You Say Pot-A-to, I Say Pot-AH-to

The One Way Speaks To The Heart, Despite The Language Or Words Used

A play on words?

A non-issue?

Semantics?

Exemplary evidence of Sovereignty also represented in something perhaps overlooked?

Let's take a playful, and serious, look at two popular phrases in religious circles.

“Peace Be Upon You”

“Peace Be With You”

Is there a difference?

We see a single word difference, correct?

Do these two phrases message the same intention?

Some would affirm they do, others would disagree.

Taking a closer look, we can see a bit of a difference.

Some could say the difference is quite wide, others no wider than a human hair... but still a noticeable difference nonetheless.

Consider something that is 'upon' you.

Consider also something is that is 'with' you.


Upon

preposition (a word governing, usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause)

up and on; upward so as to get or be on

in an elevated position on

in or into complete or approximate contact with

immediately or very soon after

(see the rest and of the definition)


With

preposition (a word governing, usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause)

accompanied by; accompanying

in some particular relation to (especially implying interaction, company, association, conjunction, or connection

characterized by or having

(of means or instrument) by the use of; using

(see the rest and of the definition)

And now let us simply replace the phrases with synonyms (word or phrase that means exactly or very close to the same meaning as the original word)



“Peace Be Upon You” (upon synonyms)

“Peace Be Beginning With You” / “Peace Be Consequent To You” / “Peace Be Simultaneous To You”

“Peace Be Aloft You” / “Peace Be Atop You” / “Peace Be On Top Of You” / “Peace Be Beyond You”

“Peace Be Over You” / “Peace Be Touching You” / “Peace Be Near You” / “Peace Be With* You”



“Peace Be With You” (with synonyms)

“Peace Be Along You” / “Peace Be Alongside You” / “Peace Be Amidst You” / “Peace Be Among You”

“Peace Be Beside You” / “Peace Be By You” / “Peace Be For You” / “Peace Be Including You”

“Peace Be Near You” / “Peace Be Plus You” / “Peace Be Upon* You”


Some would argue a difference, if any, is vast.

Some would say they are saying very much the same thing all things considered.

We can see that as more synonymous words are used, the blending eventually unites meaning.

This is the phenomenon I think is prevalent with the direction all languages are going: influencing one another as one common language is being built, whether it would eventually be English, Spanish or Mandarin or another language is yet to be realized.

Such can be the argument between religions, when religious texts are critically analyzed and their meanings deciphered according to such specifics, despite the overall unifying message between or within such texts.

Aside from arguing what may be insignificant for some, or greatly significant for others, we should remember the following, for in this message we do see a chasm of difference, not a blending but a calling and very sobering warning:
And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. 
- Matthew 12: 31-32

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