place of "peace" to be edgy/cool without actually thinking through any kind of meaning behind it....like non-sense.

It has a pretty specific meaning - that resonates with many people.  Nothing nonsensical about it.

 

[AAABatteries]

Really surprised by all the never heard it before answers. It was especially prevalent when people were talking about Chadwick Boseman aka T'Challa/Black Panther.

For me - I’m not on social media, don’t pay attention to celebrities and other peoples deaths.  It’s sad to hear about person X passing but I almost never bother to read stories or obituaries unless it’s someone I really liked or respected.  Phrase makes sense to me and have no issues with it at all.  

 

[Major]

It's all respectful to the deceased so no real preference.  Also a fan of Rest In Paradise.

 

[rockaction]

Who gives a ####.  You're dead.  Nothing matters.  Eat Arby's.

POTT.  Shut it down. 

 

[rockaction]

And as usual, the social justice advocates in here love it, while the conservatives hate it. 

It's all grist for the mill. 

It's another divisively stupid phrase coined by social media that suckers either love or hate. I'll do without either, thanks. 

 

[Judge Smails]

c'mon.  Are people just bored? Doesn't everyone, on their deathbed, want to be in peace? Let go of pain, regrets, etc? Who is longing for power as they are dying?