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Original poster

Boss told me off for exclaiming Jesus Christ

614 replies

GloMum · 08/02/2025 14:55

The other day my boss told me off for exclaiming Jesus Christ when I was surprised during a work meeting. Boss told me it’s rude towards people from different religions and asked me if I’d done my DEI training. I have, and I enjoy friendships with colleagues from varied backgrounds. I feel really stressed now in case I slip again, and embarrassed I should be told off.

YABU - This is an inappropriate exclamation at work
YANBU - It’s just an exclamation and you shouldn’t be told off for that.

OP posts:
KezzaMucklowe · 08/02/2025 15:27

It's the sort of thing I'd blurt out without thinking.
It can offend some people so I'd just try not to do it in future but would be mildly amused at the same time.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 08/02/2025 15:27

'Jeez-o' on two doors down .

I'm sorry i haven't travelled much (planning to change that this year) but I'm sure that saying 'jesus christ' is very cultural

Gwenhwyfar · 08/02/2025 15:26

fluffiphlox · 08/02/2025 15:06

I am not a believer I do think that it’s inappropriate for the workplace, as is swearing generally. (I swear but not in a work context).

It's not swearing though.

AnotherDayAnotherIdea · 08/02/2025 15:26

I am a teacher and an 8 year old exclaimed it. I asked him not to. He said he was saying it because he doesn't believe in jesus. I told him I don't go around exclaiming "the abominable snowman!"

Yabu. Find something better to say.

Gwenhwyfar · 08/02/2025 15:26

Panicmode1 · 08/02/2025 15:00

I don't think it is very professional to use such an exclamation at work, and some Christians would take offence, yes.

(I am Christian and don't like it when my husband/children use it)

But so what if you don't like it? Why do you get to impose that on others?
If someone is not themselves religious, why would they be bothered about a blasphemous expression?

shiningstar2 · 08/02/2025 15:26

I would not use this expression because I choose to give Christians the same level of courtesy and consideration that I give to other religions I encounter at work and elsewhere. I wouldn't use the name of Allah in a way which would be offensive to Muslims so why would I think it ok to use the words Jesus Christ in a way that might be offensive to some Christians.

theduchessofspork · 08/02/2025 15:25

ZoeCM · 08/02/2025 15:24

Is this a wind-up? If you were a Christian, surely you wouldn't "take the Lord's name in vain"?

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Have you ever met any Irish people?

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 08/02/2025 15:25

IntoTheArk · 08/02/2025 15:24

Good point, this was in Ireland! 😅

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And in Line of Duty, Adrian Dunbar says 'jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey' which made me chuckle 😄🤭

JLou08 · 08/02/2025 15:25

Pigsinblankets13 · 08/02/2025 15:02

Ridiculous - people are going to stop saying anything at all in the workplace soon for fear of offending...can't say anything these days!!

It's nothing to do with "these days" I'd say it was less acceptable in the past.

waltzingparrot · 08/02/2025 15:25

If you feel 'J' coming to the surface, try and shorten it to Jeez and at least your boss will see you are trying to adapt.

theduchessofspork · 08/02/2025 15:25

Forget about it.

If you slip again, it’s not a huge deal.

AInightingale · 08/02/2025 15:25

I did that once when i dropped an enormous file on my foot. My colleagues found it funny, even the religious ones. Your boss needs to get over himself.

IntoTheArk · 08/02/2025 15:24

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 08/02/2025 15:24

I'm sure I've heard the nun on derry girls say it as well

Is it maybe a cultural thing because, come to think of it, I've only ever heard a few Irish people say it (in the sexiest accent ever 🤭🤭)

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Good point, this was in Ireland! 😅

ZoeCM · 08/02/2025 15:24

GloMum · 08/02/2025 14:58

Boss is not Christian, I am.

Is this a wind-up? If you were a Christian, surely you wouldn't "take the Lord's name in vain"?

Hiccupsandteacups · 08/02/2025 15:24

It’s not the right language to use in front of others. In your own home if you must.

i find it offensive

FridayForever · 08/02/2025 15:24

If you love Jesus, then someone using his name as a swear word is pretty offensive, as it would be it I exclaimed your mum's name when shocked or whatever. Obviously you didn't intend to offend anyone, and I wouldn't have said anything had I been there, but I would much prefer it if people didn't do this.

Then again, I'm sure there's lots I do that others don't like either. And I don't use anyone's mum's name as a swear word.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 08/02/2025 15:24

IntoTheArk · 08/02/2025 15:10

When we were at church a few years back I went to the back to talk to the priest about a christening for our newborn after the service. When my other DC (2) ran to a cupboard and opened it, the priest exclaimed "JESUS CHRIST" at the top of his voice, so personally I think anyone getting offended by it is just looking for things, but I'd still try to avoid saying it because people are so easily offended these days, especially on behalf of others.

Edited

I'm sure I've heard the nun on derry girls say it as well

Is it maybe a cultural thing because, come to think of it, I've only ever heard a few Irish people say it (in the sexiest accent ever 🤭🤭)

JLou08 · 08/02/2025 15:23

I thought it was pretty common knowledge that using the names Jesus or God in this way was offensive. It wasn't allowed when I was at school and it wasn't a faith school either.

BCBird · 08/02/2025 15:23

I am not religious but would pull someone up about this. Work on a school, if kids say oh GOD or anything else that is blasphemous I tell em off

stichguru · 08/02/2025 15:22

Yes it's offensive to at least some Christians. Also to be honest, the attitude of swearing is wrong in the workplace, regardless of the words. Even if you went "oh kittens", everyone knows you're swearing and you shouldn't be doing that at work.

Gorgeousfeet · 08/02/2025 15:21

My child attended a wonderful C of E school with a strong Christian ethos

On of the year five children said this same thing very loudly whilst entering their local church for a service. Rightly so, he was scolded by his class teacher.

I think it’s appalling to use it and find it offensive. Children even more so.

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 08/02/2025 15:21

I actually had to check I was definitely in AIBU and I hadn't slipped over to the dark side of Mumsnet (or would it be the light side?) Anyway, I think in the grand scheme of things it's really not a big deal. However it does seem there's a good bit of pearl clutching going on in this thread so maybe I'm wrong.

It's just as well the pearl clutchers don't work with me 😂 Jesus Christ would be the least of their worries.

Sneezeless · 08/02/2025 15:20

Try "By Jupiter's cock", next time.

Rizzla · 08/02/2025 15:18

HipMax · 08/02/2025 15:15

It's really not a big deal. It's not like Christians follow the bible much (thank God!)

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It’s important whether you believe so or not, and thankfully there are many Christians who take the Bible seriously.

Gorgeousfeet · 08/02/2025 15:17

Foxgloverr · 08/02/2025 15:03

It's weird how the rules are different for Christians vs other religions. You wouldn't be asking this if you'd shouted the Islamic God's name.

Yep

Exactly this.