OMG? is this a rude thing to say?

[Timeisawastin]

Just that - the phrase 'Oh my God...'

I work as a TA with kids aged 8-10 and so many of them say this whenever they are frustrated, stroppy or feeling argumentative. I'm not religious but I certainly consider it an inappropriate phrase for children to use.

I had a chat with a couple of the girls today after one of them said it. Neither of them had any concept that this was anything other than normal, a it's a phrase used by all the family. I suggested that they might like to think of other things to say that won't sound so offensive or rude.

I fully expect that a couple of parents will complain about today's conversation if their girls repeat it.

AIBU?

I haven't read the full thread but in japan people used to say 'Oh, my God' a lot but now it seems to have changed to 'Oh, my Gah' which reminds me of an episode of that Jessica Simpson program years ago when she drove everyone crazy saying 'Oh, my Gah' all the time.

It really makes me laugh when I hear a serious Japanese businessman saying 'Oh, my Gah' but I suppose it is better than 'Oh, my God'.

I have an 11/12 year old dd RiverTam and I can imagine her saying that. Your remark about wanting to punch the girl makes you sound like a complete tool.

As an agnostic I have no problem with the term. I respect that Christians generally don't like it and that's fine, don't use it then - but don't expect everyone else to follow suit. To all Christians - your beliefs are precisely that - yours. I don't own them. I am not going to go out of my way to belittle or rubbish your faith - that would be unreasonable, but I'm not going to refrain from using a common place and - IMO - an innocuous expression either.

goodness, I didn't really want to punch her, don't be so literal! She just sounded so utterly over-the-top and ridiculous, as no doubt I did when talking teenager-speak at that age.

what is wrong with 'oh my god'?!

Seriously are we that precious as a society that such an expression with little meaning (same of Jesus) in that context should be forbidden to children?!

What about 'god forbids', or 'for god sake'?!

I don't like children saying "for god's sake" either. Not a big deal- I just prefer them not to.

It's vulgar, particularly from children.

It's also offensive, as some pp have stated here, for religious reasons.

Those posters who say 'I'm not offended, I use it all the time', I would like to ask:

Why would you continue to use a phrase that others find offensive?

Given how clued-up this site usually is about offence-causing phrases, how is this one OK?

Wow this is a new one to me, would never have thought it was a swear word and I'm a fairly strict parent and had a strict upbringing (in which yes, thinking about it, oh my god was blasphemous).

I focus on general rudeness so if said in an exasperated tone when asked to do something then they'll be in trouble, if said in excitement or as an exclamation, at something or other, I wouldn't notice at all.

Why would you continue to use a phrase that others find offensive?

I'll stop using a phrase that is offensive to "people of religion" when they stop supporting religions that I find offensive.

That's the short answer. I'm on my phone so haven't got the time for the long answer, but that sums it up really.

I find lots of things about religion really very offensive. Are you going to stop saying them?
No, thought not.

Don't like it? don't say it.

but don't tell me what I should and shouldn't say when what I say isn't aimed at you or anyone in particular, and only causes offence if you choose to find it offensive,

I find the notion that babies die for the sins of their parents (and yes, several Christians have told me this is the Christian viewpoint) offensive, but I've never told anyone not to believe or say it.

Hooray for the last few posters!There is some sanity out there!

I find people telling me I'm going to burn in hell offensive. Strangely they often seem to have a smug little smile on their face while doing so. Can we get them to stop doing that, too?

I also find it offensive that religious organisations get exemptions from anti-discrimination laws. Can we put a stop to that as well?

I have known people from a few religions and I've never reached the point where they've condemned me to hell!

I'll continue to teach my kids how to go about getting on well with people with different beliefs to themselves.

And I do have some very anti-religious opinions, it is just not helpful ime to share them with individual believers. If they were to force their views on me I would debate but I find they don't. (Well not since university days anyway and the SPUC people - and even they were the exception to the rule.)

People find OMG offensive, well, I've learnt something new today... I would have thought it would be seen as an almost entirely innocent phrase but, seems not.

I think adults should be able to say it if they want to. But if it is something that might cause offence then I think you have to make an informed decision about it. Which is why, for as long as I had that sort of control I stopped my children "blaspheming", just as I stopped them saying "shit" or "crap".

I am a Christian and find it more offensive than other swear words (but I don't swear). I have told my DC that any word can be turned into a swear word depending on the context, tone of voice and situation in which it is used. Saying God isn't offensive if you are talking about / to God but OMG is.

I have known people from a few religions and I've never reached the point where they've condemned me to hell!

It's a central tenet of Christianity - you either believe or you go to hell. I have found Jehovah's Witnesses to be quite happy to smugly remind me of that to my face.

I am a Christian and find it more offensive than other swear words (but I don't swear). I have told my DC that any word can be turned into a swear word

It must be a whole heap of fun in your house.

I would never tell my kids not to say something simply in case others are offended! I think I'd like my children to have more strength in their convictions that that. By which I mean, I don't set out to offend people and I would generally try to have good manners but people's religious hang-ups are their own issue. I find a lot of anti-abortion material offensive for example but while I disgaree with it (vehemently) I don't think it should be banned,

I say Oh My god and I will continue to say it, because it's innocuous and it's only possibly offenisve to people with (IMO) very mealy mouthed Christian convictions.

I ould refrain from saying "Christ on a fucking bike" (something my mum has told me off for) or in the memorable words of Team America "Jesus titty-f#cking Christ" because those phrases are more broadly offensive and not very polite.

"I would never tell my kids not to say something simply in case others are offended! I think I'd like my children to have more strength in their convictions that that. "

You know, I've read that several times and I still don't understand it.

I think that referring to children as kids is more offensive .
You are a TA , they are children/pupils/students not baby goats

"I think that referring to children as kids is more offensive .
You are a TA , they are children/pupils/students not baby goats"

Now that's just silly.

Oh Zwingli! Atheists With Attitude.

Objecting to using the word kids, is an attitude I have only ever seen from some people in the middle class. And it is not one I have ever understood. I have always suspected it may be more motivated by snobbery than anything else.