Taking the Lord's name in vain

[drewmeister2]

Here is what I found in the CCC:

I. The Name of the Lord is Holy

2142 The second commandment prescribes respect for the Lord's name. Like the first commandment, it belongs to the virtue of religion and more particularly it governs our use of speech in sacred matters.

2143 Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. the gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it.74

2144 Respect for his name is an expression of the respect owed to the mystery of God himself and to the whole sacred reality it evokes. the sense of the sacred is part of the virtue of religion:

Are these feelings of fear and awe Christian feelings or not? . . . I say this, then, which I think no one can reasonably dispute. They are the class of feelings we should have - yes, have to an intense degree - if we literally had the sight of Almighty God; therefore they are the class of feelings which we shall have, if we realize His presence. In proportion as we believe that He is present, we shall have them; and not to have them, is not to realize, not to believe that He is present.75

2145 The faithful should bear witness to the Lord's name by confessing the faith without giving way to fear.76 Preaching and catechizing should be permeated with adoration and respect for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2146 The second commandment forbids the abuse of God's name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.

2147 Promises made to others in God's name engage the divine honor, fidelity, truthfulness, and authority. They must be respected in justice. To be unfaithful to them is to misuse God's name and in some way to make God out to be a liar.77

2148 Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one's speech; in misusing God's name. St. James condemns those "who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called."78 The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ's Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God's name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. the misuse of God's name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion.
Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. It is in itself a grave sin.79

2149 Oaths which misuse God's name, though without the intention of blasphemy, show lack of respect for the Lord. the second commandment also forbids magical use of the divine name.

[God's] name is great when spoken with respect for the greatness of his majesty. God's name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending him.80

It looks like, according to CCC 2143 and 2145 that you are to use His name only in praise and with respect. Whenever Im not sure if using His name might be a sin or not, I just don't use it.

For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be met:
1. The action must be seriously wrong.
2. The person must know the action is seriously wrong.
3. The person, knowing that it is wrong, does it anyway.

I hope this helps!

[Don John of Austria]

If one means for someoe to actually be damned then that is not in Vain, This is not a defence of the act, for to actually will that someone go to Hell is a terrible sin. It is not Blasphemy as one can do it with the utmost respect to God, it is pure unadulterated hatred but it is not a violation of the second commandment, it seems that it would be a violation of Thou shall not Murder as you wish for someones eternal Death, still there is nothing vain about the act.



vain ( P ) Pronunciation Key (vn)
adj. vain·er, vain·est
Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: a vain attempt.
Lacking substance or worth: vain talk.
Excessively proud of one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.
Archaic. Foolish.

Idiom:
in vain
To no avail; without success: Our labor was in vain.
In an irreverent or disrespectful manner: took the Lord's name in vain.

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
12/24 - Fourth Friday of Advent

Properly understood, "God" is not the Holy Name of God - it's what I gingerly refer to as "the Y-word" (it's just too holy to say or write - it's not a pietistic thing, it's just true). However, one can use it in reference to God, as in prayer, as well as in cursing. If I say "dog" with the intention of cursing someone or something with the name of God, it "counts," if you will.

Just stay away from the whole blasphemy thing if you can.

[peach_cube]

[quote name='thessalonian' date='Dec 22 2004, 10:25 AM'] It is always a GRAVE MORAL EVIL to say the Lord's name in vain. It's a commandment after all. Culpability may be lessened due to consent of will (as in a habit that someone is trying to overcome) or perhaps a slip up due to a past habbit, and knowledge (someone who does not have the Churches teachings on the matter) but it is always a grave offense against God. For myself I would say it would be mortal if I was angry and did not just accidently slip it out but actually in defience after thinking about it said it. (G.D.). It should be avoided at all costs. [/quote]
So if it just slips out is it a Mortal Sin? Or a venial sin? Does anyone know of a source that clearly tries to define which is mortal and which is venial?

