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 🙁

@speakout

I know several christians who say " Oh jesus" or "oh god" regularly.

Shouldn;t christians be trying to get their own house in order before trying to police the words of atheists.
After all us heathens have much lower standards and morals anyway.

You are right.....it's one of the ten commandments, so Christians should try not to blaspheme

stackemhigh

If you truly think OP was genuinely concerned about Flowers500’s state of mind - crack on.

The rest of us saw it for the mealie mouthed passive aggressive shite that it was.

Obviously many people have had bad experiences when it comes to religion and the church.

However there are some comments on the thread which accuse people of being responsible for the behaviour of the church, 'you did this for hundreds of years' as if anyone here has been alive that long.

@SoapboxFox

Obviously many people have had bad experiences when it comes to religion and the church.

However there are some comments on the thread which accuse people of being responsible for the behaviour of the church, 'you did this for hundreds of years' as if anyone here has been alive that long.

And can you imagine them using similar expressions about another religion. As if.

@sharksarecool

A few weeks ago there was a thread about the teacher who showed the offensive Mohammed cartoon. Lots of posters were of the opinion that, whilst it is should never be against the law to insult Mohammed, it is pretty insensitive to do it in front of Muslims since you know it causes great offense. I dont understand why the same thing doesn't apply to Christians.

I think the OP could have maybe worded her post differently, because some people have interpreted as Christians telling people what they can and can't say. What I think the OP was actually intending is point out that using the name of Jesus as a swear word is upsetting and offensive to people who are Christian.

Obviously we have the right to freedom of speech, but we often curtail that to avoid offending people we care about. I have bit of a potty mouth generally, but I would never swear in front of my granny because I know it would upset her. I think the same applies to blasphemy: if you wouldn't knowingly misuse the name of Mohammed or Allah in front if a Muslim then you shouldn't misuse the name of Jesus Christ in front of a Christian.

Obviously you don't know the OP personally, but if you DO know people in RL who are Christian, and if you respect them and care about their feelings, be aware that they will probably find it upsetting if you use casual blasphemy in front of them. And do with that knowledge as you see fit.

Exactly!

Shouldn;t christians be trying to get their own house in order before trying to police the words of atheists.

I think the op was speaking for herself. And in terms of blasphemy, it sounds like that part of her ‘house’ is in order. I don’t think she aimed her post specifically at Atheists either.

Some Christians will say ‘oh God’ and ‘OMG’ and some won’t. Like some posters have pointed out, it’s part of language that we’re immersed in. Christians are not one person - it’s a wide ranging community with an enormous number of varied beliefs - just because one Christian told you something, doesn’t mean all Christians stand by it.

I don’t think the op can request others not to use language or compare it to racism or homophobia, but I can’t see an issue with her expressing her feelings about it.

@HypocriteHunter

stackemhigh

If you truly think OP was genuinely concerned about Flowers500’s state of mind - crack on.

The rest of us saw it for the mealie mouthed passive aggressive shite that it was.

Crack on with what? What you on about?

With all the 'goddamns' and 'JFC's flying around, people do seem very angry on this thread. OP was very measured in her posts.

That particular post wasn’t measured. As well you know.

Those of us who don’t button up the back could see it for what it was.

No anger here either thank you.

I was comparing it to racism and homophobia to just make a point that it isn’t tolerated, yet @HoneyDragon can just write cnting apostles or Jesus f* Christ

But racist and homophobic expressions are indicative of people's antipathy towards real, living people who belong to those groups. That's why it's so offensive: it's to do with those people's right to equal and fair treatment. Ditto misogyistic language.

To those of us who are atheist or agnostic (which I think is now the majority of people in the UK), believing in the existence of a deity is about as sensible as believing in the tooth fairy and Jesus is little more than a historical figure from millennia ago. Therefore using their names as expressions of shock, anger or to give emphasis is pretty meaningless to most of us.

And it's not as though we blasphemers are trying to force Christians into joining us in a blasphemy party.

I very much resent those who have religious faith trying to control the behaviour of atheists and agnostics on religious grounds when it's not doing any actual harm to anyone.

