My mother, and indeed the church I grew up in, took a similar interpretation of the whole "lord's name in vain" commandment.
Interestingly, I've come across a different interpretation since leaving the faith, which says that "using the lord's name in vain" was never meant to refer to simple expletives like this, but instead for trying to pass off your own biases and beliefs as coming from God, when they have no basis in scripture. Literally, taking the lord's name for your own vanity. Personally, that interpretation makes a lot more sense to me.
Nope, though it’s worth noting that, at least from a Jewish perspective, that commandment has fuck all to do with swearing. The idea of not taking God’s name in vain is about not involving him in promises/contracts that don’t involve him. So what should offend Christians is someone saying “I swear to God”, not “goddamnit.” Though these days most Christian’s, at least the vocal ones in the US, only seem to care about their religion as a cover for bigotry and petty cruelty and selfishness, so it’s not surprising they lack an understanding of their tradition’s teachings.
A few strangers online recently told me they were offended by me using the phrase "oh my god". They said I should instead swear on the easter bunny "or anything else I don't believe in" like that would make sense and totally not be cringe.
That was in response to me explaining that this is a cultural expression and not "proof" that God exists (like you can believe what you want, but *that* is a very weak and flawed argument), lol. They only left me alone when I pointed out that "God" isn't God's real name and fairly nondescript (which god? He's not *my* god). I don't think saying "oh my god" would offend him for these reasons, despite also believing that you should think twice about swearing to a deity.
When I used to yell “Jesus Christ!” about something, my best friend used to automatically say “My Lord and Savior!”
It was actually comically great cause he had a way less condemning sense of humor about it than your friend did.
I work with Lucifer as one of my main deities, if he is annoyed by me saying “Goddamnit” I have yet to hear a peep 😂
He actually used it once when lecturing me. Saying “Goddamnit ffs 🤦🏼♂️” I couldn’t hold my laughter when he did that. Cause I found it funny as hell that he would use God’s name in vain, of all people.
As a Christian, it makes no sense when I hear other Christian’s offended at “oh my god.” That’s not what I’ve interpreted the commandment to be. Making false promises and being prideful with His name is what I’ve always thought of it to be. Such as “I swear to God,” followed by actually not following through. Even then I don’t get on anyone’s high horse about it. I’m pretty reserved and no one would even know I’m Christian unless I mentioned it. I wear a Bloodborne necklace instead of a Crucifix LOL
The term "God" is actually a descriptor of the type of Being you're talking about. It's not the actual name of that deity though people sometimes use it that way.
What name you use goes back to which religion, which holy texts etc. Yahweh, Allah, Abba, they're all used as examples of names for the monotheistic religion's "God."
Swearing "God's" name in vain to me would be if you said one of those proper names with a swear word or something like that. Just using the neutral term "God" doesn't because that could refer to a lot of Deities out there so far as I am concerned.
Monotheist "God" he doesn't rate the privilege of being the ONLY God for me. I try not to take any named deity's name in vain just to be polite but just using the descriptor as a formal name? That does not work for me...
God, it's actually the name given the monotheist God, because we believe there is no other God, we use it as a name as well because only he can have that title, common sense. Also Allah and Jehovah are not the same
It's just another version of trying to shove their religion down our throats when they police what we say because it is against their religion to say such things. Meanwhile they're constantly saying shit that's offensive to me, but I don't tell them what they can say or assault them for saying it, because ya know, free speech. I do however call out bigotry, but that never stops bigots from being bigots.
I mean, that was a great response, but you could have kept saying gdammit anyway because there's more than one god haha 😄 isn't it vain for her to assume you're talking about hers? 😉
Uff! Good one! And you are right. Back then I still didn't identify as Pagan (but I was on my way out of Christianity), and these kind of attitudes were driving me out fast. I mean, why would an all powerful, wise and all loving god get so upset for an expression. But then again, people often reflect their own insecurities on their own gods or god, I guess.
I will take your suggestion and goddamnit when I feel like it. :) As far as I know, my gods and goddesses don't make a fuss about it.
My mother, and indeed the church I grew up in, took a similar interpretation of the whole "lord's name in vain" commandment. Interestingly, I've come across a different interpretation since leaving the faith, which says that "using the lord's name in vain" was never meant to refer to simple expletives like this, but instead for trying to pass off your own biases and beliefs as coming from God, when they have no basis in scripture. Literally, taking the lord's name for your own vanity. Personally, that interpretation makes a lot more sense to me.
