Sacred Objects

It is small and worn. The cover was once a brilliant red, but it is now faded and dull. I keep it in an air tight bag to try to preserve it. The other object is also small but it is furry, grey and white, and hug-able. Both of these objects are sacred to me but only one could be considered sacred to someone else. The other object would just be considered a child’s toy to most but to me it means a lot. What makes something sacred: is it inherent religious value or the personal story that it tells?

The first object is a bible that my great grandmother received when she was confirmed. Her and my great grandfather were never very outwardly religious people. She gave me the bible a few years ago because she knows I love antique books. She did not give it to me for any sort of religious purpose. Does this make the book any less sacred? Just because I keep it for sentimental purposes rather than                                       religious adoration, does the object lose its religious value?

The second object is a little stuffed animal raccoon. My great grandpa was out shopping one day at least ten years ago, and he knew I was home sick. He thought it might brighten my day if he got it for me and brought it over to the house. This is the only gift he ever bought for me without the assistance of my great grandma. It is extremely special to me because of how close we are. I keep it on my bed to this very day. For me it is sacred because of the personal value that I have bestowed upon it. 

Both of these objects are very meaningful to me. In my mind they are sacred. Just because these object are not necessarily religious does not mean that they cannot hold meaning and value that to the owner equates them to something that is religiously sacred. Is it the religious connection to an object that makes it sacred or the personal value? I believe that any object can be sacred in a deeply personal way. I also believe that there are organizationally defined sacred objects, such as bibles, crosses, and holy water. Both types of these objects have value and meaning and can co-exist in the world without canceling the other one out. Some will probably say that I am devaluing the bible by equating its meaning to that of a stuffed animal. But for me it is the story behind the object that makes it meaningful.