The Second Commandment and the modern world

[Footprints]

Alright. So I’ve seen several threads from the past on here that say using terms like “gosh”, “good grief”, and “goodness” are simply euphemisms or evasive synonyms to taking God’s Name in vain. As someone who used to take God’s Name in vain quite often, I turned to those sorts of terms to wean me off of the abuse of God’s Name. And it worked! Sometimes I get scrupulous about it but it did work. In fact, I will admit that I use those phrases to help me get my mind off of either blasphemous intrusive thoughts or other intrusive thoughts. I’m not sure why but it works to be saying those in my mind and then turning my mind onto something else… it’s a bit of a habit. I know many faithful Catholics and also some Protestants who use other phrases but avoid the actual titles of God.

Can someone tell me if there is anywhere official that says these other terms that the world has coined are the same as taking the Name of Jesus or God in vain? Now, I could never imagine purposely using those most Holy Names but I also don’t want to be using terms that are, according to some, literally the same thing. Others have tried to explain that in modern society, those terms do not mean the same thing but wouldn’t they mean the same thing to God? But then again, I wouldn’t think saying “goodness” or “good grief” would be anywhere near God. I could see “gosh” but even that is an obvious way to not say God’s Name in vain, isn’t it? I suppose I say it in surprise or frustration but it is to avoid taking God’s Name in vain.

I guess part of it would also be the fact that at Confession, I wouldn’t think of confessing that I use those terms so I wouldn’t want the Confession to be invalid because I’m leaving something out. I suppose it annoys me a bit that there are so many varying opinions on this. Can’t it just be that if something is wrong, it is wrong!?

 

[s.cono]

Official? I never found anything official about it anywhere.

I went to Catholic elementary and high school, and do recall the nuns telling us it was sinful to use some of those euphemisms, but I also remember them telling us it was extremely sinful to chew the Eucharist, and better to not even let it touch your teeth, rather have it dissolve on your tongue.

I also struggled, and sometimes still do, in regard to swearing. Blasphemy as well, but to a much lesser degree. I do use “good grief” on a daily basis, or sometimes simply “goodness”. I don’t think to myself "I’m going to say “good grief in lieu of saying an insult to God”. When I see the interstate suddenly grind to a standstill for as far as the eye can see, “good grief” to me means about the same as “uh oh”. I really don’t think it’s worth sweating this stuff, unless you’re really doing it intentionally.

What I found helped curb my profanity quite a lot is to recite the “Divine Praises” when I say my daily prayers.

Blessed be God
Blessed be His Holy Name
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man
Blessed be the Name of Jesus
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete
Blessed be the great Mother of Christ, Mary most Holy
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption
Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints

 

[Wozza]

Unless there is intention, I wouldn’t worry about it.

True story: A few months ago I was in Spain and walked into in a bar after a long hot day. The barmaid asked what I’d like, in Spanish, and I replied in Spanish: ‘I really need a beer please’. Except I mixed up a vowel in the colloquial term for ‘small beer’ and it came out as a very vulgar expressions for…well let’s say a body part. It was only her very shocked expression that made me mentally backtrack what I’d actually said.

I couldn’t apologise enough but she laughed it off. I hadn’t meant any offense and she took none. In fact, she took great delight in relating my faux pas to everyone else, much to my ambarrasment.

So no intent, no crime.

 

[Francis]

Can someone tell me if there is anywhere official that says these other terms that the world has coined are the same as taking the Name of Jesus or God in vain? Now, I could never imagine purposely using those most Holy Names but I also don’t want to be using terms that are, according to some, literally the same thing. Others have tried to explain that in modern society, those terms do not mean the same thing but wouldn’t they mean the same thing to God? But then again, I wouldn’t think saying “goodness” or “good grief” would be anywhere near God. I could see “gosh” but even that is an obvious way to not say God’s Name in vain, isn’t it? I suppose I say it in surprise or frustration but it is to avoid taking God’s Name in vain.

If your want to be faithful in small things you can be ,why not or we can change our habitual habits to by replacing them with ,like eg \God or Jesus have mercy on me a sinner or your grace is sufficient for me. small indulgence prayers or Ejaculatory prayers These short “mini-prayers,” also called “aspirations” or “invocations,” are to be said throughout the day to keep our minds focused on Heavenly things and to consecrate our efforts. It is good to adopt one of these as your own so that in times of stress, words that can focus your attention back to the holy come easily. These are all indulgenced prayers .Simple, Short, Indulgenced Prayer Ejaculations - Totus Tuus Family & Catholic Homeschool

Domine Iesu Christe, Filius Dei, miserere me peccatorem! (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!) Variations: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”; “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”; “O God, be merciful to me a sinner!”. This prayer is known as the “Jesus Prayer.” It is the cry of the publican of Luke 18:13.

EJACULATORY PRAYERS – Prayers4reparation's Blog

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http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a2.htm

2160 “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth” ( Ps 8:1)!

2161 The second commandment enjoins respect for the Lord’s name. The name of the Lord is holy.

2162 The second commandment forbids every improper use of God’s name. Blasphemy is the use of the name of God, of Jesus Christ, of the Virgin Mary, and of the saints in an offensive way.

2163 False oaths call on God to be witness to a lie. Perjury is a grave offence against the Lord who is always faithful to his promises.

2164 “Do not swear whether by the Creator, or any creature, except truthfully, of necessity, and with reverence” (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 38).

2165 In Baptism, the Christian receives his name in the Church. Parents, godparents, and the pastor are to see that he be given a Christian name. The patron saint provides a model of charity and the assurance of his prayer.

2166 The Christian begins his prayers and activities with the Sign of the Cross: “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

2167 God calls each one by name (cf. Isa 43:1).