"Jesus" is an offensive name

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

There's a thread at the moment by a woman who wants to name her baby "Jesus". Most people are saying don't do it, and giving a variety of reasons, but some Christians have said they actually find it offensive, because Jesus=God to a Christian.

Not wishing to hijack that thread, I'll ask again here; [i]why[/i] is that disrespectful and offensive? Jesus is a common name in Latin American countries, and Mohammed is a common name with Muslims. What is it about Western? British? Christianity that's different?

Genuinely curious, btw, I can understand that they're/you're offended, it's a very unusual thing here, and if I were Christian (as I used to be) I'd be too. But why is this?

There are 279 people called Jesus (As first name) on the electoral register in the UK.

Was Madonna really going out with a toyboy called Jesus? How fantastically oedipal. Good for her.

Yes, he even appeared in her last video.

What about trinity kai wayne

I'd like to see some alternative spellings of it - maybe Haysus, Hayzoos, Heyzeus....

ds2 wanted jesus as his confirmation name - his reasoning - was that he wanted the best name - no second rate saints stuff for him

the priest said no - i thought why not

but we did as the priest said

I know this thread has died, and I can't actually anything constructive especially wrt the religious aspect, but I have worked with 4 men called Jesus who were all African. Spelt like that and pronounced as in Jesus Christ.

Quite normal in some African countries apparently.

I couldn't bring myself to call the boy Jesus. I would call him J or something similar. I am not sure I am offended so much as amazed at the parents decision to put that on their child. He WILL be ridiculed. Whether you ignore those people or not it will be hard for the child. Unfair really. I would also question motive and the only thing i can come up with is attention.

The reason people are offended is because you are giving the name of God to a normal child. I don't think I would be offended becasue I would never really consider it the childs name, just an attempt for attention from the parents. I would relate the name to the parents attitude more than the child himself. Does that make sense? Probably not but i don't know how else to say what i mean. I mean no offence I just can't understand wanting to put the name onto a child.

Oh this is an old thread

Jesus is God and never sinned. This kid is not God and will sin = ridicule.

or homage?

Which Jesus, zozzle? There are millions of them as people have pointed out. You probably meant "Jesus of Nazareth"

or jesus peezus

I'd find it odd for an English couple, because Jesus is not a normal English name, so it would seem like they were making some sort of point.

Don't think I'd actually take offence (am a Christian), because it doesn't seem blasphemous. Just a bit conspicuous. Joshua is a perfectly normal English name which is very, very closely related to Jesus, so why not use that?

If a Latin American couple used it, I wouldn't bat an eyelid, because it's a common name in Hispanic languages, so I'd assume it was common in their culture.

this is interesting. muslims do name their children Isa-which is the Arabic form of "Jesus". But muslims view Jesus (pbuh) as a prophet.

I can understand why some christians would find it offensive, especially if they view Jesus as being God.

I wonder if bygone years christian history if children were ever named Jesus, if so why is it such a big deal today?