"Oh my God" ?

[victasoft]

hi all:

i am just wondering when people say things like “Oh my God” or “Goddammit” is that really offensive to God? i heard that they are; so i’m just wondering, should i say something when i hear someone say it or should i just keep it to myself, because i don’t really want to stand by as people are being offensive to God? But if i should, then i have to do this to possibly a lot of people?

Can you just give me some of your thoughts? They will be very much appreciated.

May God bless you

 

[Labarum]

“Oh my God” i am not sure if that is bad or not and depending on the context it wouldn’t be.

GD, JC or other ones are bad since they are taking the Lord’s name in vain. If I am in the room with someone who says it I charitably point it out and let them know that I find it offensive and disrespectful to my Lord and faith.

It took a while for me to get to that since it is human nature to be concerned about what others would think or if you would become the target of teasing or taunts.

 

[Sherry_G]

It is certainly taking the Lord’s name in vain! When I hear someone say it, I cringe and make the sign of the cross. Depending on the circumstances, I might ask the person to reconsider their words in reverence to the Almighty.

 

[JRKH]

Context is certainly a factor, but in the vast majority of cases, the people saying it are not even thinking about what they are saying. The words are merely an outburst signifying surprise or astonishment or dismay or even pain.

I understand that it is difficult to hear these things over and over again…I worded for many years in factories and the language……In fact, for a time, I was just as bad as the rest. :imsorry:

As to calling people on it…That is also difficult. I think it depends to a certain extent on how well you know someone. I don’t think it would do much good to admonish someone you barely know and what you do know is that they are atheist…
On the other hand, if you know the person and that person is at least nominally Christian, then yes - I would suggest quietly and privately reminding them that using such language is offensive to God.

If you would like to offer a reparation to God for such language you could devise a quick prayer asking forgiveness for them. You might even simply say something like “23:34” alluding to this:
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”… (Luke 23:34)
If you wish it to be a bit more "provocative’ you could strike your breast anytime you hear such things and simply say or think, “Forgive them”. Such an action might cause someone to ask why you do this and open an opportunity to discuss the matter.

Most importantly though - as we look for how to appropriately respond to the splinter in our neighbor’s eye, we need to be aware of our own faults and how we live and project Christ to the World. Nothing is more damaging than hippocracy.

Peace
James

 

[Scoobyshme]

Keep in mind that the Jews of the Old Testament gave the death penalty to anyone who even said God’s name out loud. Say, “God” just once, and BAM, you’re dead. No second chance, do not pass “Go,” and do not collect $200. Gone pecan. (That rhymes when Cajuns pronounce it. LOL)

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Keep in mind that the Jews of the Old Testament gave the death penalty to anyone who even said God’s name out loud. Say, “God” just once, and BAM, you’re dead. No second chance, do not pass “Go,” and do not collect $200. Gone pecan. (That rhymes when Cajuns pronounce it. LOL)

While it is true that Jews do not allow for the saying of God’s name, it is important to understand that the word God is not His name. Yahweh (this is the modern equivalent of the Hebrew) is God’s name.

Just another little tidbit that we discussed one of my theology classes over the past week.

 

[wisdomseeker]

hi all:

i am just wondering when people say things like “Oh my God” or “Goddammit” is that really offensive to God? i heard that they are; so i’m just wondering, should i say something when i hear someone say it or should i just keep it to myself, because i don’t really want to stand by as people are being offensive to God? But if i should, then i have to do this to possibly a lot of people?

Can you just give me some of your thoughts? They will be very much appreciated.

May God bless you

Thou shall take the Lord’s name in vain. it is a serious business. today, people have lost the sense of Sacred and no longer have reverence and care for the Name of the Lord.

 

[A_G]

Saying “Oh my God,” or “JC” without respect or without praise, is certainly taking the Lord’s name in vain.

When something shocks or surprises us, a better alternative to say is something like “Lord have Mercy” or “Lord help (us)” to make sure we do not offend the Lord. Now even if we say “Oh my God,” it is not necessarily bad. It depends. If we just throw it around (with emptiness and no meaning) the way most people do today then yes, it is a sin. However if we say it as a prayer, it is ok. God knows what we mean when we use His name, so we are to be careful and use this phrase responsibly if we use it.

God wants His name to be revered and respected always. We use His name when we pray and call on Him for help, forgiveness, and to thank Him. Other than prayer, if we speak about God, we must speak with respect for Him.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord his God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7) Douay-Rheims Bible

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Just to say it again. God is not His name. It is a title. His name is what I posted earlier or what He said to Moses, “I AM”.

I do not see OMG as being sacrilegious. GD might but but even if it isn’t I do not believe that it is in good taste.

