Thou Shall Not Take The Name Of The Lord Thy God In Vain

[centurionguard]

Thou Shall Not Take The Name Of The Lord Thy God In Vain; the second Commandment.

Is it a wonder today how many people unconsciously often without fully realizing it blurt out the phrase My God or Oh My God. Its often used as an expression of excitement.

Some people see it far less worse than using Our Lord Jesus Christ name in vain.
I’ve brought this up before in front of other Catholic friends and family.

One guy said to me (“Well aren’t you a purist”). To which I answered no I’m not because I’ve caught myself saying My God as an expression without really taking a hard look at what I’m saying.

So I’m asking what are your thoughts on this?

 

[ahs]

Ive heard alot of argument that it is not taking The Lord’s Name in vain to say “Oh my God” as an expression of excitement or otherwise. But I disagree. Unless you are actually praying or lifting the expression to God, calling upon Him, then there is no usefulness in the phrase; in other words, it is in vain.

My Mother-in-law says this alot and my wife gets on to her for it when she does it in front of the kids. We don’t want them growing up thinking it’s okay to throw God’s name around irreverently like that.

 

[centurionguard]

Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church

1. I AM THE LORD THY GOD: THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME. Commands: faith, making an effort to know what God has revealed through His Church, believing all that God has revealed, professing belief in what God has revealed; hope; love; worship of God; reverence for holy things, prayer and sacrifice.
   Forbids: idolatry, giving to a creature (any person but God) or creation (e.g. sun, moon, stars, “Mother Earth”) the honor which belongs to God alone, superstition, spiritualism, seances, astrology, horoscopes, fortune telling, palm reading, ouija boards, trying to communicate with the dead directly or through others, and all occult practices; tempting God, sacrilege, attendance at false worship; presumption and despair; renouncing the faith or giving up the practice of our religion for the sake of wealth, honors, society, or worldly pleasures.
2. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN. Commands: speaking with reverence of God and of the saints, and of all holy things; keeping lawful oaths and vows.
   Forbids: blasphemy, the irreverent use of God’s name, speaking disrespectfully of holy things, profane words (cursing); false, rash, unjust, and unnecessary oaths and the breaking of vows.
3. REMEMBER THOU KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY. Commands: going to Church on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation, reverence in Church.
   Forbids: missing Church through one’s own fault; unnecessary servile work; unnecessary public buying and selling; court trials; and whatever else may hinder the due observance of the Lord’s day.
4. HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER. Commands: love, respect, obedience to parents of children in all that is not sin; care on the part of parents for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their children; obedience to lawful civil authorities, obedience to religious superiors (when in accordance with Magisterial teaching.).
   Forbids: hatred of parents and superiors; contempt, disrespect and disobedience towards our parents or lawful superiors.
5. THOU SHALL NOT KILL. Commands: live in peace and union with our neighbor, to respect his rights, to seek his spiritual and bodily welfare, and to take proper care of our own life and health; controlling one’s anger.
   Forbids: all willful murder, suicide, abortion, euthanasia, artificial contraception, sterilization, cloning, endangering life and limb of self or others, fighting, anger, hatred, revenge, and bad example.
6. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. Commands: chastity and modesty in all our looks, words, and actions; avoiding occasions of sin.
   Forbids: unchaste freedom with another’s wife or husband; pornography, bad movies or books, obscene speech; impure actions alone or with others; masturbation, fornication, homosexuality, incest, bestiality, pedophilia; also all immodesty with ourselves or others in looks, dress, words, or actions.
7. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL. Commands: respect for the property and rights of others; the paying of just debts; paying just wages to employees; integrity in public officials. Repentance for sins also requires the restoration of ill-gotten goods, or the value of them, as best as we are able, bound to repair the damage we have unjustly caused.
   Forbids: theft; damage to the property of others; not paying just debts; not returning found or borrowed articles; giving unjust measure or weight in selling; not paying just wages; bribery; graft; cheating; fraud; accepting stolen property; not giving an honest day’s work for wages received; violation of contract.
8. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR. Commands: truthfulness in all things, respect for the good name and reputation of other; the observance of secrecy when required. Repentance for sin also requires those who have lied about their neighbor and seriously injured his character must repair the injury done as far as they are able.
   Forbids: lying, injury to good name of others, slander, detraction, tale bearing, rash judgment, backbiting, rash judgments, contemptuous speech; and the violation of secrecy.
9. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S WIFE. Commands: purity in thought and desire.
   Forbids: unchaste or impure thoughts, desires of another’s wife or husband, and all other unlawful impure thoughts and desires.
10. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S GOODS. Commands: be content with what we have, respect for the rights of others; rejoice in our neighbor’s welfare.
    Forbids: desires to take or keep wrongfully, or to damage, what property belongs to another.

 

[ahs]

On another note, my nephew has gotten in to the habit of turning people’s expressions into prayers for them. If he hears soemone say “Oh God” or “Oh my God” in public, he’ll audibly ‘finish their prayer’ for them with “…you are so good” or “…is a loving and merciful God” or something of that nature.