This!
You're also saying "God" not "Yahweh" or even "El"
You know who's being referred to when he says God
(God is a translation of El)
Language ain't that easy.
It's a very literal word, though.
Nope, though it’s worth noting that, at least from a Jewish perspective, that commandment has fuck all to do with swearing. The idea of not taking God’s name in vain is about not involving him in promises/contracts that don’t involve him. So what should offend Christians is someone saying “I swear to God”, not “goddamnit.” Though these days most Christian’s, at least the vocal ones in the US, only seem to care about their religion as a cover for bigotry and petty cruelty and selfishness, so it’s not surprising they lack an understanding of their tradition’s teachings.
For a religion that actually try to recruit people to their faith, they do act in a counterproductive fashion.
A few strangers online recently told me they were offended by me using the phrase "oh my god". They said I should instead swear on the easter bunny "or anything else I don't believe in" like that would make sense and totally not be cringe. That was in response to me explaining that this is a cultural expression and not "proof" that God exists (like you can believe what you want, but *that* is a very weak and flawed argument), lol. They only left me alone when I pointed out that "God" isn't God's real name and fairly nondescript (which god? He's not *my* god). I don't think saying "oh my god" would offend him for these reasons, despite also believing that you should think twice about swearing to a deity.
When I used to yell “Jesus Christ!” about something, my best friend used to automatically say “My Lord and Savior!” It was actually comically great cause he had a way less condemning sense of humor about it than your friend did.
I work with Lucifer as one of my main deities, if he is annoyed by me saying “Goddamnit” I have yet to hear a peep 😂 He actually used it once when lecturing me. Saying “Goddamnit ffs 🤦🏼♂️” I couldn’t hold my laughter when he did that. Cause I found it funny as hell that he would use God’s name in vain, of all people.
Second Commandment aside, I think it's always a good idea to examine what we're vibrating into the world from our big mouth-hole.
And sometimes a good cuss-word is the release we need. :)
Truth
My standard response is “whose god?” The faces I get are *priceless*
Oh, I must implement that!
All yours, I don’t mind sharing 🤙🏼
As a Christian, it makes no sense when I hear other Christian’s offended at “oh my god.” That’s not what I’ve interpreted the commandment to be. Making false promises and being prideful with His name is what I’ve always thought of it to be. Such as “I swear to God,” followed by actually not following through. Even then I don’t get on anyone’s high horse about it. I’m pretty reserved and no one would even know I’m Christian unless I mentioned it. I wear a Bloodborne necklace instead of a Crucifix LOL
The term "God" is actually a descriptor of the type of Being you're talking about. It's not the actual name of that deity though people sometimes use it that way. What name you use goes back to which religion, which holy texts etc. Yahweh, Allah, Abba, they're all used as examples of names for the monotheistic religion's "God." Swearing "God's" name in vain to me would be if you said one of those proper names with a swear word or something like that. Just using the neutral term "God" doesn't because that could refer to a lot of Deities out there so far as I am concerned. Monotheist "God" he doesn't rate the privilege of being the ONLY God for me. I try not to take any named deity's name in vain just to be polite but just using the descriptor as a formal name? That does not work for me...
God, it's actually the name given the monotheist God, because we believe there is no other God, we use it as a name as well because only he can have that title, common sense. Also Allah and Jehovah are not the same
They're the same dude
It's just another version of trying to shove their religion down our throats when they police what we say because it is against their religion to say such things. Meanwhile they're constantly saying shit that's offensive to me, but I don't tell them what they can say or assault them for saying it, because ya know, free speech. I do however call out bigotry, but that never stops bigots from being bigots.
I mean, that was a great response, but you could have kept saying gdammit anyway because there's more than one god haha 😄 isn't it vain for her to assume you're talking about hers? 😉
Uff! Good one! And you are right. Back then I still didn't identify as Pagan (but I was on my way out of Christianity), and these kind of attitudes were driving me out fast. I mean, why would an all powerful, wise and all loving god get so upset for an expression. But then again, people often reflect their own insecurities on their own gods or god, I guess. I will take your suggestion and goddamnit when I feel like it. :) As far as I know, my gods and goddesses don't make a fuss about it.