the morality (or lack thereof) of "oh my God"

[Guest]

On ‎10‎/‎07‎/‎2016 at 5:29 AM, Spem in alium said:

"Oh my goodness" and "oh my gosh" are euphemisms for "Oh my God", just like the other words you mention. They are not bad words, no. I'm just curious. I have actually seen instances where people, in the middle of saying "Oh my God", have changed to "Oh my gosh". Interesting.  

I use "Oh my God" or "Oh my Lord" sometimes in prayer. I also dislike "Oh my God" being used without thinking, but I think it's become such a part of contemporary language that it's going to be very difficult to remove.

A response from an apologist on CA: http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=49607

I don't think such exclamations used in everyday speech are sinful in itself.  I do think if an individual becomes uneasy about using such words or phrases as exclamations, it might be time to try to do something about it............however, it is unnecessary to race of to Confession thinking one has been committing serious sin.  Without forethought and habitual, it probably isn't a sin at all, rather imperfection, or at very worst venial sin (dependant on motivation) which can be forgiven in very many ways outside of the Confessional.

If such words and phrases have become habitual and a person would like to eliminate them, it is probably going to be difficult but not impossible (habit is not easy to break).,.... with perseverance in a resolution or decision.

One might decide to take into account too that sometimes non-Christians can be (but not of necessity) scandalized by the exclamations used by Christians. While again, there is no scandal involved on the moral scale, it is probably giving bad example and witness at the worst.

[StMichael]

It is taking the Lord's name in vain.

Just say, after you have heard this, "Blessed be his Holy Name."