 

[ConstantineTG]

hi all:

i am just wondering when people say things like “Oh my God” or “Goddammit” is that really offensive to God? i heard that they are; so i’m just wondering, should i say something when i hear someone say it or should i just keep it to myself, because i don’t really want to stand by as people are being offensive to God? But if i should, then i have to do this to possibly a lot of people?

Can you just give me some of your thoughts? They will be very much appreciated.

May God bless you

I don’t believe God can ever be offended in all his mightiness and his perfection. But when we do things that “offends God”, we are actually wounding our relationship further with Him. It affects us more and distances us more from Him, thus the likelihood that we are not in communion with Him when we die and thus end up in hell.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Just to say it again. God is not His name. It is a title. His name is what I posted earlier or what He said to Moses, “I AM”.

I do not see OMG as being sacrilegious. GD might but but even if it isn’t I do not believe that it is in good taste.

God is indeed His name. To begin the Creed we say, “I believe in God.” Not, “I believe in a God” or “I believe in the God”.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

God is indeed His name. To begin the Creed we say, “I believe in God.” Not, “I believe in a God” or “I believe in the God”.

I think you need to take a look at the Creed again.

It does not being “I believe in God”.

It beings “I believe in one God, the Father almighty”.

But then what do I know. I go with the experts which would be my theology professors in my graduate program.

 

[TiggerS]

“God” is certainly not God’s Name, but it is generally understood as being a referral to “I Am Who Am” and to God The Father - and hence best avoided out of profound respect for God. Most of the time, if not all the time, I think “Oh my God!” or “Oh my goodness” (and God is All and Ultimate Goodness) just slip out without prethought and I am guilty of this exclamation, but after reflecting on this thread, I intend to try to avoid using such terms as exclamations in future. I very much doubt there is anything sinful if they slip out through a bad habit entrenched and if God takes any great offense when human weakness is operating - but reflection tells me it is a bad habit that I am going to strive to correct.

 

[Monica4316]

hi all:

i am just wondering when people say things like “Oh my God” or “Goddammit” is that really offensive to God? i heard that they are; so i’m just wondering, should i say something when i hear someone say it or should i just keep it to myself, because i don’t really want to stand by as people are being offensive to God? But if i should, then i have to do this to possibly a lot of people?

Can you just give me some of your thoughts? They will be very much appreciated.

May God bless you

I think that yes, it is offensive, and it’s taking His name in vain. There are two ways to not take God’s name in vain:

• if you are talking to Him
• if you are talking about Him in a serious way, as we are doing now.

If someone says His name lightly like that, or especially as a curse, that is taking His name in vain and is a sin.

If someone you know says this a lot, - you can maybe mention to them not to say it, but if they persist, just offer a prayer whenever they do it… for example if someone says His name in vain, you can say silently “blessed be His name”.

God bless

 

[Nelka]

hi all:

i am just wondering when people say things like “Oh my God” or “Goddammit” is that really offensive to God? i heard that they are; so i’m just wondering, should i say something when i hear someone say it or should i just keep it to myself, because i don’t really want to stand by as people are being offensive to God? But if i should, then i have to do this to possibly a lot of people?

Can you just give me some of your thoughts? They will be very much appreciated.

May God bless you

I find it offensive and it is a commandment.

 

[puzzleannie]

hi all:

i am just wondering when people say things like “Oh my God” or “Goddammit” is that really offensive to God? i

my thoughts are irrelevant. God has made a commandment about this so we can take it that yes, it is offensive to him, and yes we should say something when we hear it, but always with charity.

 

[White_Peony]

Unless you’re saying the Act of Contrition, it’s a sin.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Unless you’re saying the Act of Contrition, it’s a sin.

So when something bad happens and I say “Oh My God” as a prayer of intercession for what is occurring it is a sin?

I think people need to focus more on what they are doing rather than judging the sinfulness of others.

 

[wjp984]

I think you need to take a look at the Creed again.

It does not being “I believe in God”.

It beings “I believe in one God, the Father almighty”.

But then what do I know. I go with the experts which would be my theology professors in my graduate program.

First of all, let me start by saying I agree with you and I saw this discussion over YHWH and God in another discussion over whether God is God’s name or just a title. This was news to me becaue I previously though that YHWH meant God in Hebrew.

However, although you would be correct in stating that the Nicene Creed begins “I believe one God” The Apostles creed (I don’t think the East uses this prayer) starts with “I believe in God.”

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

First of all, let me start by saying I agree with you and I saw this discussion over YHWH and God in another discussion over whether God is God’s name or just a title. This was news to me becaue I previously though that YHWH meant God in Hebrew.

However, although you would be correct in stating that the Nicene Creed begins “I believe one God” The Apostles creed (I don’t think the East uses this prayer) starts with “I believe in God.”

That does not change the fact that God is a title and not a Name.

For example. The President of the United States is addressed as Mr. President. Is President his name or his title?

As I stated though, I will go with what my professors are telling me over the opinion on an anonymous internet forum.