Using God/Christ in negative threads

[Tigertalk]

Hi all, I’m a long time mumsnetter but finding it hard to read constant threads (as a Christian) that use phrases starting with ‘ for G*d’s sake ( insert some nasty phrase about something) . We don’t accept racist or phobic language so why is it okay to use God, Jesus, Christ etc in these contexts? It’s really uncomfortable to read constantly 🙁

@Tigertalk

Hi all, I’m a long time mumsnetter but finding it hard to read constant threads (as a Christian) that use phrases starting with ‘ for G*d’s sake ( insert some nasty phrase about something) . We don’t accept racist or phobic language so why is it okay to use God, Jesus, Christ etc in these contexts? It’s really uncomfortable to read constantly 🙁

Get a grip.

Who cares about your imaginary friend?

@echt here’s a perfect example - my imaginary friend ?

I love churches though, at one point I seriously tried to believe because I love the peace of old churches. But I can't believe in God, it just doesn't make sense to me.

The history of Christianity and it's influence on modern culture is fascinating and it's intrinsically tied to how we live and communicate.

I might use ‘For god’s sake’, but none of the others. FFS tends to to be my common phrase. And a lot worse than that.
I’m a pagan, and if or when I chose to use FGS, how do you know whether I’m referring to your god or mine? You don’t. You can be offended all you want, but you don’t get to wag a finger at my use of language.
Considering how Christianity grafted itself into Pagan festivals, such as Easter and Christmas, perhaps I should be more offended more of the time.
However, I can’t be arsed.
I respect others’ beliefs or lack of, no value judgement attached. Christians do not have exclusive rights to the word god or God, and to attempt to police others around this is, quite frankly, arrogant, especially when comparing it to racist and homophobic language.

I am muslim and I strongly dislike it too. I use both terms, Allah and God . As God is Allah. Allah is God.

I cant stand it. I prefer for goodness sake. Or oh my goodness, oh my gosh, oh my days,oh my word. And on Dot Cottons behalf, ooh I say!

But your belief is imaginary, hence belief. Could you try to explain how this is not correct.

I'm not being goady here, I simply can't understand you don't see the difference between something you think and feel to something right in front of you, you can touch and feel.

I agree use ofweapons, Christianity as we know it is an amalgamation of what was Christianity and paganism. I often use Yule and samhain, if I was going to pick a religion I would be pagan tbh.

@Freecuthbert

So many awful atrocities committed in the name of religion and I'm really meant to care about blasphemy?

But would you dare blaspheme other religions?

Saying “the God” undermines all of the gods worshipped by people of other religions. Like your god is the only “real” god. That could be equally if not more offensive than an exclamation of “for gods sake”.

Sorry, Christians don’t own the word “God”. There have been tonnes of god/s and it’s been so ingrained into society to say things like “god damn” that I think there’s really no point getting offended.
Respecting someone’s right to belief doesn’t automatically mean respecting the belief itself. Presumably you believe people have the right to be atheists, even if you personally believe they are wrong?

I’m wondering whether the OP is actually suggesting that homophobic language is offensive in her comparison or whether she is actually trying to make a point that if non religious people can use the words God and Christ almighty and such they shouldn’t be questioning why religious people, many of whom are known to be homophobic, would use homophobic language.

If not, the difference is striking anyway.

Homosexuality/race is who someone is. They don’t choose to be black or gay, they just are.

Whereas religion is something which people choose. In that sense, it’s not real. You either believe it or you don’t. And if you don’t, then God and Christ etc is just language.

@Gladimnotcampinginthisweather

I reported someone for saying 'Christ on a bike' once because I find that really offensive. No response from Mumsnet.

Really - you reported that??

Skipped Science class did you OP...

There an almost solid line of evidence that links all religions as coming from the same source. Aliens!!!!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself (currently watching X-Files )

As for faith, it's not something I have. I have done a lot of soul searching and a lot of historical research. I still don't have any insight into faith, what it means and how you find it. In many ways I think it must be nice to have it, but my mind asks too many questions to just accept the concept.

@Tigertalk

Hi all, I’m a long time mumsnetter but finding it hard to read constant threads (as a Christian) that use phrases starting with ‘ for G*d’s sake ( insert some nasty phrase about something) . We don’t accept racist or phobic language so why is it okay to use God, Jesus, Christ etc in these contexts? It’s really uncomfortable to read constantly 🙁

See, this is why Christians have such a bad name and we all roll our eyes at this sort of fundamentalist need to take offence. They like to police everything and are so holier than thou and stifling. Different races exist, there is no proof God exists. You can't compare the two. You are comparing an actual thing with non-actual (or at least non-proven). How does that make sense? Posts like yours put people off Christianity and comes across as a fundamentalist and extremist. I know and like the Christians who aren't fundamentalist and uptight, and who say FGS etc. They're real people.

Really you reported that??

You really can't see how offensive it is?

What if it was about Allah, you don't think it would be reported?
Anything that is offensive to any religion most certainly should be reported. Why shouldn't it be. Why do you think it's ok??

@SunshineCocktails

Skipped Science class did you OP...

See why is this necessary?? This isn’t respectful and just makes me feel more alienated. I’m finding a lot of goady, insensitive and belittling comments on here , which are really unnecessary. Would you say this to me as a work colleague or to my face? Trolls. In terms of imaginary - I don’t feel when I pray , I’m praying into the air , I feel someone is listening but they aren’t on earth they are in heaven. I don’t believe because I can’t see something next to me it isn’t real. In terms of @AlternativePerspective ive never known life as a non Christian so intrinsically it’s part of me and my identity and not something I’ve actively chosen.

It's fashionable to be rude about religion

But only about some religions ... try using blasphemy about certain others, and the question "what does it matter if someone's offended?" will soon be answered

’Anything that is offensive to any religion most certainly should be reported’

Why? And who gets to decide what is offensive?

See, this is why Christians have such a bad name and we all roll our eyes at this sort of fundamentalist need to take offence. They like to police everything and are so holier than thou and stifling.

What about other religions who take offence. I'd say Christians are far more tolerant than most other religions. Does Islam not have a bad name too, especially for being offended easily,?

@seashells11
That’s very subjective. Religions can find all sorts offensive. There will be people who find others just existing as atheists/not straight/some other religion offensive.

And who gets to decide what is offensive?

If we use the same yardstick as with racism that would probably be the person who's on the receiving end, so you get "I think you're xyz - so you must be - so you are"

And religion is a protected characteristic too (which always seem questionable to me, considering it's a choice)

Why? And who gets to decide what is offensive?

People on here get offended at the most trivial of things. Obviously Mumsnet decides what is or isn't

I understand that you find it offensive OP. It's been happening in everyday life for a very long time (Queen Elizabeth I had a propensity to say God's Blood (one of the worst of its day) when particularly vexxed) and a lot started out as more appeals to God for help or intervention than blastphemy. It has worked it's way into common speech.

Sadly I think in this instance you might have to try and understand that it's not meant to be offensive and try and live with it OP.

In terms of imaginary - I don’t feel when I pray , I’m praying into the air , I feel someone is listening but they aren’t on earth they are in heaven

But you accept these are feelings, something you choose to believe. Not something cut dry there in front of you? Hence imaginary, you choose but can't expect others to adhere to it. Bit like the childhood imaginary friend, just not nice to call it that when it's about religion, I admit.

And yes I agree there are religions where no way you can say anything remotely simily without starting wars.