God's Name

[John Henry]

Why do some members use any of these words? Curious. Using God's name is all right as long as it is used reverently, these are the phrases:

Oh my God, Oh my gosh, gosh, my gosh, gee, golly, Good God!, Great God!, ThankGod!

[TigerShadow]

Gosh, gee, and golly aren't a big deal to me, because even though they started out as slang for God's name, most people don't even remember that, and they sound so dissimilar to God's or Jesus's name that even I don't remember their etymology unless someone raises the question. But yeah, using the name of God as an expletive or exclamation is definitely not okay, because that is the name by which we know our God, and His name should not be reduced to being another word that we use when feeling a strong emotion.

[John Henry]

Even slangs can be sin. God's name as a slang? Never.

[TigerShadow]

That's what I just said.

[Doll]

Gosh and Golly don't bother me that much, but gee and geez do, but some of my family even says it, so...

I say Oh my word at times as well.

[Samantha14]

I use thank God. it isn't a swear word unless implied to be, but I use it in sentences like "It stopped storming, Thank God!"

[Tea Ess]

Gosh, gee, and golly aren't a big deal to me, because even though they started out as slang for God's name, most people don't even remember that, and they sound so dissimilar to God's or Jesus's name that even I don't remember their etymology unless someone raises the question. But yeah, using the name of God as an expletive or exclamation is definitely not okay, because that is the name by which we know our God, and His name should not be reduced to being another word that we use when feeling a strong emotion.

Yes, basically this. I personally don't use any derivative of God's name as an exclamatory word, but it doesn't particularly bother me when other people do, because 99% of people don't realize the connection or actually mean God's name when they say them.

[John Henry]

Gosh and Golly don't bother me that much, but gee and geez do, but some of my family even says it, so...

I say Oh my word at times as well.

Oh my goodness & Oh my word is OK.

[HomeschoolCowgirl]

Saying Thank God is slang?
I say that, meaning, "Thank God" is - it's like an expression of, well, thankfulness to God for something that happened -- at least that's the only context I have used/heard it used...

[Ashley]

I say gosh and goodness, but that's about as far as I go I think that "gee" and geez" are way too close to Jesus to use them. But that's just my opinion.

[Wakko]

Gosh and goly don't bother me what so ever. I don't believe that you should use God's name in vain, but I don't believe that Thank God is taking His name in vain. I can't remember the last time someone used the word gee seriously so, I don't really have a problem with it. =p As for geez the only time I ever hear anyone say it, (or I use it) is when they're quoting Napoleon Dynamite.

[TigerShadow]

Well, "Thank God" can be used in vain if someone isn't actually thanking God. If they are, though, then it's a legitimate expression of thanksgiving to the Lord.

[Wakko]

That's what I meant to say. =p

[Blitz]

It is interesting. My teacher in Bible Doctrines said that the reason people use God as a swear word because it actually packs a punch. God is God which means his name matters.

[GabrielleFandomGirl]

Even slangs can be sin. God's name as a slang? Never.

God's name is holy and should never be used, even loosely, for any purpose except in the highest of reverence.

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

I believe I have caught myself breaking the 3rd Commandment and uttering the phrase "OMG" about twice in my life (they were both at a pretty dark time in my life, incidentally). However, that is obviously one of the most offensive things you can say, and I feel very much ashamed for ever saying it at all. I will admit to saying "oh my gosh" all the time though, and I personally don't really consider it a sin, because it's obvious that you're making a concerted effort to not say "OMG", or else you would just say it. That's pretty much the entire purpose of the word "gosh", and to say that they're both equally offensive is basically saying that we can use the words "God" and "gosh" interchangeably, which I don't believe we should. Still, I can sort of see how others would be offended, in the same way that people are sometimes offended by substitutes for swear words.

[Audrey]

I tend to use oh my God quite a bit, sadly, though I'm trying to stop. I do often say oh my Lorde, after the singer. xD

[HomeschoolCowgirl]

I saw a cartoon; the little kid was standing next to his dad who was sitting in a chair, and the dad says, "Heck? Heck is where you go if you don't believe in Gosh"... It's like a euphemism, which isn't much better than saying the real thing...

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

It's not like a euphenism, it is a euphenism. But tell me, what do you think the purpose of a euphenism is? Not just for God's name, but for anything. If a euphenism is "nor much better than saying the real thing", why do we have them at all? The truth is, there are people who swear, and people who don't swear. And when someone says a euphenism, their purpose is generally to distinguish themselves from people who do swear. Like, "I'm not the type of person who would say Oh my God, so I'm going to say Oh my Gosh. They may mean the same thing, but someone somewhere decided "gosh" was less offensive than "God", and we should probably abide by that definition. So, by all means, don't say Oh my gosh, but don't act like it's just as offensive as the alternative when that's the only purpose for the word: to be less offensive.

[Mr. Yorp]

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.