Ice_nine Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 What does it mean? I know some people answered in the other thread, but I'm more focused on colloquial expressions that use "God" in them. Is that taking the Lord's name in vain, and is that actually a mortal sin or grave matter? Like when someone says "OM-G you look so great in that dress" or something stupid like that, is that really a serious violation of the second commandment? There's linguistic/semantic factors in this and I don't think it's easy to say "yes this is a serious offense against God. I know in Arabic for instance there are hundreds of common expressions with "Allah" in them that people use that don't necessarily invoke God. I don't think Arab culture takes blasphemy lightly and yet there is no problem with these expressions. I know a lot of people use the name of Christ specifically when they are mad, flabberghasted, surprised etc, and that makes me cringe a bit. For some reason I think that's different than saying "oh my God," maybe because the word God isn't as personal? IDK. I'm tired and not entirely coherent but I just wanted to make my own special thread and ask you lovely pholk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didacus Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I am the first to reply to this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Two great sermons which should help answer your questions: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AveMariaPurissima Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Another thing I've wondered about re: this subject, and I'd love if someone could enlighten me: are there cultural differences in how the 2nd Commandment gets interpreted? Growing up I was always taught that saying "Oh my God!" was taking God's Name in vain and so was a sin against the 2nd Commandment. But a few years ago I spent several months in Mexico, and the exclamation "¡Dios mío!" (="My God!") was quite common, along with "¡Ave María!," "¡Santa María de Guadalupe!" and the like -- and they were used in much the same contexts as people here say "Oh my God!" I lived with nuns, and this was quite common and seemed to be socially/culturally/religiously acceptable. I mean, I would think that if exclaiming "¡Dios mío!" was considered sinful, certainly nuns, of all people, would not be saying it! But it goes against what I was always taught...so it makes me wonder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 I believe its wrong to use God's Name in that way because it is holy and should be used in a thoughtful holy way. Not for frivolous comments unrelated to Him and without giving thought to Him... So yes I believe it is serious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) Another thing I've wondered about re: this subject, and I'd love if someone could enlighten me: are there cultural differences in how the 2nd Commandment gets interpreted? Growing up I was always taught that saying "Oh my God!" was taking God's Name in vain and so was a sin against the 2nd Commandment. But a few years ago I spent several months in Mexico, and the exclamation "¡Dios mío!" (="My God!") was quite common, along with "¡Ave María!," "¡Santa María de Guadalupe!" and the like -- and they were used in much the same contexts as people here say "Oh my God!" I lived with nuns, and this was quite common and seemed to be socially/culturally/religiously acceptable. I mean, I would think that if exclaiming "¡Dios mío!" was considered sinful, certainly nuns, of all people, would not be saying it! But it goes against what I was always taught...so it makes me wonder... I think there are cultural differences. Obviously for nuns, this is a way of bringing God into even their exclamations, their moments of surprise and unexpectedness. If you invoke God and the Blessed Mother when you are most off your guard, that's a sign that God is really central to and foundational in your life. He's always there. Since Mexico is such a Catholic culture, I think it's probably acceptable there in general. But I can see how someone who is not religious using such an exclamation in a thoughtless way could be problematic. When your surrounding culture is really pious and you are not, such exclamations seem to have more complex implications. Even in the US, I don't think the usage of such phrases as "Oh my God" is a black and white thing. Language usually isn't, and this doesn't seem like an exception. I say "Oh my God" very rarely, having switched slowly to "Oh my gosh" over the years. But occasionally, invoking God actually seems appropriate, so I don't see how it's a problem in such cases. Personally, I think God must chuckle at the exclamations you mentioned. Also, having come to the Faith from Judaism, when people say "using God's name in vain", I don't think of the term "God" or "Lord". Those aren't his "names": They're WHAT He is, not WHO He is. His names in Hebrew are very clearly defined, and those I am extremely careful with. So saying "Oh my God" takes God's "name" in vain just sounds silly to me. Edited November 8, 2015 by Gabriela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superblue Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 i have heard one example would be to pray, as in with vanity , and thusly praying vainly by the name of God or to God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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