I very much resent those who have religious faith trying to control the behaviour of atheists and agnostics on religious grounds when it's not doing any actual harm to anyone.

Exactly.

I uphold the right on someone to tell me that the fairies in my garden are ugly.

That particular post wasn’t measured.

It was sarcastic but it wasn’t offensive. This is aibu and generally things get a bit heated.

I know flipflops

But some are trying to say it wasn’t meant how it clearly was meant.

No one said it was offensive (to the best of my knowledge) but snidey and passive aggressive. Which it was. Sarky too if you will.

But not a post of concern.

And by Jove this thread is bloody tame compared to some aibu threads over the years.

Yep, the response was fairly dramatic! The actual direct response was this

Unlike you I’m able to walk down a street without feeling my imaginary friend is being assaulted. So thanks for the passive agressive sympathy of a racism and homophobia denier, means a lot dear

Far more OTT and aggressive.

However there are some comments on the thread which accuse people of being responsible for the behaviour of the church, 'you did this for hundreds of years' as if anyone here has been alive that long

Are you unable to comprehend that the "you" is a not specifically a poster, but a general you, as in your church and its history? If you are, you really shouldn't be in grown up conversations.

The christian church inserted itself into all aspects of our language and culture long ago, and don't have any right now to control how the rest of us use the words they made us use. You can't even say Goodbye without referencing their religion.
Your church made this bed, you need to lie in it without whining.

@Tigertalk

But God isn’t imaginary to a lot of people *@SofiaMichelle*

Only because you choose to believe that in that God exists, despite the absence of any compelling evidence.

To a rationalist, that's less credible than my MIL's belief that the moon landings were fake.

Well said, PaperbackRider.

And frankly that is a fair response to the OP.

Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it because there will always be someone who will give it back.

I’m as open to discussion as the next person but OP was passive aggressive and rightly got called on it by others. And got a response in kind from the person she poked.

Fair doos I say.

Are you unable to comprehend that the "you" is a not specifically a poster, but a general you, as in your church and its history? If you are, you really shouldn't be in grown up conversations.

Of course, but aren't you able to comprehend that either way it's inaccurate, reductionist and pointless? There's far too much glib assumption that Christians are all part of the Catholic or CofE churches, when there are plenty of non-conformist churches too, from Baptist to Salvation Army. And of those who do belong to the Catholic or CofE churches, it's pretty bigoted to assume everyone condones everything the institutions have ever done - it is no better than saying all (insert another major religion) are (insert horrendous criminal type). for example. It lumps all Christians into an amorphous blob who unquestioningly support the institution labelled 'the Church', and that is ignorant and illogical. Being a Christian is about Christ, hence Christian not 'Churchian'. Maybe it's you who shouldn't take part in grown-up conversations.

don't have any right now to control how the rest of us use the words they made us use.

I said the same much earlier in the thread, so no need for the patronising lecture.

Your church made this bed, you need to lie in it without whining

You have no idea whether there's a church I consider to be 'my church'. You're wasting your time by throwing your bitterness where it doesn't apply.

Well said @SoapboxFox

I don't have any bitterness, and you haven't a notion what you are talking about.
Salvation Army, ffs, do you think they existed in the time frame mentioned, when christians actually controlled the english language (as well as pretty much everything else, in what is now called western society)? Again, sit down if you don't understand the topic.

it's pretty bigoted to assume everyone condones everything the institutions have ever done

I don't think people are assuming that; they're referring to the institution of the church and its cultural influence.

@PaperbackRider

I don't have any bitterness, and you haven't a notion what you are talking about. Salvation Army, ffs, do you think they existed in the time frame mentioned, when christians actually controlled the english language (as well as pretty much everything else, in what is now called western society)? Again, sit down if you don't understand the topic.

Do you just go around on every thread telling people they don't know what they're talking about but offering no facts yourself?

I think it's you who needs to sit down.

Did you not bother to read past that point? OR are you just whining #notallchristians some more?

Be offended. Why should anyone care if you are?

I'm not Christian and I'm not offended.

I'm just amused at your spewing shit.