Is it wrong to say, "Oh my God!"

[Anonymous]

My child came home from school yesterday and said two little girls reprimanded him for saying this when he was expressing surprise about something. They said it goes against their religion. In our religion it is fine to say that. In fact, both my husband and I have said this. Can someone tell me what these girls are talking about? Its a public school, btw.

[Anonymous]

Taking God's name in vain.

[Anonymous]

I'm not religious but I would not use that expression. "Oh my gosh" is a better alternative.

[Anonymous]

We don't say it or allow it in my house. Yes, it is taking the Lord's name in vain. I have tried to tell my little girl not to reprimand others about it, though. We are liberal Protestants FWIW.

[Anonymous]

But what does it mean to take the name of the Lord in vain. I don't understand.

[Anonymous]

I don't see it as taking the Lord's name in vain.

What if someone said "Oh, my God is an awesome God!"

or

"My God will lead a crusade against your fatwa." (Well, maybe not.)

[Anonymous]

I think it'd be wrong to say it in a temple or a church, or in front of a rabbi or priest. But just out in public, or public school? No.

Here's what those two little girls need to understand: If something is against their religion, then it's for THEM to do or not do. They don't get to try to force ANYONE ELSE to conform to THEIR religion. Best they learn this now.

[Anonymous]

Its just an expression to show great surprise. Not understanding why it should be discouraged, particularly when it is not offensive in our home or even in our faith. Its not profanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taking God's name in vain.

OMG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its just an expression to show great surprise. Not understanding why it should be discouraged, particularly when it is not offensive in our home or even in our faith. Its not profanity.

Even atheists say oh my God. Julia Sweeny uses it constantly in her comedy acts.

[Anonymous]

Saying the lords name in vain is a sin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it'd be wrong to say it in a temple or a church, or in front of a rabbi or priest. But just out in public, or public school? No.

Here's what those two little girls need to understand: If something is against their religion, then it's for THEM to do or not do. They don't get to try to force ANYONE ELSE to conform to THEIR religion. Best they learn this now.

Priests and Rabbis have pretty thick skin.

[Anonymous]

Catholics say "Jesus Mary Joseph" all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see it as taking the Lord's name in vain.

What if someone said "Oh, my God is an awesome God!"

or

"My God will lead a crusade against your fatwa." (Well, maybe not.)

Surely you see the difference between "Oh my God!" as an exclamation or figure of speech and "Oh, my God..." as the beginning of a sentence about your God.

As with everything, different people have different religious traditions. Just as many Jewish people might write G-d instead of spell it out correctly, some Christians think "Oh my God" or "Jesus Christ!" is sacrilegious. I do. There are a lot of things my children aren't allowed to say that their friends say, this is just one of them. Not a big deal to some, and not a big deal to us either, really. We just don't do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it'd be wrong to say it in a temple or a church, or in front of a rabbi or priest. But just out in public, or public school? No.

Here's what those two little girls need to understand: If something is against their religion, then it's for THEM to do or not do. They don't get to try to force ANYONE ELSE to conform to THEIR religion. Best they learn this now.

Priests and Rabbis have pretty thick skin.

I just think that's disrespectful to someone who's made God their life's work, you know?