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Using the name of Christ as a curse word

  • 02-06-2015 11:36AM
    #1
    NaFirinne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 336 ✭✭


    Does anyone else find it disrespectful to Christians that the name of "Jesus Christ" is used as a curse word for the vast majority of our society?

    Why are so many Christians seemingly okay with the name of Jesus Christ their savior being used as a casual profanity?

    I hear people who call themselves Christian's profaning to name of Christ all the time.

    Not only that but people that call themselves atheists are constantly profaning the name of Christ.

    Why profane it if you don't believe in it?

    I can hardly watch any TV series at all without the name of Christ being profaned constantly.

    It seems to be so ingrained in society, our culture and our media.

    We refuse to believe in Christ yet we curse him constantly.

    It strikes me that Jesus Christ’s name somehow became a profane curse, a swear word used casually by numerous people

    It's weird that no other religious figures of importance get there names used by so many people every day as a swear word.

    He died over 2000 years ago, Was Jesus such a bad person that his name became an international curse word?

    Followers of Islam get right upset if someone denigrates the name of Allah or his last prophet Muhammad. People have been killed for profaning the prophet of Islam.

    I’m not suggesting Christians should start condemning to death everyone who blasphemes the name of Christ the Savior for their own use as a curse. I just find it odd that so many seem okay with it.


    I don’t expect non-Christians to be like Christians. Even if someone deliberately offends us, Jesus said we are to love our enemies, so it would be crazy to rage against someone for misusing His name — we honor His name by loving them.

    That doesn’t mean we don’t mind. Maybe the Christians who don’t seem to mind are too casual and really don’t care, but maybe they are just being patient and loving, living the way God wants them to live.

    People talk about tolerance so much, but very few are tolerant of a Christians beliefs.

    People should be respectful. It won’t make society worse if people respect others and everyone shows respect for belief in God.


Comments

  • #2
    Delirium
    Moderators Posts: 52,188 ✭✭✭✭Delirium


    Not only that but people that call themselves atheists are constantly profaning the name of Christ.

    Why profane it if you don't believe in it?

    old/bad habits die hard ;) Nothing to do with belief in Jesus.

    If you can read this, you're too close!



  • #3
    yellowlabrador
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭yellowlabrador


    I suppose we could always use by Jove. a lot curse words are linked to religion.
    you'd have to include words like bloody etc


  • #4
    frag420
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,161 ✭✭✭frag420


    Because those of us who are not christian or religious see it as just another name/word and it does not bother me to say it.

    The same way I may mutter "Ah for gods sake" but I dont believe in him.

    Besides if your faith is strong surely the words of a non believer should have no impact on you...........


  • #5
    NaFirinne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 336 ✭✭NaFirinne


    frag420 wrote: »
    Because those of us who are not christian or religious see it as just another name/word and it does not bother me to say it.

    The same way I may mutter "Ah for gods sake" but I dont believe in him.

    Besides if your faith is strong surely the words of a non believer should have no impact on you...........

    Just because it doesn't have an impact on my Faith doesn't mean I won't impacted by it.


    To be constantly cursed in society and television is quite disrespectful to Christians.

    If TV started cursing Mohamed what would happen?

    Is it just because Christians are seen as push overs, that people feel it's OK to constantly curse Jesus and God?


  • #6
    Gumbi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,682 ✭✭✭Gumbi


    NaFirinne wrote: »
    Just because it doesn't have an impact on my Faith doesn't mean I won't impacted by it.


    To be constantly cursed in society and television is quite disrespectful to Christians.

    If TV started cursing Mohamed what would happen?

    Is it just because Christians are seen as push overs, that people feel it's OK to constantly curse Jesus and God?
    No, it's because culturally it's how I raised. I imagine I would be using Mohamed's name in vain if I were born somewhere else, or something similar.

    Just like in Irish, because of its Christian roots, it's common to greet someone with "Dia dhuit" or "God be with you", and I have no problem saying it. The saying is pretty much secular nowadays.


