Faculty Sponsor(s)
Hillary Crane
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Anthropology
Description
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that prevents people from digesting gluten. The diagnosis of Celiac impacts more than physical health, it irrevocably alters a person’s conception of self. Ordinary activities like airport travel, staying in hotels, and worship become complicated. For example, receiving Communion in the Roman Catholic faith is one of the ways people maintain their close relationship to God. Because the wafers used are made of gluten, those with Celiac are prevented from partaking in this sacred ritual. This leads to increased feelings of isolation and alienation from both the religious community and God. Another way it alters a person’s self-conception is by changing the very language they use. For instance, they might use new lingo such as the word “glutard.” A contraction of the words “gluten” and “retarded,” many use the term to inject humor into an often grim situation. It is an ironic term of self-reference used on social media when one has been exposed or is pointing out the dark humor that is often a part of life with Celiac disease. Those with Celiac disease often find these kinds of everyday experiences more problematic than those without, who often take these things for granted.
Recommended Citation
Stoeger, Elizabeth L. and Gustafson, Solveig L., "Effects of Celiac Disease on Religion and Language" (2016). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 59.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2016/all/59
Effects of Celiac Disease on Religion and Language
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that prevents people from digesting gluten. The diagnosis of Celiac impacts more than physical health, it irrevocably alters a person’s conception of self. Ordinary activities like airport travel, staying in hotels, and worship become complicated. For example, receiving Communion in the Roman Catholic faith is one of the ways people maintain their close relationship to God. Because the wafers used are made of gluten, those with Celiac are prevented from partaking in this sacred ritual. This leads to increased feelings of isolation and alienation from both the religious community and God. Another way it alters a person’s self-conception is by changing the very language they use. For instance, they might use new lingo such as the word “glutard.” A contraction of the words “gluten” and “retarded,” many use the term to inject humor into an often grim situation. It is an ironic term of self-reference used on social media when one has been exposed or is pointing out the dark humor that is often a part of life with Celiac disease. Those with Celiac disease often find these kinds of everyday experiences more problematic than those without, who often take these things for granted.
