2014年ESL之日常生活 02 Converting to Another Religion

 

Converting to Another Religion

Debbie: Okay, I’m off. I’ll be back around eight o’clock. 

Marcelo: Hey, where are you going in such a hurry? 

Debbie: I’m going to my religious education class. 

Marcelo: Religious education class? What’s that about? 

Debbie: Well, I’ve decided¹ to convert to McQuillanism. 

Marcelo: I’m not familiar with that denomination². It is Christian³, isn’t it? 

Debbie: No, it isn’t, but there are some similarities in the spiritual teachings between McQuillanism and Christianity, but we have different ways of worshiping – different prayers, hymns⁴, and rituals. 

Marcelo: It doesn’t sound legit. Are you sure McQuillanism isn’t really a cult⁵? 

Debbie: Of course not. My spiritual leader has been tutoring me on the tenets of the faith so I understand it, but I can see why you’d question it, since you don’t know anything about it. 

Marcelo: Well, as long as you’re satisfied. 

Debbie: I am and I can’t wait to become a full- fledged McQuillanite. McQuillanism is a little unconventional, but we take our faith very seriously. 

Marcelo: Have it your way. What’s that you’re carrying? 

Debbie: It’s a cat costume. As I said, we do things a little differently. 

Marcelo: I’m sorry I asked. 

 

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse 

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 denomination   

n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位

参考例句：

• The firm is still operating under another denomination.这家公司改用了名称仍在继续营业。
• Litre is a metric denomination.升是公制单位。

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 hymns   

n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• At first, they played the hymns and marches familiar to them. 起初他们只吹奏自己熟悉的赞美诗和进行曲。 来自英汉非文学 - 百科语料821
• I like singing hymns. 我喜欢唱圣歌。 来自辞典例句

5 cult   

n.异教，邪教；时尚，狂热的崇拜

参考例句：

• Her books aren't bestsellers,but they have a certain cult following.她的书算不上畅销书，但有一定的崇拜者。
• The cult of sun worship is probably the most primitive one.太阳崇拜仪式或许是最为原始的一种。