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Original poster

The name of Jesus used in vain .....

77 replies

jaabaar · 17/12/2013 20:24

I am a catholic and try not to use the name of God and Jesus in vain.

My 4year old DD has started saying "Jesus" when she gets annoyed with something. When I asked her where did she he hear and learn this she told the name of a practitioner at nursery.

Am I being unreasonable to be upset about this?
Everything has to be so politically correct however in front of children in a school setting I didn't expect this kind of language.

Please put me into place if I'm over the top. I'm not going to complain to nursery or anything, just being annoyed about it.

OP posts:
TheSydenhamSet · 17/12/2013 20:28

I don't think you're being OTT, In face the opposite. That is offensive and it is recognised as offensive, even in our secularised culture. I would consider raising it personally, I'd be horrified if my children repeated that (we are a Christian family)

Abra1d · 17/12/2013 20:32

It can be offensive. If you are sensitive about this kind of thing, you will need to watch out on MN, where threads starting Jesus F..k..g etc are not uncommon--and will not be removed because they don't delete for blasphemy. (Except they probably would, if it were a non-Christian deity.)

headinhands · 17/12/2013 20:51

I'm an atheist who works in education and would never say Jesus or anything even slightly offensive in front of the children. I've never heard any of the other staff say anything slightly offensive either.

Wolfiefan · 17/12/2013 20:54

I might not explain but I would tell nursery she has said it at home, explain why you don't want her to say it and ask them to remind her not to say it if she does. (And I'd be sure to say all this to the person who taught it to her!!)

EdithWeston · 17/12/2013 20:57

There are many who find it offensive (together with 'OMG'), and I think it has no place in a diverse society.

Original poster
jaabaar · 17/12/2013 21:09

I do understand that people say OMG, Jesus etc. however what upsets me is that it is said in a school setting in front of my daughter.

I'm also not offended if it is used on mumsnet etc, but really I do not want it said in an educational environment where you are placed as a teacher, rolemodel.

Wolfiefan: that is a very good and peaceful idea! I will do that.

Thank you for all your comments!

OP posts:
BunnyLebowski · 17/12/2013 21:12

I think finding a name offensive is OTT. It's only a name.

I used to get hit for saying Jesus Christ as a child.

Which was worse,me saying it or my catholic parent hitting me for it? Hmm

sonlypuppyfat · 17/12/2013 21:18

I absolutely hate it. My mum always says it I say you know how much it offends me. But she thinks I'm just being silly.

headinhands · 17/12/2013 22:10

That's the distinction isn't it op, you think your dd heard it from a member of staff at nursery. That does surprise me as there is such a drive to use words that are 'kind'. I think a chat would be wise. It may be that dd heard it from a child, small children always repeat their parents.

headinhands · 18/12/2013 06:17

But obviously hitting anyone for saying any words is vile.

headinhands · 18/12/2013 06:17

Sorry. Hadn't read your post Annie.

octopusinasantasack · 18/12/2013 06:22

YANBU. I would never talk like that in front of children. It's just not cricket.

letzygonsbezyons · 18/12/2013 18:32

It can be offensive. If you are sensitive about this kind of thing, you will need to watch out on MN, where threads starting Jesus F..k..g etc are not uncommon--and will not be removed because they don't delete for blasphemy. (Except they probably would, if it were a non-Christian deity.)

exactly. and my DC has tourettesand autism and Id rather she said the 'f' word than the blasphemy she uses.

I find it extremely offensive. Bunny would you feel the same if someone was using your/your DH/DCs name as a swear word? (genuine question)

Gingerdodger · 18/12/2013 18:45

I personally don't like hearing it and wouldn't say it but I appreciate that, as a practising Christian, that's not a universal view and so I tend to just shut my ears to adults who do it.

I would be very upset though if someone was saying it in front of my children as I would not accept it in my home and I would be speaking to the nursery about it if I were in your position.

Abra1d · 18/12/2013 23:11

It is not the name that is offensive.

headinhands · 19/12/2013 07:04

except the probably would if it were a non Christian deity

But we don't use Allah or Odin as an exclamation as neither are culturally enmeshed. Neither would MN delete a reasonable criticism on ANY religion.

Snog · 19/12/2013 07:10

this wouldnt bother me as I am not religious. I suspect the majority of folk wouldn't be fussed as practicing Christians are a minority. However I wouldn't expect nursery staff to say this.

Abra1d · 19/12/2013 16:19

I don't think 'Jesus Fuck...g Christ' is culturally enmeshed either!

BackOnlyBriefly · 19/12/2013 16:30

Abra1d, clearly it is since you recognise it readily. That's not the same as saying it's supposed to be, but it worked out that way. No one in this country is going to say "For Odin's sake" if they hit their finger with a hammer.

TheArticFunky · 19/12/2013 16:42

I do it all the time and I'm Catholic. I try not to but it just slips out. I have told ds1 off for doing it because it does sound awful coming out of the mouth of children. It's no surprise where he gets it from. Hmm

I'm not offended when I hear it. I am offended when I hear people use the F or C word in public.

BackOnlyBriefly · 19/12/2013 16:55

I've just been thinking about the various religion related words and phrases that people use. 'damn', 'god damn you/it' and all those using the name/title like 'for christ's sake' etc and of course they have lost their original meaning, but they would have been phrases used by Christians back when 'Damn you' would have been a nasty thing to say to someone.

So that's where we picked it up.

Abra1d · 20/12/2013 10:52

Just because I recognise something doesn't meant it's culturally enmeshed, whatever that means. It certainly isn't (that particular and similar phrase I quoted) among any people I know personally. I only ever 'hear' that kind of thing on MN. I recognise that some people think all kinds of things are acceptable but that doesn't mean that they are part of the cultural landscape.

DingDongUriGelleryOnHigh · 20/12/2013 10:57

It doesn't mean anything to me because I'm not a Christian. I have words I hate to hear children use, like "stupid" and "idiot" as well as swear words.

But I would be annoyed at someone employed in a childcare capacity venting their frustration so audibly.

I'd want to have a word about the staffs management of their negative emotions in front of small children.

BackOnlyBriefly · 20/12/2013 11:12

Well culturally enmeshed wasn't my phrase, but the point about using jesus not odin or allah is because christianity and its terms have seeped through to everyone.

Christians introduced all those terms including the ones meant to be threatening/insulting. The F' was added later of course.

worldgonecrazy · 20/12/2013 11:22

You''re not over the top to find something personal to you offensive.

But other people may not have the same sensibilities. Such expletives, and their variations, are enmeshed in the English language and are often used colloquially.

OMG is an interesting one, as the G is not specific. Some pagans say "oh my Gods" or "oh my Goddess", which always sounds a bit forced and pretentious.