Boss told me off for exclaiming Jesus Christ

Exactly. I grew up with devout Catholics and “oh my god” “fucking hell” “Jesus Christ” etc are common place in my life (perhaps b wise I don’t have a stick up my arse?). Can’t be doing with grown ups offended by swear words

Except it's not. And who's to say it's in vain?

Do people not understand how these expressions came about?

Porca miseria!

The Italians love a good blaspheme.

It's so funny that it's people from a very secular country get so offended by religious exclamations. They're incredibly common and not offensive in a more religious countries.

its the year 2025 not 1025 and personally I don’t believe in policing words and whilst some people might find it offensive, it is a commonly used exclamation these days. I don’t even think people think of the religious connotations when saying it.

i understand if someone was religious and they would choose not to use it themselves. That is an absolutely fine position to take- I do object to being told myself what I can and cannot say.

OK, but your post very much sounded like you were saying that, because your priest said it, it shouldn't be a big deal - I don't get why you mentioned the priest otherwise - but apologies if I misconstrued.

No, I don't ever say 'bloody' as a swear word - only if referring to something literally covered in or involving blood. I'm not a Catholic, but I wouldn't choose to needlessly offend anybody in earshot with a choice of expression - even if I were otherwise given to using that word - just as I wouldn't invoke the name of somebody else's God or Prophet to express disgust, shock or other negativity, when there are so many other non-offensive words available.

Well if you are a Christian you'll know that taking the Lord's name in vain is a no-no.

@Gwenhwyfar they are worse. But worse still would be something like the N word. Or the R word.

In my house, 'stupid' directed at someone else is worse than 'fuck'. One is meant to belittle someone and one isn't. Swearing at is worse than general swearing.

I’m from an Italian family and some of these lot would probably pass out at the profanities and gesticulation used by Italians (many a family meal I’ve nearly had my eye poked out 🤣)

It’s not an offensive swear word and most Christians would say it themselves. But it’s not really appropriate in a work meeting context. Why do you need to be exclaiming? Or at worst what’s wrong with ‘oh wow’.

Christ some of you lot sound alike a total fucking nightmare took with. What total miserable fun sponges you are, getting all sensitive about ’swears’. Unless you’re a 5 year old girl you need get a thicker skin.

Signed
A Lapsed Catholic

Yes, f words and the c word is worse. (I'll be criticised for not writing them out now).

Is everyone complaining about Italians exclaiming "Madonna!!" and madre dio?

You'd die if you knew how many people say porco dio or poto di Christo....😂😂😂

The "Islamic" God is the same God as the Christian and Jewish one.
It's the same guy 🙄

In countries where Islam/Hinduism/Sikhism/etc are either the majority religion or have had significant influence, there absolutely are phrases derived from religion that are used sarcastically, or to express frustration.

My home country isn’t Islamic, but it was part of the Ottoman Empire, and ‘Mashallah’ is still part of the vernacular.

If you were a Christian, surely you wouldn't "take the Lord's name in vain"?

Do people seriously think atheists invented blasphemy? Seriously? It is very very clearly Christians who started taking the Lord's name in vain. And early on otherwise they wouldn't have needed a commandment. I mean #3 isn't "don't stick a fish up your nose into your brain" because no one did it. You only need a commandment if people are already doing it.

I say, "sweet baby Jebus" a lot. Including at work. But then my boss doesn't care when I say "fuck" either.

Why is that other people's problem though?

I’m an atheist and I would find it inappropriate but for obvious reasons it wouldn’t offend me .

Does he though? Why?

I’m not religious and say it a lot myself, though not in a meeting. I would be self aware enough to know it’s not appropriate to bandy it about regardless of the company you're keeping (lapsed Catholic so something I was brought up not to say).

It may be a fairly common expletive but it's not right for a work meeting. It's also jarring on here especially when paired with f or other swear words.

Some religions more than others.

You would have died of shock at my Catholic boarding school. Every second phrase was 'Jesus fucking Christ'.

People are much more easily offended these days. I'm glad to no longer be working as I'd be told off every day! 🤐

I think some awareness of the context might be useful. If it's a meeting with clients, exclaiming any words ('blasphemous' or otherwise) in a shocked or angry way may be inappropriate, but at your desk or in a meeting with people you know is another matter, and shouldn't lead to a telling off IMO.

I do love the expression 'Christ on a Bike' - very satisfying 😂.

I wouldn't be offended, but I would think you were unprofessional.

Just say "fucking hell" in the next meeting then ask him if that's better.

Or ask him why Christians get to impose their religious beliefs on others.

No one has the right not to be offended.