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  • #7
    Gumbi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,682 ✭✭✭Gumbi


    NaFirinne wrote: »
    Just because it doesn't have an impact on my Faith doesn't mean I won't impacted by it.


    To be constantly cursed in society and television is quite disrespectful to Christians.

    If TV started cursing Mohamed what would happen?

    Is it just because Christians are seen as push overs, that people feel it's OK to constantly curse Jesus and God?
    No, it's because culturally it's how I raised. I imagine I would be using Mohamed's name in vain if I were born somewhere else, or something similar.

    Just like in Irish, because of its Christian roots, it's common to greet someone with "Dia dhuit" or "God be with you", and I have no problem saying it. The saying is pretty much secular nowadays.


  • #8
    steamengine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭steamengine


    Sometimes when a person is told something that surprises or shocks them, they might say anything from 'Jesus' or 'Christ' or a combination of both, right through to a highly embellished derivative such as 'Sweet Mother of Holy Divine Jesus' which accompanied by an appropriate Irish accent, sounds truly dramatic and conveys the 'gravitas' of any particular alarming situation.

    I wouldn't be too sure whether such utterances wouldn't be construed as short overt prayers rather than curses, it would depend on the frequency - used every few seconds would indicate the latter rather than the former.

    It does seem to be part of our cultural heritage though, a relatively harmless one at that. :)


  • #9
    frag420
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,161 ✭✭✭frag420


    NaFirinne wrote: »
    Just because it doesn't have an impact on my Faith doesn't mean I won't impacted by it.


    To be constantly cursed in society and television is quite disrespectful to Christians.

    If TV started cursing Mohamed what would happen?

    Is it just because Christians are seen as push overs, that people feel it's OK to constantly curse Jesus and God?

    To be told on a regular basis that I live in sin because I enjoy sex outside of marriage (lots of it and it feels awesome), I support my gay friends, support the right of a women to choose to have an abortion etc is disrespectful to me!!

    But I don't cry about it. I get on with my life as my faith in nature and my life and not some beardy guy is strong enough to let it slide.

    Personally my favorite is "sweet zombie Christ" when something shocks or surprises me!!

    Besides when Jesus returns I am sure he will mention it to us if it pisses him of............he is returning int he?


  • #10
    homer911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭homer911


    As Christians, we are a soft touch. Which is interesting given the amount of blasphemy we are tolerant to, and particularly when we are accused of being intolerant to gays!

    I always cringe when I hear God's name used in vain, and the repeated OMG OMG OMG does my head in, but the best I believe we can do as Christians is (a) ignore it and (b) set a good example (Matthew 15:11)

    I have been amazed over the years when people have noticed and commented on my lack of swearing - thats the opportunity to explain why

    It does annoy me when I hear Christians swearing - not necessarily God related, but I cant understand why they do it - I guess nobody is perfect, but I dont want to have to answer to my God that I put someone off the Christian faith by the language I used as a Christian..

    There are lots of inoffensive swear words if people feel so inclined


  • #11
    Michael OBrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭Michael OBrien


    Quite frankly, when I was a christian I did curse, and thought next to nothing of it, as all the other christians do it, along with mentioning things like "god bless" and "thank god" in almost every conversation.
    Now as an atheist, I do strive to remove such profanity from my conversation and have managed to do so pretty well. I do it both out of respect for others (even if they don't seem to care) and because I dislike being reminded of my christian past, and find it bad enough that I have to hear others use it constantly around me all day long without being the source of it myself.
    I also try to avoid other curse words too of course, even found using "frak" at times helpful (from Battlestar Galactica).
    However ever so often, when really surprised or furious, the odd curse word leaks out. Well at least I try.


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  • #12
    Geniass
    Closed Accounts Posts: 643 ✭✭✭Geniass


    NaFirinne wrote: »

    People should be respectful. It won’t make society worse if people respect others and everyone shows respect for belief in God.

    It offends me when I see the letter o in the word G_d as it reminds me of a women's most intimate part, distracting me from more spiritual thoughts. From now on only write the word G_d this way.

