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Original poster

Call me 'sensitive', but I can't bear seeing this Acronym in a Subject line:-

136 replies

twitcher · 09/05/2005 21:12

"OMG"

It really puts me off from reading the thread. I'll be honest, I find it offensive from a Christian point of view, knowing what it stands for. I couldn't care less about FFS, arse, etc. or worse (I'm no saint and use the words myself sometimes!).

Thank you. (Preparing myself for 'you can't be serious' etc etc...)

OP posts:
KristinaM · 09/05/2005 21:43

Jan - glad you didn't lose a friend over it. Its annoying when people just cant accept that others have a different view!

Original poster
twitcher · 09/05/2005 21:45

Xena, going back toyour earlier post, it doesn't have the same effect when someone says f**k, does it? That's exactly the same as how I feel.

I'm not saying I particuarly like other swear words, and wouldn't like them said in the earshot of my child, but it just washes over me,no effect at all.

OP posts:
Xena · 09/05/2005 21:49

My Dh is an atheist and we occasionally debate religion (esp if a major world event has happened) and my best friend is also of the view that when you die thats it, she knows my views and I know hers we don't discuss them I think that twice in our 20 year friendship have we discussed religion.
I posted in this thread to agree with twitcher and to give my pov I don't pick other adults in my company up on it but I don't allow my children to swear or say OMG but that is my choice.

KristinaM · 09/05/2005 21:50

Sorry if my analogy didnt make much sense. I just meant that until recently these words were used by lots of people who really didnt mean to offend, they were just common phrases. But now that there is more awareness of racism, most people understand that some people find these words offensive and dont use them.

Maybe if people realised that some Christians find the way these words are used hurtful or offensive, they wouldnt do it any more. Just as a common courtesy.

Xena · 09/05/2005 21:54

exactly KristinaM its just about respect.
Although I have to agree with Pruni and it is very unlikely that anything would change because it is a idiom and people don't use it meaning to affend christians.

WideWebWitch · 09/05/2005 21:56

I don't find it offensive because I don't believe in god and therefore refuse to even use a capital letter, unless it's in acronym form and then I suppose I might!

Xena · 09/05/2005 21:56

My last point on the subject is that it does hit a nerve everytime its said where as swear words wash me.

wheresmyfroggy · 09/05/2005 21:57

WWW

Pruni · 09/05/2005 21:59

Message withdrawn

Xena · 09/05/2005 22:01

p.s if I didn't belive in god then I wouldn't find it offensive either

Pruni · 09/05/2005 22:04

Message withdrawn

JoolsToo · 09/05/2005 22:04

I'm less offended by the 'G' word than the 'C' or 'F' word I'm afraid and I've been sitting here thinking why and I think its because 'G' is such a nice, forgiving chap and if you do use that word its usually in the form of surprise and not in an offensive way whereas the others are imo are base language used to 'shock' and offend.

wheresmyfroggy · 09/05/2005 22:07

Well said jools

colditz · 09/05/2005 22:08

Just because someone is offended by something doesn't mean everyone else has to stop doing it. Saying "oh my god" is just an exclamation of surprise. In fact, you don't even know what god they are talking about unless they say "Oh my christian god!"

I don't find this the same as rascist language, as Christians are no more badly treated than anyone else in this country, whereas Muslims are subjected to some horrible rascist attacks.

bossykate · 09/05/2005 22:09

jt, what about when the c and f words are used in their correct context? then they are not being used to shock...

bossykate · 09/05/2005 22:10

and one could argue those words are not base language, merely part of our anglo saxon heritage, as it the s word.

wheresmyfroggy · 09/05/2005 22:10

OMG isn't on the mumsnet acronym list so maybe you should suggest they put it on as 'Oh my gosh', at least then you can Mumsnet away without fear of bieng offended by other peoples insensitivity when it comes to your religion

HappyDaddy · 09/05/2005 22:35

As a Christian, you find FFS LESS offensive than OMG? A plea to the almighty is worse than exclaiming re: fornication?

I'm gobsmacked!

HappyDaddy · 09/05/2005 22:38

KristinaM I think you'll find those words have always had the racist offensive meaning behind them. They were always used to describe non-white people derogatively. Ask a non-white person if they were less offended by ignorant people who "didn't mean to offend".

Heathcliffscathy · 09/05/2005 22:38

I don't think that I should enter this debate as my husband is sitting next to me wearing a tshirt that says Jesus is a c*%t....

and I believe in god, but don't think that words can hurt him/her!!!!!

HappyDaddy · 09/05/2005 22:39

Can I say Oh My Fcking C*t, then? If that's less offensive?

Heathcliffscathy · 09/05/2005 22:39

pmsl hd and dh too

JoolsToo · 09/05/2005 22:40

bossykate - absolutely, but we're not talking biology here

JoolsToo · 09/05/2005 22:42

I think I'm older than I thought

Willow2 · 09/05/2005 22:43

Personally, I have always found the term fanny batter deeply offensive. So I stopped buying Viz.