Reply #70: If you knew enough theology, you would realize that you've helped my case.

[TPaine7]

Righteousness and justification are often interchanged. As in "righteousness by faith" and "justification by faith." Read Paul.

Righteousness is more poetic and less technical, and there are shades of difference. But the words can be, and often are, used interchangeably.

Here, let me use one of your examples to help you:

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15 v7,
Source: New King James Version

(It's a shorter form, but the same root. I really hope even you aren't going to quibble over that.)

If I cared enough, I could almost certainly find several Christian groups named "Justified" or something similar. As a matter of fact, I believe I vaguely remember that name from somewhere. You must admit, the term is too theological /legal / technical sounding for most secular bands. Righteous is better sounding. And I admit that's an actual, minuscule point.

So is that what you're accusing them of--malevolent poetry?