    Thank you.


  • #13
    Michael OBrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭Michael OBrien


    Geniass wrote: »
    It offends me when I see the letter o in the word G_d as it reminds me of a women's most intimate part, distracting me from more spiritual thoughts. From now on only write the word G_d this way.

    Thank you.

    Really? the letter 'o' leads you away from spiritual thoughts? You used the letter at least 12 times in your post. You may need to lie down after that debauchery.
    ;)


  • #14
    homer911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭homer911


    Extending the thread further, how do Christians feel about Matthew 5:34-35 in the context of swearing on a Bible (particularly as all our recent first-time/Yes voters got very alarmed at the presence of a Bible in polling stations)


  • #15
    lazybones32
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,647 ✭✭✭lazybones32


    Christ isn't his surname but is a title, like King Edward or Prince Charles. The Christ means the anointed one.

    It can be upsetting to hear people use His name so flippantly but it is being done mostly through habit, carelessness and thoughtlessness, not malice.
    Scripture is littered with prompts to bless and praise His name, so maybe whenever you hear someone using His name irreverently, you could bless His name instead. It won't stop others from disrespecting him but your Father who sees what you do in private...


  • #16
    Chloris
    Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭Chloris


    I think what it comes down to is: what some Christians may consider heinous blasphemy is regarded as utterly meaningless linguistic normalcy to people without a belief in Christian tenets. People don't say "Oh my Mohammad" because it didn't catch on here. Picking Jesus or God likely isn't intended to be a slight at any particular faith who worship them specifically. A lot of people in Ireland today are 'first-generation atheists' too, so it reflects their family heritage and the history of their country.

    If you're offended by that sort of language, I'd recommend you stay away from densely populated urban areas, or sparsely populated rural ones, or individual people in any situation. They'll probably hate you.


  • #17
    Michael OBrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭Michael OBrien


    lazybones32 wrote: »
    Christ isn't his surname but is a title, like King Edward or Prince Charles. The Christ means the anointed one.

    It can be upsetting to hear people use His name so flippantly but it is being done mostly through habit, carelessness and thoughtlessness, not malice.
    Scripture is littered with prompts to bless and praise His name, so maybe whenever you hear someone using His name irreverently, you could bless His name instead. It won't stop others from disrespecting him but your Father who sees what you do in private...

    I think that the prevalence of the words as expletives is simply the evolution of language in the culture of the times we live in. The use of "god" or "jesus" or "christ" was part of the constant use through praise and prayer, and gradually got normalised and shortened so instead of "praise be to jesus" became "jesus" and eventually got overused to include any emotive statement.

    Also there is nothing about christianity, other than its popularity, that makes it special in terms of curse words. I have heard from ex-muslims that they often still use lslamic terms without thinking years after leaving their faith.
    While misusing Muhammed might not be common (and perhaps confusing as Muhammed is one of the world's most common names outside of China), I am sure there are muslims and non muslims in heavily influenced islamic cultures that swear to allah or perhaps to related angels names too, and in Hindu cultures I am sure it goes on for their gods too.
    There is very little thought behind such utterances, it is more like muscle memory, using words so common that the brain utilises them in certain circumstances without any reflection at all.


  • #18
    Terrlock
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 692 ✭✭✭Terrlock


    I reckon there is more behind blaspheming Christ then is let on.

    if you take all the TV series and movies that blaspheme his name.

    Nothing is written into a script that is not intentional and there is a huge amount of shows that you can see are deliberating using it to mock the christian beliefs and to mock Christ and God.

    Sure it's ingrained in everyone minds and I get that in most people they don't even notice or take any meaning from it.

    However the media are playing a big part in keeping it a large part of our language in the Western World.


    How many movies that have come out in the last while, especially the super hero movies that just take stories from the bible, twist them around often reversing the real meaning, and use it as the plot. I reckon most people probably don't even see that.


  • #19
    efb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 35,514 ✭✭✭✭efb


    Wasn't his name Joshua?


