On Using the Name of God in Vein

[ThePuppyTurtle]

What exactly counts as sinful?

Does using the word God in casual conversation count?

In particular, does me titling my web serial “In The Name Of God” count? (The series is about Humanity and an alien race in a religious war. The Humans are Catholics, thus the God referred to is The Trinity, but I don’t want to be more specific as I want it to apply to an alien religion too).

I ask as I want to know.

In addition, I want to Name several Characters after saints. Is this Okay? What if the characters are evil, or at least far from flawless?

 

[fred_conty]

Since what you described is not very clear, I can’t answer with any certainty.
But off hand it dosen’t sound very right to do. To me it smacks of being at least a little offensive. This is the best I can do under the little I know.

 

[ThePuppyTurtle]

Since what you described is not very clear, I can’t answer with any certainty.
But off hand it dosen’t sound very right to do. To me it smacks of being at least a little offensive. This is the best I can do under the little I know.

What can I do to clarify?

 

[fred_conty]

What can I do to clarify?

It isn’t clear what the serial is about and how it is presented.

I did forget to answer,“Does using the word God in casual conversation count?”
You mean like “Oh, g–”? I would say this is wrong.

Others say it isn’t because it is not the proper name of God.
I disagree. In the “Holy,HOly,Holy” of the Mass, we say
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven…”

I think we shouldn’t always measure whether something is a sin or not, but whether it is appropriate or not. If we always measure by “sin” whether we do something, then it isn’t comming from our heart and we then become legalistic in our approach to what we believe.
Some things may be lawful but at the same time contrary to the spirit.

 

[ThePuppyTurtle]

It isn’t clear what the serial is about and how it is presented.

I did forget to answer,“Does using the word God in casual conversation count?”
You mean like “Oh, g–”? I would say this is wrong.

Others say it isn’t because it is not the proper name of God.
I disagree. In the “Holy,HOly,Holy” of the Mass, we say
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven…”

I think we shouldn’t always measure whether something is a sin or not, but whether it is appropriate or not. If we always measure by “sin” whether we do something, then it isn’t comming from our heart and we then become legalistic in our approach to what we believe.
Some things may be lawful but at the same time contrary to the spirit.

I had in mind theological discussion when it comes to everyday conversation, not use as an expletive, I men when God bears mention while discussing the matter under discussion.

And the serial is about a religiously motivated war between Humanity and a species of aliens. Both have certain religious beliefs causing both species to be attempting to eradicate the other. The Humans, having trusted undefined doctrine too much, believe they own the universe, and the aliens, Having done the same, believe they have the divine right and duty to judge on God’s behalf.

And also, May I name characters after saints? Is that disrespectful to them in a way that is not allowed? I don’t remember us discontinuing the name Thomas so… May I?

 

[animalis]

Number 2142 and following in the Catechism of the Catholic Church will give you the assurance for salvation on the Second Commandment.
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7I.HTM

There should be the concern for the true good of the other in each interaction of love in an exchange of characters. For love is simply willing the good the other.

“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment.” (Mt 12:36)

“The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law.” (Rom 13:10)

 

[fred_conty]

I had in mind theological discussion when it comes to everyday conversation, not use as an expletive, I men when God bears mention while discussing the matter under discussion.

And the serial is about a religiously motivated war between Humanity and a species of aliens. Both have certain religious beliefs causing both species to be attempting to eradicate the other. The Humans, having trusted undefined doctrine too much, believe they own the universe, and the aliens, Having done the same, believe they have the divine right and duty to judge on God’s behalf.

And also, May I name characters after saints? Is that disrespectful to them in a way that is not allowed? I don’t remember us discontinuing the name Thomas so… May I?

I don’t see any problem referring to God in theologial or other respectful discussions.
In fact we do it here on CAF.

As to whether we may use saints names in novels or other writtings, those names are everyday names like those in movies, history, and obituaries.

As far as the fictional story you are writting, I still feel a bit uncomfortable with using the word “trinity” because it has become closely associated with the divine name. Maybe substituting the word “triad” or “trifold” would do just as well, or some name completely different, such as “belazon” or “vonnin”.

Good wishes on it.

 

[robertericleech]

Vain, not vein. I know, spell check doesn’t work on homophones.