to think that banning the use of the word "God" is a bit much?

[MiniMonty]

Need the opinions of many women and Mothers here...
The wife has suddenly stated that she is "offended" by our three kids (and me) saying "oh God" or "God in heaven" or "for God's sake" etc as she has recently become a bit God Squad and rediscovered her Christianity.

Caused a huge row over the kitchen table three nights ago and it rumbles on with wife being pretty committed to the idea that no one should be allowed to say "Oh God" or "for God's sake" etc.,

My view is that this is unreasonable (and a bit silly) and even if you take it seriously in terms of not offending peoples' religious ideas - still a bit silly.

Am I wrong?

It's been rumbling on for three days and nights now and I need something...

All and any cast iron responses to the religious bullying very much appreciated.

Odd that people complain though, when an ad is considered sexist to men.

Why is it odd?

After decades where most adverts were sexist to women....

I think if you believe in equality you criticise all stereotyping. It's not in my sons' interests to be pigeonholed.

And i do complain about sexism towards woman. Have signed page 3 petition, for instance

So portfino? It doesn't matter. Sexism is sexism. Whether its against a man or a woman. Why shouldnt either party complain if they feel they have been a victim of sexist?

Would you feel the same about racism?

You are right Jamie, of course. It gets my goat though when people are talking about sexist advertising, that they bring out the menz. Oh look - here are one or 2 examples - when advertising has used women....well since the invention of advertising. I can't catch a bus at the mo without nearly seeing Keira Knightly's tits.

Am totally atheist, but from the tone of the OP you do have a bit of condescending / mocking tone towards your DW's beliefs, e.g. "she has recently become a bit God Squad". Do you possibly use the 'God' word to wind her up?

Just stop saying 'FGS' and change it to 'FFS'. That should keep her happy.

FWIW I regularly use "Jesus Christ!" in lieu of an expletive (something to do with an Irish Catholic upbringing I guess), but tell my kids not to use that as an expletive in front of their Christian friends, or in front of strangers.

Would I feel the same about racism? As in when someone has been discriminated against for being white, british? Well that would be wrong of course, but I would not bring that up as an excuse for treating black, non british people in a lesser way. We do it to them too, so suck it up. I cannot imagine ANYONE would think that was reasonable.

You missed my point. Never mind.

I was talking about would you think it 'odd' if a white person complained of racism?

Generally - yes I would. I believe it could happen. But it is not the general rule. So it is wrong, imho, to refute an argument about sexism or racism with a rare example of where a white person, or a man was discriminated against. That is not saying it does not happen, but that equally does not make the original complaint/point invalid at all.

I'm back, just to say that i think ''the wife'' is still better than ''the missus'' or ''my bird'' which all the men round here say...

Also has no-one ever said ''me old man'' (as in husband or dad)?

Not saying i would want to be called ''the wife'' but there are worse things to get called.

On a serious note; i have known couples driven to the brink of divorce because one partner has (re)discovered religion but the other partner thinks religion is a waste of time.
Partners need to be able to respect & tolerate each other; including their beliefs or lack of beliefs.

Oh yes, & i can think of men who are good at housework & even enjoy it (my Dad, one friend's husband etc). I would want either a 'good at housework' man or an 'able to pay a cleaner' man :)

so a man complaining of sexism, and a white person complaining of racism is 'odd'? Wow.

No-one said it made the original point invalid. But people are starting to question double standards, that needs addressing.

If people are so against something happening to one group of people, they need to extend it to all groups of people. Rather that just be arsed about their own. Where's the equality in that?

Yes - people are starting to question double standards, but in the context of a whole history of sexism and abuse. So forgive me for not feeling particularly sorry for white men in the context of this discussion. They really do not need our collective MN sympathy.

You seem very bitter, I'm glad I don't harbor that. Im glad I can look for equality for everyone.

You can't blame future and current generations for past mistakes. We can work on it, educate and go forward though.

You seem very judgmental and forbidding, ghost.

I'm glad I don't harbour that.

What am I bitter about exactly? When you look for equality, what do you mean by that? That men should not be "shown up" on the tv, or were you thinking of equal pay, parental leave, flexible working, men paying for their children sort of thing....

Wow, ghostship, there's really no need to be as rude and aggressive as you have been on this thread.

Judgemental and forbidding? Hows that exactly? Because I can see what others can't? Because I'm willing to accept that its not only us women who can be victims of racism?

Equality in every sense. You obviously don't know the meaning of equality if you find it odd that a man could complain of sexism.

And rude and aggresive? Yeah sure

I've re-read my posts and there is nothing aggressive or rude about them. You just don't like what I'm saying.

SEXISM not racism (doh)

If you're seeing things other people can't, I suggest you try a doctor.

I'm fairly familiar with the meaning of equality, and never suggested a man can't complain of sexism. I know many, many, many men who complain of sexism. Not always when they're whining that women should stop this feminism lark because they want their tea and sex on tap.

Oh how funny of you, really, lets go see the doctor what exactly is your problem? Because I pointed out to another poster that men are in fact took the piss out of? How ironic.

And the equality line wasn't in response to you, actually.

You seem very bitter, I'm glad I don't harbor that. Im glad I can look for equality for everyone.

And blame it I know that sex sells. You're telling me this... Why?

Why doesn't it hold water, because you don't want it to? Is that why? Because if you accept that men are used in a similar fashion, moreso recently, it takes away from you being able to talk about us poor women being used in such a way?

three examples. you either didnt look very hard or are just immune to it.

Oh how funny of you, really, lets go see the doctor what exactly is your problem?

oh, and another one.