 

[Bookcat]

As the Scholastics would say “always distinguish”

One will find that various authors distinguish between “profanity” and “Blasphemy” in using or rather *misusing *God’s name …or that of the Saints etc.

Profanity in this sense is to take what is holy and use it in a profane (ordinary) way …usually I see this as described ordinarily as a venial sin…(or perhaps even not a sin due to habit …inadvertance etc) (though there can be uses of profanity which could end up grave via circumstances…for example causing grave scandal somehow…)

Blasphemy on the other hand is objectively gravely sinful…which in this sense would be to use the name of God in a way that expresses hatred etc towards God (or similar…see the CCC for more details)

As for the habit of saying “oh my God” --this should not be done…but would usually fall into the area of profanity…and often in the habit area…or inadvertant use…which may mean no sin happened at all…

Here are the Catholic Answers Apologists comments:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=469417&highlight=name+of+god

Hardon: catholicreference.net/index.cfm?id=32193

(and even if one misuses such in a venial way…such is certainly one venial sin to root out right away!!!)

of course talk with your confessor too as to particular questions that come up for you.

Let us “hallow” his name…let us bless it …praise it…

Praised be Jesus Christ -now and forever!

 

[meltzerboy]

Thou Shall Not Take The Name Of The Lord Thy God In Vain; the second Commandment.

Is it a wonder today how many people unconsciously often without fully realizing it blurt out the phrase My God or Oh My God. Its often used as an expression of excitement.

Some people see it far less worse than using Our Lord Jesus Christ name in vain.
I’ve brought this up before in front of other Catholic friends and family.

One guy said to me (“Well aren’t you a purist”). To which I answered no I’m not because I’ve caught myself saying My God as an expression without really taking a hard look at what I’m saying.

So I’m asking what are your thoughts on this?

According to Jewish thought, this commandment refers explicitly to taking G-d’s name in vain with respect to oaths and vows that one has no intention of fulfilling (a false oath) or one knows would be difficult to achieve. Indeed one can never quite be sure of fulfilling a vow or oath, so it is best not to use G-d’s name by swearing. The use of G-d’s name in meaningless expressions of excitement, surprise, or shock is not expressly forbidden but probably should be avoided since it trivializes the name of G-d. Incidentally, the reason G-d’s name is generally not written in full is not so much because of respect and awe for the majesty of His Eternal Being, but rather the fear that His name may be erased or deleted, which is forbidden. This in itself is, of course, a sign of great respect.

 

[centurionguard]

According to Jewish thought, this commandment refers explicitly to taking God’s name in vain with respect to oaths and vows that one has no intention of fulfilling (a false oath) or one knows would be difficult to achieve. Indeed one can never quite be sure of fulfilling a vow or oath, so it is best not to use God’s name by swearing. The use of God’s name in meaningless expressions of excitement, surprise, or shock is not expressly forbidden but probably should be avoided since it trivializes the name of G-d. Incidentally, the reason God’s name is generally not written in full is not so much because of respect and awe for the majesty of His Eternal Being, but rather the fear that His name may be erased or deleted, which is forbidden. This in itself is, of course, a sign of great respect.

You say that

**The use of God’s name in meaningless expressions of excitement, surprise, or shock is not expressly forbidden but probably should be avoided since it trivializes the name of G-d. **

I Agree. However; how does using such expressions bring moral accountability in relation to the Second Commandment? Is it at the very least a venial sin as someone else in this thread suggested. Or does the Church overlook such trivial expressions as I have heard someone else say?

I only brought emphasis to this thread because I find such expression nonchalantly used everyday by most people in society and even many in the Church.

I cringe every time I hear people say the Lord’s name J.C.
And I’ve heard people use J.C.'s name in expressions without fully being cognizant of what they are saying and not just necessarily expressed in anger or berating something or someone. It really is awful when people resort to such language.

 

[mark_a]

So I’m asking what are your thoughts on this?

You are correct.

 

[meltzerboy]

You say that

I Agree. However; how does using such expressions bring moral accountability in relation to the Second Commandment? Is it at the very least a venial sin as someone else in this thread suggested. Or does the Church overlook such trivial expressions as I have heard someone else say?

I only brought emphasis to this thread because I find such expression nonchalantly used everyday by most people in society and even many in the Church.

I cringe every time I hear people say the Lord’s name J.C.
And I’ve heard people use J.C.'s name in expressions without fully being cognizant of what they are saying and not just necessarily expressed in anger or berating something or someone. It really is awful when people resort to such language.

Jews have different categories of sins, as do Catholics, even though we don’t use the terminology mortal sin and venial sin. Trivializing G-d’s name is, I would think, equivalent to a venial sin, or at best a near-occasion of sin. One can sin unintentionally as well, but this is much less grave. Although I’m not Christian, even when I hear Jesus Christ’s name uttered casually or in anger by a Catholic, Protestant, or (sometimes) a Jew, it doesn’t seem proper to me. In this respect, I suppose I’m traditional.

