I wouldn't go as far as to say I was offended or anything...

[MyPetSnail]

But it really grates on me when posters on threads use 'jesus christ/oh god/jeez' as expletives.

I'm not being inflamatory when I say this, but it wouldn't be acceptable for any other main religious figure to be used in such a way, there'd be an uproar.

I have a sense of humour, and don't get offended at jokes about God/Jesus/christianity (I'm CofE) but to me this is completely different to making a joke.

If the people using it are not religious in any way, do they really think that anyone who does care about them being used as expletives, are just some kind of nutter and therefore not worthy of any respect?

[PinkyRed]

I know what you mean. Personally I don't have any problem with swearing - swearwords just reflect the taboos of the day, and since I'm not hung up about sex or my body, I don't have a problem with most English swearwords, including the c word that's been the MN buzzword recently!

As a Christian, though, I do have a problem with the Lord's name being misused. However, I realise for a lot of people it's just meaningless, and so common I don't think people even think about it any more, so I very rarely challenge people on it, on here or in RL.

[faeriefruitcake]

It's offensive but then it's hard to take a religion seriously when it's most sacred festivals are turned into a national overeating chocolate fest with the emphasis on material goods and not spirituality.

Din't notice anyone getting upset when Christianity contiunes to turn pagan dieties into their imagery for evil.

If it bothers you then challenge it and stop whining

[MyPetSnail]

faerie - The thread isn't really about things that happened over a thousand years ago, or about the ethics of christian history, perhaps you could start one yourself if you were wondering about them?

I take it by the hostility of your post that you're not very christian friendly?? just a hunch from you using the word whining

To challenge individual posters on threads, to me, just doesn't feel as acceptable as challenging a post that I thought was racist. It seems to be so widespread that I was really wondering about why there was such a lack of respect for christians, and why it isn't challenged generally like racism would be?

[TheOldestCat]

Interesting points. I don't think it's a conscious lack of respect for Christians - these expressions are used unthinkingly most of the time.

I know I say 'oh god' and so on - and I'm neither Christian or anti-Christian. Organised religion is not for me, but I try to be respectful to those who are religious. I just don't think of them as offensive, although of course I can see how they could be.

So I suspect it's not a conscious lack of respect when non-Christians use it - just a reflection of the (once largely Christian) society many of us have grown up in.

Does that make sense?

[MyPetSnail]

Cat - It does make sense, but language has been changed to show respect for lots of different groups that people didn't used to be conscious they were using.

But in law discriminating against someone because of their race or sexuality is on the same footing as religion, but why is it unacceptable to use certain words with regards to someones race, but it's OK to be disrespectful towards christians?

Even within the 'religious' group, there are still differences as to what you can say about Judaism and Islam compared to what is acceptable to say about christianity. Is it perhaps what faerie says and if everyone who did have a prob with it spoke up like they do in other religions it'd remind the people using it? Although I've got a feeling we'd be put down then for being aggressive/trying to control what people say

[LittleSilver]

Faerie, most Christians have not turned their most sacred festivals into choclate eating/material-orientated event. Some non-Christians, on the other hand, have.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I'm a Christian and I say 'oh for gods sake' a lot and blaspheme and swear a fair amount.

And I don't care if others do it. The guy in the sky is big enough to take care of himself and I think it's just a small consideration in life and we have bigger problems to be concerned about.

Sorry if you find my post offensive or blunt.

God bless

[TheOldestCat]

Good point, mypetsnail, on the unconsciously hurtful power of language. I do think this sort of expletive is slightly different though - they've actually developed out of subverting something that people had enormous respect for (when more of the population was Christian).

I don't think someone saying 'Good Lord' (unless they're talking about religion specifically and being dismissive) is being anti-religious in the same way that certain language IS racist or homophobic.

But if people are getting offended, then of course it's not good. I just wonder if people make the association. You're right - if you did tell someone that saying 'jesus' upset you, then it would help. See, this has made me think

[MyPetSnail]

Laurie, that's exactly why I don't find jokes offensive, I recon christianity is big enough and secure enough to take a bit of ribbing. Maybe it's a bit contradictory of me to be bothered about them being used as an expletive, perhaps it's cos the jokes are laughing with the person, and so are including the person?

Maybe you're right Cat, and people just don't think anyone might think it would ever be a problem to anyone. I'm just imagining the posts if I ever did say I wasn't comfortable with it...I'll have to give it a go and see, the upside of constant namechanging

[Campingqueen]

How do you know when someone says "oh my god" they are refering to your Christian God?

[Gracie123]

LOL @campingqueen. That's a good point.

I am trying to teach my son to be less concerned about what others do, and worry about his own behavior. They were teaching at sunday school that one of the 10 commandments (thou shalt not take the Lord Your God's name in vain) was about blasphemy. I strongly believe that this isn't true. If you read in relation to hundreds of other scriptures it makes a whole lot more sense if it is about ambassadorship e.g. don't tell everyone you are a christian and represent God and then act like you aren't. Taking God's name lightly is about your behavior, not what someone else says.

I do agree thou that if I shouted 'Allah that hurt!' or 'Vishnu, that's bad!' people would take great offense.

I think it's just something that as a christian you have to learn to deal. Bible says we will be persecuted for our faith, and if that's the only persecution you have to deal with you are very lucky.

[faeriefruitcake]

I'm not anti Christian I'm anti whinging. If blasphemy is as upsetting to you as racism then challenge it.

I have a friend who challenges it everytime he hears it because it is so upsetting to him.

And as for the ethics of Christian history where there any?