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 🙁

Lycra

😂😂😂

I have a new favourite saying. Thank you.

“Christ in Lycra!”

No other religion seems to get the same blasphemy.

Are you actually shitting me here? People have died under blasphemy laws in other countries around the world. Terrorism has been conducted in retaliation to blasphemy (Charlie Hebdo). We don’t have blasphemy laws in this country and neither should we. The U.K. is meant to be a progressive country, policing blasphemy would set us back about 500 years.

You absolutely cannot compare it to racism and homophobia. Those are based on hate and as such are a crime. Blasphemy against characters that may or may not exist is not a hate crime.

I kind of get it OP. I find it distasteful when I see a picture of Jesus on a birthday card, but I have to accept that not everyone feels the same respect towards him as I do. I personally would never buy one and would hope no one would buy one for me. However, I feel it’s all about respect and that comes from both sides. Unfortunately, the church and other organised religions and known to be very phobic institutions and their views and what they preach have been causing so many people who don’t fit into the ‘normal’ expectations of society far too many problems for far too long. So whilst I personally don’t like a birthday card with Jesus on on it, I really can’t judge those who do like them because I just don’t know their story.

In short - the church, whilst being something I have always known and respected, is not an institution that respects all of human kind so we can’t expect everyone to fall in line with it. I certainly can’t get offended by people who don’t show it reverence, they’re entitled to use whatever language they like. The only person I can censor is myself.

I don't like to see it either. I'm Jewish, and we have a lot of taboos over saying or writing G-d's name, like not writing it completely. Deities shouldn't be bandied about, IMHO! But then again, it is just general usage.

Christ on a bike is good though I also like Jumping Judas on a unicycle, thanks to Lorne/The Host from Angel.

@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 🙁

It's a fairly direct line from policing people's language like that, to ordering them not to depict god in a way you don't like. And we all know what happens then...

I take pleasure from the fact that Christianity is robust enough to allow blasphemy without killing people for it.

Wait....you are offended by seeing JESUS on a birthday card??

How do you cope at CHRISTMAS then?

@Zzelda

You do know that god isn't exclusive to the Christian religion, don't you, OP?

You've rather missed the entire point of Christianity, haven't you ?

@BrightYellowDaffodil

I don’t like it when people use “witch” as an insult (“She’s a right miserable witch”) because I don’t like seeing my beliefs being used like that or the perpetuation of witch as a negative. But I understand the context, that it’s just part of standard language (as is using God or Jesus) and that - with freedom of speech - I have to accept it. And I do.

If you’re waiting for a situation where you never hear anything you don’t like, you’re going to be waiting a long time. Or would you prefer we had religious blasphemy laws

I dislike witch being used as an insult for women too (and it’s always women although witches are often male).

OP, it’s a bit daft IMO to be offended by phrases which have long been in common parlance, and which in virtually every case have no religious significance whatsoever to the speaker, nor any intended slur to any religion.

God forbid (see?) that we ever turn into the sort of country where people are punished or put to death for what is seen as blasphemy.

@murbblurb

This is a UK based site and we have no blasphemy laws. Would you like us all to say 'fuck' more often instead? 'god' is a mild oath for the majority who have no belief. If your faith is so weak that it gets offended at someone else's use of a word, that is your problem.

People deserve respect. Beliefs do not.

Bang on.

Don't push your religion and beliefs on me. To me God is a fable, and for you to take offence over what I see as a social construct and an OPINION is laughable. Grow up. Alternatively, stay off MN.

After many years of belief in the existence of God and Jesus being the default position pretty much everywhere in society where I live (NI), I reserve the right to use those words as I choose now. After all, they were rammed down my throat whether I liked it or not. I'm careful in front people I know personally who are Christians and might be offended, but I'm not too bothered by the anonymous hordes of potential Christians I may or may not offend during the normal run of my life.