 

[thistle]

Thou Shall Not Take The Name Of The Lord Thy God In Vain; the second Commandment.

Is it a wonder today how many people unconsciously often without fully realizing it blurt out the phrase My God or Oh My God. Its often used as an expression of excitement.

Some people see it far less worse than using Our Lord Jesus Christ name in vain.
I’ve brought this up before in front of other Catholic friends and family.

One guy said to me (“Well aren’t you a purist”). To which I answered no I’m not because I’ve caught myself saying My God as an expression without really taking a hard look at what I’m saying.

So I’m asking what are your thoughts on this?

It is not a sin if someone unconsciously blurts out Oh My God.

 

[centurionguard]

It is not a sin if someone unconsciously blurts out Oh My God.

Well on all accounts this expression is used so so very often today it would be difficult to draw a line and say who unconsciously says Oh My God and who consciously says it.

It is after all used in everyday lingo in our culture as a bad habit at the very least.

Perhaps there are some who think this expression is trivial.

 

[AndrewM]

It is not a sin if someone unconsciously blurts out Oh My God.

I have never heard anyone unconsciously blurt out “oh my God”. Everyone I’ve heard who said this was awake and conscious. I also respectfully disagree with Fr. Vincent Serpa who wrote here…
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=49607

phrases like “Oh, my God!” and “Oh, God!” and “Lord, have mercy!” and “Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” are never used to blaspheme.

Fr. Serpa doesn’t seem to be aware of the many ways these phrases ARE used to make a joke (and often an obscene one) which is certainly blasphemous. I think what should be considered here is what should be considered in evaluating any sin, that is INTENT. If someone uses these phrases out of awe, reverence, and prayer (in times of anguish or elation), it certainly isn’t blasphemous.

As the Scholastics would say “always distinguish”

One will find that various authors distinguish between “profanity” and “Blasphemy” in using or rather *misusing *God’s name …or that of the Saints etc.

Profanity in this sense is to take what is holy and use it in a profane (ordinary) way …usually I see this as described ordinarily as a venial sin…(or perhaps even not a sin due to habit …inadvertance etc) (though there can be uses of profanity which could end up grave via circumstances…for example causing grave scandal somehow…)

Blasphemy on the other hand is objectively gravely sinful…which in this sense would be to use the name of God in a way that expresses hatred etc towards God (or similar…see the CCC for more details)

As for the habit of saying “oh my God” --this should not be done…but would usually fall into the area of profanity…and often in the habit area…or inadvertant use…which may mean no sin happened at all…

I think you have a point here Bookcat. It’s habitual use may be classified as profane and a venial sin, and not necessarily blasphemous. But my question here is why should we approach even playing with whether something is blasphemous or profane/venial, shouldn’t we try to stay away from this entirely? I disagree that habitual sin may not be a sin at all; it would at least be venial. One cannot think of Adam not being thrown out of Eden if he committed habitual sin; do you think habitual sin would be allowed in Eden, or for that matter in Heaven?

On another note, my nephew has gotten in to the habit of turning people’s expressions into prayers for them. If he hears soemone say “Oh God” or “Oh my God” in public, he’ll audibly ‘finish their prayer’ for them with “…you are so good” or “…is a loving and merciful God” or something of that nature.

AHS, your nephew must be very blessed to have such a gift!

Maybe someone else knows of a sound catechism source, encyclical, or Church Father / Doctor teaching on this topic to provide a source to. I did over the past few hours come across this Protestant source (John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible) which I thought was a good description, which automatically had me Googling the topic to get a Catholic perspective (landing me here at Catholic Answers)…

biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/exodus-20-7.html
"Exodus 20:7
Thou shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain
Make use of the name Lord or God, or any other name and epithet of the divine Being, in a light and trifling way, without any show of reverence of him, and affection to him; whereas the name of God ought never to be mentioned but in a grave and serious manner, and with an awe of the greatness of his majesty upon the mind…"

 

[Bookcat]

I think you have a point here Bookcat. It’s habitual use may be classified as profane and a venial sin, and not necessarily blasphemous. But my question here is why should we approach even playing with whether something is blasphemous or profane/venial, shouldn’t we try to stay away from this entirely? I disagree that habitual sin may not be a sin at all; it would at least be venial. One cannot think of Adam not being thrown out of Eden if he committed habitual sin; do you think habitual sin would be allowed in Eden, or for that matter in Heaven?

1. This is a very old thread. We are not really to bring them back to life.
2. It may not be a sin at all --via the habitual nature in the sense of the unconsciousness of it…(or it may be sinful as I noted)…a person of course ought to seek to stop such a “habit”.
3. And yes we should stay away from such entirely. I noted:

"(and even if one misuses such in a venial way…such is certainly one venial sin to root out right away!!!)

of course talk with your confessor too as to particular questions that come up for you.

Let us “hallow” his name…let us bless it …praise it…

Praised be Jesus Christ -now and forever!"