Last night my 14 year old son Henry & I were chatting about why it bothers some people to hear "Oh my God."
So we got into the whole not-taking-the-Lord's-name-in-vain thing (unless it's the Dark Lord, of course ;-) ) & Henry told me that in his opinion, saying "Oh my God" doesn't constitute taking the Lord's name in vain. Instead, he believes that this is when someone does something evil, like fight a war or beat a child or oppress a certain class of human being, and it's done in the name of God. That says my very wise teenage boy, is taking the Lord's name in vain.
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7 comments:
You know, logically I agree with him. I think it's silly and legalistic to care about random interjections. But at the same time, it still bothers me (and GD even more so).
Our minister has actually addressed this issue several times. He agrees with Henry. When we do or wish evil thoughts/things in the name of the Lord it is taking the Lord's name in vain. Also, when we pray selfishly, no "your will be done" it is taking the Lord's name in vain. How many selfish prayers have I prayed? Many I am sad to admit. But like Jon said, it still bothers me to hear people use OMG and also GD.
GD is a no-no, I think, although my brother blogged this week about reclaiming certain words through overuse. This ONE word is still taboo to me--I see his point though.
How interesting that your son understands about not always taking the Bible absolutely literally, yet many others (ostensibly older and wiser) don't get it.
Well, this isn't even a case of not taking the Bible absolutely literally. In the Bible it does NOT say "thou shalt not say 'Oh my god'"--it says don't take the name of the Lord in vain. How this came to be known as just an utterance, I don't know. There are lots of much worse ways to take the name of the Lord in vain. Henry's got it--he's a very wise boy!
I agree with your son. I think what is really meant in the Bible is that we should not do things that dishonor God. But the English major in me says, but words do have meaning! They have power! I think it depends how you use it, probably it’s not meant to be said unnecessarily. It has to do with respect. When I switched to public school in 5th grade I had a lot of trouble keeping myself from saying, Oh my god! Speech was peppered with that phrase then, you heard it constantly. I had to work really really hard not to say it myself. I trained myself first not to say it, and then eventually stopped thinking it. So I know it can be done.
Great point Henry. I couldn't agree more.
somewhere i read a nice breakdown/explainer of the commandments. it suggested, rightly i think, that taking god's name in vain was more along the lines of entering into an oath or contract. like a 'i swear to god' or 'as god as my witness' sort of thing, where the invoker is basically lying.
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