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 🙁

Most people who use phrases like that are, of course, referring to the God of Christianity
Only by default/long cultural habit, as you say yourself. In that context it has little if any blasphemous meaning for most people. By the same token, I'd expect a Christian to recognise the cultural significance (or lack of) of terms like 'For God's sake' and not be so offended by them.

That sound interesting YouSeeMee, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for it. Thank you.

@HunkyPunk

But "god" is a generic term for an idol etc and its common vernacular to use phrases like "for god's sake" or "good god". I think Christian's need to remember people aren't talking about their specific "God" etc.

I think that's being somewhat disingenuous! Most people who use phrases like that are, of course, referring to the God of Christianity. Church attendance and adherence to Christianity may be falling, but the UK is still largely 'culturally' Christian, in that many aspects of Christianity are woven into the fabric of ordinary life, commonly referenced and understood, by people like me who would not consider themselves particularly religious. I'd be very surprised if someone used the phrase 'for God's sake' not meaning the Christian God.

When I say "oh my god", I certainly do not have Christianity or any religious group on my mind!

I'm Irish and they're just phrases I grew up hearing and using. I don't believe in God or Jesus. I'm not out to offend the day to day Christian but I do have some strong views about the people who run Christian churches so if it offends them, it's just an added bonus.

@UhtredRagnarson

Bacon is my god and there shall be no other.

Money will buy you bacon .

@TeddingtonTrashbag

Religion is just superstition anyway - would you be offended by someone using the same term about any other fictional character eg‘Mickey F**g Mouse!’

Do you comment this on every religious thread or do you only say it to Christians?

@IntermittentParps

Most people who use phrases like that are, of course, referring to the God of Christianity Only by default/long cultural habit, as you say yourself. In that context it has little if any blasphemous meaning for most people. By the same token, I'd expect a Christian to recognise the cultural significance (or lack of) of terms like 'For God's sake' and not be so offended by them.

Yes, I agree. What I didn't agree with is the statement that phrases like 'FGS' don't refer (however distantly) to the God of Christianity!

Money will buy you bacon grin.

you have shaken my whole belief system to the core!

How interesting, I don't use the terms because I'm atheist and I presumed it was OK for religious people to say this. We joke in our house saying, "for the love of Dawkins"!

@seashells11

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??

Ah, so you are saying that anything that any religious person considers offensive should be reported.

In other words, religion should be ring-fenced from any possible criticism? Everything else can be criticised but not religion, ever?

No. This is exactly how religions and ideologies get to perpetuate human rights abuse, by shutting down discussion. Just as totalitarian regimes do.

If there is a god/God, surely he can stand up for himself?

@UhtredRagnarson

Money will buy you bacon grin.

you have shaken my whole belief system to the core!

Just think: back bacon, smoked bacon, unsmoked bacon, streaky bacon and pancetta, lardons . . . all because of money!

@Tigertalk YANBU. Haven't RTFT, but I have to say, Christians are always fair game for mocking and insulting, and it fucks me right off.

Imagine issuing the same rude and insulting comments towards Muslims? Hindus? Sikhs? Nope. Not allowed. It's a hate crime. (And quite rightly so!) Somehow it's OK to slate and mock Christians though.

The "some that will be listened to"? You mean ethnic minority groups ...

No, I mean anyone - anyone at all - who's prepared to use their own religious beliefs as a tool of control over others

Like yourself I apply this to everyone in all settings, and it's the principle that interests me (probably because I don't subscribe to any of the major religions myself)
Let's remember, too, that even within Christianity we don't have to look far to find dreadful examples of sectarian hatred, which perhaps underlines the question as to whether religion (as opposed to faith) is actually a force for good

I grew up as a Christian. My mother doesn’t even say Jesus to refer to Jesus. She would say Our Lord.

So I do find it a bit startling when people start saying Jesus all over the place. I am not sure I am offended because it is more a reflection on the person saying it than on me or Christianity.

I actually think prejudice against Christianity in the U.K. is declining. That kind of prejudice is very twenty years ago.

Because we live in a historically and culturally Christian country. Christmas is a bank holiday as is Easter. We have an established Christian church.

@seashells11

Yes I'm leaving too, not in the mood for goady comments such as "imaginary friend" etc, and also people who don't get the point that people will only ever dare insult Christians and know they'll get away with it. Anyway I'm off to enjoy the sun too.

There’s nothing goady about calling God “imaginary”. It literally is imaginary.

@SprayedWithDettol

God doesn’t necessarily mean your god. It could mean Thor for example. When I say god, it is nondenominational. 😈

Yes, and is someones Supreme Deity. But that does not seem to matter.

Why does everything have to be a comparison. Well, so and so gets away with it....bollox.

We take claims of hate crime more seriously from a minority group that has been subjected to racism. It's not the same thing. People generally don't hate white Christian people in this country.

If you have lived in other countries, what is the attitude there? I imagine in iran, anyone saying "by allah, its hot" would have their horoscope read to them pretty quick.

We have an established Christian church

Don't rub it in, Nightbear - there's a whole other thread right there

Imagine issuing the same rude and insulting comments towards Muslims? Hindus? Sikhs? Nope. Not allowed. It's a hate crime. (And quite rightly so!) Somehow it's OK to slate and mock Christians though.

Nope not rightly so no religion should beyond getting insulted.

@LibertyMole

I grew up as a Christian. My mother doesn’t even say Jesus to refer to Jesus. She would say Our Lord.

So I do find it a bit startling when people start saying Jesus all over the place. I am not sure I am offended because it is more a reflection on the person saying it than on me or Christianity.

I actually think prejudice against Christianity in the U.K. is declining. That kind of prejudice is very twenty years ago.

I don't think "prejudice" is the right word.

"Prejudice" is about discriminating against people and/or acting unfairly towards them based on ignorance.

Many folk reject Christianity because of what it is guilty of: misogyny, homophobia, widespread racism. (Am not saying those things are exclusive to Xianity, btw, obviously they aren't.) I know it's comforting to tell yourself "These people are only saying this because they are ignorant". . .but it's a deeply dishonest approach to life. Christianity has perpetuated appalling things over the course of its history, that is a FACT. (Unless you think that homophobia, witch persecutions, anti-Semitism, child abuse, etc AREN'T appalling.)

[quote littlepattilou]@Tigertalk YANBU. Haven't RTFT, but I have to say, Christians are always fair game for mocking and insulting, and it fucks me right off.

Imagine issuing the same rude and insulting comments towards Muslims? Hindus? Sikhs? Nope. Not allowed. It's a hate crime. (And quite rightly so!) Somehow it's OK to slate and mock Christians though.[/quote]
Oh don't worry, people do it all the time. Look at what happened when Nadia won GBBO.

I don’t think prejudice is based on ignorance Lemur.

I'm quite offended by religion in general and I think its a pity more people don't feel the same way. All the awful awful things done in the name of religion but yet religious People still have the neck to get up on their high horses 🙄🙄🙄