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

[Anonymous]

I would discourage your kid from saying it bc it sounds trashy.

[Anonymous]

I was surprised when we moved here how many kids came up to my son and asked him his religion. And when he politely told them he is an atheist, kids would tell him he would go probably go to hell and various other insults. Now that is crass. And probably a sin.

Saying OMG? Do you people get out much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was surprised when we moved here how many kids came up to my son and asked him his religion. And when he politely told them he is an atheist, kids would tell him he would go probably go to hell and various other insults. Now that is crass. And probably a sin.

Saying OMG? Do you people get out much?

Where do you live? None of my children's friends ask about religion and most do not go to church.

[Anonymous]

Saying "Oh my gawwwwd," reminds me of Valley Girl-speak where you mindlessly say "Like" before every sentence.

Remember the Extreme Home Makeover show? Without fail, almost all of the homeowners said, "Oh my GOSH!" after seeing their new homes. I often wondered if they were told not to say "God."

[Anonymous]

I was getting my haircut by my favorite hair dresser who I know is very religious and conservative (Christian, maybe born again, posts a bunch of Dr. Laura stuff on her facebook page as well). I was in the middle of saying Thank God something or other but switched it mid-stream to Thank Gosh... I don't even believe in god and thought I sounded like an idiot saying Thank Gosh...I think I saw what's her name Duggar say that once (what was I doing watching that show?!). My hair dresser probably thought I sounded like an idiot too. So what do people think of "Thank god...." as in TGIF, or Thank God you're OK, or Thank God it stopped raining?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics say "Jesus Mary Joseph" all the time.

Can anyone explain why it is okay to exclaim, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!", but not to exclaim, "Jesus!" or, "Jesus Christ"!

Question 2: Is it OK to say "oh my gosh"? If so, is it ok to say, "Oh, Bejesus!" (since it is not saying "Jesus" directly.)

I work at a large Catholic university and am surrounded by Catholics. (I am a Protestant.) I do not, in fact, believe that Catholics say this "all the time." I have never heard a Catholic utter "Jesus, Mary, Joseph." I think that one poster had some weird family quirk and happened to be Catholic. This is not a universal Catholic trait. Nor is it "OK", it would still be considered taking the Lord's name in vain by my Prod relatives.

maybe they're keeping quiet out of deference to their non-catholic co-workers. maybe it's something they use more in non-work situations.

The only "Catholics" who say this are fictional characters on TV. You know, the stereotypical Italian grandmothers and whatnot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics say "Jesus Mary Joseph" all the time.

Can anyone explain why it is okay to exclaim, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!", but not to exclaim, "Jesus!" or, "Jesus Christ"!

Question 2: Is it OK to say "oh my gosh"? If so, is it ok to say, "Oh, Bejesus!" (since it is not saying "Jesus" directly.)

I work at a large Catholic university and am surrounded by Catholics. (I am a Protestant.) I do not, in fact, believe that Catholics say this "all the time." I have never heard a Catholic utter "Jesus, Mary, Joseph." I think that one poster had some weird family quirk and happened to be Catholic. This is not a universal Catholic trait. Nor is it "OK", it would still be considered taking the Lord's name in vain by my Prod relatives.

maybe they're keeping quiet out of deference to their non-catholic co-workers. maybe it's something they use more in non-work situations.

The only "Catholics" who say this are fictional characters on TV. You know, the stereotypical Italian grandmothers and whatnot.

I thought of it as more of an Irish thing -- but in real life. I never heard it on TV. Plus, the stereotypical Italian Grandmother uses Italian expletives.

[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.

Yes, it isn't up to them to decide what is right or wrong for anyone else.

[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.

Yes, it isn't up to them to decide what is right or wrong for anyone else.

OP here. So do I let this go or do I say something to my son's school or give him advice on how to handle it better next time? I'm just really annoyed that this girl is trying to censor him because of her personal belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But why should my child censor himself for another persons religious beliefs?

Because it's a rude thing to say.

Agreed. We teach DC not to say it because we're Catholic and it's a no no (taking the Lord's name in vain) but even so, it's just not a nice thing to say. Especially coming from a child.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't matter if it's against your religious beliefs or not. A lot of people find it offensive because it is against THEIR religious beliefs, so it's best not to be offensive to others, IMO. A lot of people who are not religious themselves just consider it coarse language -- probably because they are aware of societal norms not to offend other people -- and find it offensive for that reason. Just teach your kids not to say it.

I'm having an impossible time getting one of my kids to stop saying it. It must be going around school because I have stopped saying myself. I do say "Oh JESUS CHRIST!!!" a few times a day which is just as bad....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yes, it isn't up to them to decide what is right or wrong for anyone else.

OP here. So do I let this go or do I say something to my son's school or give him advice on how to handle it better next time? I'm just really annoyed that this girl is trying to censor him because of her personal belief.

How old is your kid? These are other little kids, they aren't censoring him. Tell him different families have different rules about language. They aren't allowed to say that but he is.

This is not a big deal. This is playground conversation.

[Anonymous]

I'm not Christian and just told my daughter this morning to say, "Oh my goodness" instead, as it makes me uncomfortable to take God's name in vain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would discourage your kid from saying it bc it sounds trashy.

Only to people who have the religious stick up their backside!

OMG, get over it people.

[Anonymous]

Overly sensitive absurdist hand wringer will be upset, but if that's their threshold of upset they will have a hard time getting through life.

Get over it...