Hey I’m not going around getting offended all day. I don’t find many people verbally saying this stuff anyway. It’s mainly on here.
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 and no one bats an eyelid.
I just don’t see the need when there are so many other ways of expressing things. I understand, as a Christian country, certain phrases seep in and people probably don’t even realise there could be any offence taken. I’m sure people would be very careful in the use of Allah, but God, Jesus Christ etc are fair game and I just find it annoying.
Nothing will change I’m sure but I find it personally jarring to read so many posters using this and just wanted to raise it

Also,

Can you not see the ABSOLUTE FUCKING HYPOCRISY of a Christian church being upset about blasphemy when they actively persecute and encourage homophobic and racist behaviour.

I mean c’mon!!!!!!!

If it's part of your religion not to use that language, don't use it, but you don't get a divine right to police everyone else's use of it.

www.richardherring.com/coab/

I’m sure people would be very careful in the use of Allah, but God, Jesus Christ etc are fair game and I just find it annoying.
Nothing will change I’m sure but I find it personally jarring to read so many posters using this and just wanted to raise it

I don't really give a flying Allah personally.

@HoldingTheDoor

Christ on a bike is good though I also like Jumping Judas on a unicycle, thanks to Lorne/The Host from Angel.

Lorne was just a fantastic character. So tragic that Andy Hallett passed so young x

@TO12T39FRQ

Why is Christ on a bike offensive?? Why?

It's inaccurate. Obviously Christ didn't ride a bike, what would he have done with the disciples? Surely he would have had a minibus to ferry them around with him. So in future people should say Christ in a minibus.

@TO12T39FRQ - well I was talking about birthday cards, not Christmas cards and I don’t bother with Christmas cards either. Anyway, not the point and you’ve jumped on the offended wagon and got the wrong end of the stick. I never said I was offended either.

The whole point of my post was saying that what I find a bit offputting doesn’t apply to everyone and the only thing I would do is just not buy one. I’m saying that I wouldn’t start a petition asking card manufacturers not to make them. I just wouldn’t buy one.

Read the post again - you clearly didn’t understand the tone.

The carnage that religion has unleashed on everyone throughout time, even to this day, means I cannot take it seriously. Me saying 'jesus christ' is just a phrase. I don't think about religion. So, whenever you hear it, people aren't going about trying to offend the religious.
Religion offends me. But I can't do anything about it.
I suggest you find something more worthy to get offended by .. like war, homelessness, poverty. You know. Things that really matter.

@HappyHappyHippocampus

Also,

Can you not see the ABSOLUTE FUCKING HYPOCRISY of a Christian church being upset about blasphemy when they actively persecute and encourage homophobic and racist behaviour.

I mean c’mon!!!!!!!

I understand your point. I’m talking about how I feel not the church stance. I’m a Christian and believe God loves everyone and not in agreement that being homosexual would be an issue. I know the Bible shows a different context and teachings but that’s how I feel anyway.

Lorne was just a fantastic character. So tragic that Andy Hallett passed so young x

It really is, poor guy. He was my favourite character and he seems to have such a nice guy IRL too and the life of any party. I'll have to go watch my Angel dvds now.

@HappyHappyHippocampus

No other religion seems to get the same blasphemy.

Are you actually shitting me here? People have died under blasphemy laws in other countries around the world. Terrorism has been conducted in retaliation to blasphemy (Charlie Hebdo). We don’t have blasphemy laws in this country and neither should we. The U.K. is meant to be a progressive country, policing blasphemy would set us back about 500 years.

You absolutely cannot compare it to racism and homophobia. Those are based on hate and as such are a crime. Blasphemy against characters that may or may not exist is not a hate crime.

I'm on about in the UK obviously. You'd be arrested for hate speech if you changed the word Jesus for Allah in that context. If you said it on here you'd be reported and banned. No doubt at all. It's double standards.

I have never in my life seen a birthday card with Jesus on it why would Jesus be on a birthday card. Birthdays aren’t religious festivals.