Taking the Lord's Name in Vain...

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Of course I don’t do it myself(Thank you Mother for training me so well!) but almost everyone I know does.
There is this teen at church who I really like, and I can tell he is a really good person, but I’m almost positive that he take the Lord’s Name (Don’t know if I should capitalize “name” or not, lol.) in vain sometimes. I actually haven’t talked to him yet…😊… but I’ve heard him some times with his friends. I do want to be friends with him someday (I’m so shy!) but I’m afraid that if he does do that, that I’d be sort of uncomfortable… I’m wondering if you guys have any advice for me about what I should do. Not just what I should say to him, but to other people who take God’s Name in vain. It really bothers me, knowing that it is against the Commandments. It just bothers me more than someone who I have high standards for would do that. (I know you guys must think I’m silly to be talking about this guy like I already am good friends with and know really well like this, but I don’t have many friends so it’s hard not to do this, lol. Anyway, I can sort of see through to a person’s soul [Not like St. Padre Pio, just like seeing if they are going to be good or if they are cruel] and Kevin [the teenager, lol] seems to be a very good person.)

Ugh, I should be famous for my rambling.

Let’s see if I can sum my question up in a few words:
I’m wondering what I should do the next time a friend or acquaintance uses God’s Name in vain. I’d let it go, but it just doesn’t seem right to me to do that.

(Do you guys think I am a silly girl? lol)
 
You could just say ‘please don’t say that, especially around me. I’d really appreciate it.’ then if they ask ‘say what around you?’ you tell them ‘please don’t say the Lord’s name in vain’ then move on.

Now around this crush of yours I wouldn’t say anything at first. I’d get to know him better then you can talk to him that it bothers you (because if you’re trying to get him, criticizing the way he speaks can be a turn off). So be friends first then tell him. Tell him the same way you’d tell other people (see above paragraph).

That’s what I’d do anyway. Hope this helps!
 
cooldude has some good ideas.

Another subtle thing would be to make a small Sign of the Cross on your forehead or on your heart (using your thumb) when someone does it.
 
I do say “Blessed be God’s Name forever” but seeing as I’m really shy, it’s hard to say it loud enough for people to hear.

(And I totally agree with you, Coolduude. Thanks for the advice!)
 
You know you could also offer a decade [of the Rosary] a day for the reparation of the misuse of God’s holy Name. It can’t hurt to try it 👍
 
Yes, I think you are silly but you pose a good question.

I was taught that taking the Lord’s name in vain meant that we are placing ourselves in dominion over someone or something and condemning it to hell. When we damn something nor someone it is not our place to perform that function. So, I have heard many a priest say “Good Lord”. This is not considered taking the Lord’s name in vain if it is used in context with a pure heart and a pleading or excited utterance. Like “Good golly Miss Molly!”. I usually use “Good Grief!”, “Good Gravy! “(a favorite),“Holy Moley”(Walter Mathau), or 'good gracious me”, “my Gosh”, " Darn!” (another of my favorites) “Dang”, and “Frack” (Battlestar Galatica) or “Frick” (Scrubs). You see, there are so many alternatives that are not offensive to anyone. Try using them around this person and it may catch on. Better yet, invent your own exclamation such as “Oh, Blather Lips!” Try using the exclamations with different intonations and see what feels best and blast your way out of using reigious exclamations.👍
 
I get very angry when people do this around me. I have to admit that, more than once, I’ve been a tad uncharitable. Not pre-meditated by any means, it just happens. The last time someone did this, I blurted out, “Watch your mouth. That’s a good way to get your teeth knocked out.” Then I felt like I should go to confession myself.

The only advice I can give is to not say that to someone you’re trying to win over. LOL
 
My dear old dad told me years ago, that, if the name was taken a certain way, I could turn it into a prayer. It doesn’t work for all the ways the Lord’s name is taken in vain , but he said,
" If you hear someone blurt out 'Jesus Christ! '… then you can add silently to it : ‘…have mercy on me - a sinner.’ "

🙂
 
Orchids said:
Of course I don’t do it myself(Thank you Mother for training me so well!) but almost everyone I know does.
There is this teen at church who I really like, and I can tell he is a really good person, but I’m almost positive that he take the Lord’s Name (Don’t know if I should capitalize “name” or not, lol.) in vain sometimes. I actually haven’t talked to him yet…😊… but I’ve heard him some times with his friends. I do want to be friends with him someday (I’m so shy!) but I’m afraid that if he does do that, that I’d be sort of uncomfortable… I’m wondering if you guys have any advice for me about what I should do. Not just what I should say to him, but to other people who take God’s Name in vain. It really bothers me, knowing that it is against the Commandments. It just bothers me more than someone who I have high standards for would do that. (I know you guys must think I’m silly to be talking about this guy like I already am good friends with and know really well like this, but I don’t have many friends so it’s hard not to do this, lol. Anyway, I can sort of see through to a person’s soul [Not like St. Padre Pio, just like seeing if they are going to be good or if they are cruel] and Kevin [the teenager, lol] seems to be a very good person.)

Ugh, I should be famous for my rambling.

Let’s see if I can sum my question up in a few words:
I’m wondering what I should do the next time a friend or acquaintance uses God’s Name in vain. I’d let it go, but it just doesn’t seem right to me to do that.

(Do you guys think I am a silly girl? lol)
Click to expand...
My Church has some cards that are business card size. They say

Blessed Be GOD Blessed be his Holy Name.

Blesssed Be the Holy Name of Jesus. There is no other name by which men are saved.

You can have some printed up and carry them with you. when someone uses the Name of GOD in Vain - hand them a card. there doesnt have to be an argument. Or a confrontation. And it gets the point across.

When this is not possible to do - you can recite the prayer to yourself. It takes the sting out of it. I am insulted when I hear this. To be honest - I would rather hear the F word than the Name of GOD in vain.

And you are right - it is rampant today.

Pax
 
NeedImprovement said:
My dear old dad told me years ago, that, if the name was taken a certain way, I could turn it into a prayer. It doesn’t work for all the ways the Lord’s name is taken in vain , but he said,
" If you hear someone blurt out 'Jesus Christ! '… then you can add silently to it : ‘…have mercy on me - a sinner.’ "

🙂
Click to expand...
That works for OMG too.
 
Just say “Please, I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t use the Lord’s name in vain.”

Then change the subject really quick (I’d think of what to change it to before you hang with him so you’re not stuck) so he doesn’t really have time to say anything back. You just leave it on that note.
 
I am so sick of hearing “OMG” all over the place. It is using our Lord’s name in vain and it seems as if no one cares. A priest at my parents church is famous for his blurting out, “Ohhh, myyyyyy Gaaaaawwwwwdddddd” in his loud, nasty voice.

This is very offensive. What to do?

Substituting “gosh” for “God” is the same thing.
 
Too much on TV and the Internet as well.

Taking our Lord’s name in vain is just all too common. It pains me to hear little kids crying out “OMG!”
 
Lately I’ve been sort of bowing my head and saying in my head some little ejaculation or prayer whenever somebody curses or uses God’s name in vain. You’d be suprised how nobody looks twice at you 🙂

Also make it clear that you don’t like foul language around you. Most people get the hint, and then if they curse they look at you and say, oh sorry. It helps when you’re nice about it, since then people will like you and not think you’re being condescending. And if they respect you, they might consider not cursing so much in general!
 
You are so right. A small prayer when someone curses usually does it. 🙂
 
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