  • #20
    Delirium
    Moderators Posts: 52,188 ✭✭✭✭Delirium


    MOD NOTE

    Moved the movie talk to a thread of its own :)

    Link

    If you can read this, you're too close!



  • #21
    Nick Park
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭Nick Park


    It's pretty pointless for Christians to get worked up over blasphemy. The very reason that Jesus came to earth was so that an act of blasphemy would take place. You can't get any more blasphemous than spitting in God's face and then nailing Him to a cross. Compared to that, any cartoon or use of His name as a curse word is a minor matter.

    The heart of the Christian Gospel is that God the Son took our place as a despised and rejected 'criminal'. That has profound implications for how we should respond to blasphemy.

    Other religions might feel it is appropriate to get angry, or even violent, to uphold the honour and dignity of their gods. For Christians, however, the only appropriate response to blasphemy is to love and forgive the blasphemers, and if necessary to allow ourselves to be similarly despised.


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  • #22
    homer911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭homer911


    Nick Park wrote: »
    It's pretty pointless for Christians to get worked up over blasphemy. The very reason that Jesus came to earth was so that an act of blasphemy would take place. You can't get any more blasphemous than spitting in God's face and then nailing Him to a cross. Compared to that, any cartoon or use of His name as a curse word is a minor matter.

    The heart of the Christian Gospel is that God the Son took our place as a despised and rejected 'criminal'. That has profound implications for how we should respond to blasphemy.

    Other religions might feel it is appropriate to get angry, or even violent, to uphold the honour and dignity of their gods. For Christians, however, the only appropriate response to blasphemy is to love and forgive the blasphemers, and if necessary to allow ourselves to be similarly despised.
    What about the Christian response to Christian blasphemers Nick? surely we have not just a right, but a responsibility to remind them of 2 Timothy 3:16, James 5:12, Matthew 5:34, Matthew 15:11 ..


  • #23
    Nick Park
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭Nick Park


    homer911 wrote: »
    What about the Christian response to Christian blasphemers Nick? surely we have not just a right, but a responsibility to remind them of 2 Timothy 3:16, James 5:12, Matthew 5:34, Matthew 15:11 ..

    When 'Christians' use the name of Jesus as a curse word then that should be a pretty clear indication that their 'Christianity' is more of a cultural affinity than a relationship.

    If we genuinely love someone and enjoy a meaningful relationship with them, then using their name as a curse word would be pretty unthinkable, wouldn't it?

    I love my wife (just as well since we've been married for 29 years). I wouldn't dream of using her name as a swear word. If I hit my thumb with a hammer and shouted, "Ah for Janice's sake!" then that would be hurtful and disrespectful to her. The same goes for using the name of Jesus.


  • #24
    homer911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭homer911


    Nick Park wrote: »
    When 'Christians' use the name of Jesus as a curse word then that should be a pretty clear indication that their 'Christianity' is more of a cultural affinity than a relationship.

    If we genuinely love someone and enjoy a meaningful relationship with them, then using their name as a curse word would be pretty unthinkable, wouldn't it?

    I love my wife (just as well since we've been married for 29 years). I wouldn't dream of using her name as a swear word. If I hit my thumb with a hammer and shouted, "Ah for Janice's sake!" then that would be hurtful and disrespectful to her. The same goes for using the name of Jesus.

    That was Christians with a capital C, and yes, I've sadly heard it happen on more than one occasion..


  • #25
    Darpa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭Darpa


    It's just bad habit combined with lack of vocabulary and a desire to dramatise.


  • #26
    frag420
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,161 ✭✭✭frag420


    Darpa wrote: »
    It's just a bad habit combined with lack of vocabulary and a desire to dramatise.

    Fixed your post...........


  • #27
    TomBtheGoat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 321 ✭✭TomBtheGoat


    frag420 wrote: »
    Besides if your faith is strong surely the words of a non believer should have no impact on you...........

    I don't think the issue is the strength of one's faith. But rather the offense a believer takes from its widespread use.


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