blaspheming as an exclamation

[springydaffs]

I don't often, or normally, pick people up on this but I was with a dear friend last night and she repeatedly exclaimed JESUS! JESUS H!! or JESUS H CHRIST! during our convo and I was a bit astonished tbh. She knows I'm a christian and she is a dear soul - I don't think she realises she's doing it.

I don't want to be a priss but I don't like it! She was in full throttle and I didn't want to embarrass her... but didn't know how to say it without shaming her. Or whatever.

Any ideas?

It's difficult isn't it. What I would say would depend on the circumstances. If I was with the DCs I would ask someone not to say that in front of the kids. If I was in my own house I'd get a bit irritated after a while and would possibly say something if the person was a frequent visitor. If I was out in a social situation I probably wouldn't say anything at all.

I would much rather she said fuck tbh. Perhaps I should say that? "dear friend, I would much rather you said fuck/whatever than that, it just makes me uncomfortable" Is that too simpering? It actually hurts my feelings, being as I love him and all that. I get it that people don't love him but it still hurts my feelings. I don't want to be saying 'sweetie, that hurts my feelings' (what a number!). Perhaps I could do a visible wince ? again, number; even though I inwardly wince.

Somebody give me a script!

If she's a dear friend I would say something, particularly if she makes a habit of it, rather than it being a one-off.

Say what though?

I am not a christian: does she have children? I just imagined someone using my son's name as an exclamation when they were cross. At first it made me giggle as it seemed so ridiculous, but then I thought seriously about it and it actually made me wince.

This is a naive non believer question: can Jesus hear what is being said?

I would say, "sorry, this may seem daft to you, but I love Jesus and it makes me wince when you use his name like that. Would it be possible for you to say something like fuck instead?"

erm well yes, I would say that erm yes, Jesus can hear what is being said LOL. But that's not the point is it? If your son couldn't hear his name being used an an expletive, you'd still wince. I don't have an issue with it from a religious pov, I tend to think that Jesus is more concerned with peoples' hearts tbh, so I don't eg have an issue with his name being used inappropriately in that way (the commandment about the Lord's name in vain is, imo, more about using God's name for something that clearly doesn't represent God eg religious terrorism, sexually preditory priests etc). My friend is a lovely person with a lovely heart, I just think she uses this phrase out of habit, not really realising what she is saying. I know that if I said something she would be horrified. However, I've had so many experiences of people going a bit weird when they realise/know I am a christian, they get all kind of religious about it.

I just loved your suggestion skewiff - made me laugh out loud, imagining earnestly saying it. Thank you for putting yourself in my shoes.

I smile and say "it's not His fault"

I can't abide it.
I just cringe inside and say nothing though

Just ignore it. It's not as if jesus ever existed.

I would probably say something like "please don't say that, I find it slightly offensive. I don't have problem with other words like.... (except in front of my children)"

And actually Jesus DID exist, JustRedbin, there's probably more evidence for his existence then any other historical figure at that time. What is in dispute is WHO he was/is!

What do you mean they get all religious about it - when finding out that you're a Christian? I wonder if I ever do this with my religious friends.

Thank you for explaining about Jesus. I would still wince if my son wasn't in ear shot.

I have no idea about religion/christianity, that's why I was asking you the question. I would really love to have a belief in something more than just the here and now. However I can't get my head around all the bible stories at all. My mind will just not make them real. They remain firmly just stories to me.

I don't mean this offensively at all to anyone. And I think its very rude to say 'Just ignore it. It's not as if jesus ever existed'.

None of us know anything. So just as you can't prove that Jesus exists/existed - you can't disprove it either.

You know that fawlty towers episode where there is a psychiatrist staying at the hotel, and Basil gets paranoid? That's what I mean about people go all religious when they know or find out I'm a christian ie they can become self-conscious, think I'm religious, they mind their ps & qs, thinking I'm a priss, or judgemental etc - basically, a whole heap of 'religious' assumptions and judgements/projections. I'm not a fan of religion, personally. I know it sounds like i'm splitting hairs re christianity is called a 'religion' but in it's purest sense, religion (rules) is the opposite of relationship; and the God of the bible labours the point that it is relationship he wants, not religion. I would also say that if you genuinely would like to know if there is something out there, cut to the chase and ask. God, that is. If you're sincere, he'll answer; if he's not there, he won't. If he answers (excuse me using the male gender there) it probably won't be kaboom LOL (though sometimes it is, but not often!). You could then start reading bits of the bible - you don't have to get heavy about it. I don't think you, or anyone, can make it come alive though; you can't really get it by trying, it's God's job to show what it means (relationship again). Trying to get it is like trying to make yourself love somebody - you can't, though you can be open to it. the Alpha course is also very good (and non-threatening) at explaining what christianity is about if you're interested - it's a series of DVDs by a lovely man called Nicky Gumbel (very easy to listen to) who explains the basics of christianity; then there's a discussion afterwards, or you can leave if you want. imo most people don't really know what christianity is actually about tbh, even though we are historically a christian country. People think christianity is about religion, doing this and that, keeping rules being weird but it isn't (imo). Some of the history of the christian church is also appalling, which puts people off - religion again (nothing to do with God).

I've been going to start a very similar thread.
I'm an atheist, but I teach my children not to use God or Jesus as expletives because I have friends, who like the OP really don't like it.
However, I open my copy of the New Scientist to see an add for anti virus software with O.M.G. In huge letters across the top, this phrase has also been used as a TV programme name I believe.
Even to someone who has no faith what so ever this seems a bit much.

thanks OP for that insight into 'taking the Lords name in vain'- is that a widely held view?- it does make sense
re the casual blasphemy, I am a humanist, but try to avoid it around people I know are religious, because I understand it's offensive (would a slightly exaggerated wince do the trick) but for people who are not religious, 'God!' is a mild exclamation and less offensive than other possibilities. But I do think 'Jesus H Christ' is quite elaborate....more obviously offensive