[save ferris 101]

[quote name='peach_cube' date='Dec 30 2004, 11:15 PM'] So if it just slips out is it a Mortal Sin? Or a venial sin? Does anyone know of a source that clearly tries to define which is mortal and which is venial? [/quote]
I think that it really depends on the case. Also, it's really up to God to determine whether what you did is mortal or venial, and I'm sure that most of the time you will know it as well, but I don't think that other people besides yourself and God can determine whether it is mortal or venial

[Pio Nono]

[quote name='save ferris 101' date='Dec 30 2004, 11:53 PM'] I think that it really depends on the case. Also, it's really up to God to determine whether what you did is mortal or venial, and I'm sure that most of the time you will know it as well, but I don't think that other people besides yourself and God can determine whether it is mortal or venial [/quote]
JMJ
12/31 - St. Sylvester

God has given us the moral law to let us know what acts are objectively mortally evil on His list. However, whether a sin is mortal or not is ultimately up to us (it's the whole full consent and knowledge thing) - that's why I take issue with your second sentence.

[cmotherofpirl]

When I saw the pictures of the Sumatran earthquake I said "Oh my God".

That was not swearing, not taken in vain, or meant out of disrespect. There are times when something happens that "oh my God" is the only response possible. Yes, many people trivialize it, and say it at the silliest things. But they are on the right track.
In times of trouble, shock, or awe the natural reaction of most humans is to call upon the name of the Lord, whether they admit it or not.
It is proper fear of the Lord, of who we are[ nothing], before who we is {EVERYTHING}.

HE is awe-full in the proper sense of the term.

[peach_cube]

Okay, I found what I was looking for. These responses are defined circumstances as to what is a Mortal Sin and what is a Venial Sin. My 2 sources are "An Examination of Conscience; A Preparation for the Sacrement of Penance" Imprimatur: Harry J. Flynn, D. D., Archbishop of Mineapolis 2002 Leaflet Missal Company. Also, I used "The Prayer Book" Imprimatur: Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago, 1954 The Catholic Press, Inc.

Mortal Sin
- Using God's name intentionally as a curse
- Seriously wishing evil upon another
- Serious slander or insult of a scred person or object
- Making an oath in a secret society
- Blasphemy (words of hatred, reproach or defiance toward God; speaking ill of God)
- Swearing false oaths
- Perjury (lying under oath)
- Telling a lie or withholding a serious sin in confession

Venial sin
- Using the name of "God" or "Christ" or "Jesus" or "Lord" as a byword or as an expression of impatience, or in jest.
- Speaking, not maliciously, but profanely and irreverently, of any holy thing.
- Using the Lord's name lightly, in suprise or in anger (habitual, not thinking)
- Cursing thoughtlessly
- Using the names of Mary, a Saint, the Pope or other sacred persons irreverently.
- Using vulgar or inappropriate language.
- Telling bad jokes about sacred persons or objects.
- Speaking badly of the Church.
- Inappropriate or irreverent use of Scripture.
- Swearing, i. e., calling upon god to witness the truth of what I was saying, when there was no serious reason for so doing, when the matter was trivial or foolish, even though I told no lie.
- Using language of cursing against inanimate things, or animals, or against human beings, even though I did not really wish the damnation of these last.
- Laughing at others' profane use of God's name or other irreverent speach, as if I thought it amusing and wanted them to continue.

[XIX]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Dec 31 2004, 07:05 AM'] When I saw the pictures of the Sumatran earthquake I said "Oh my God".

That was not swearing, not taken in vain, or meant out of disrespect. There are times when something happens that "oh my God" is the only response possible. Yes, many people trivialize it, and say it at the silliest things. But they are on the right track.
In times of trouble, shock, or awe the natural reaction of most humans is to call upon the name of the Lord, whether they admit it or not.
It is proper fear of the Lord, of who we are[ nothing], before who we is {EVERYTHING}.

HE is awe-full in the proper sense of the term. [/quote]
Wow cmom, that is very very interesting.

I have never thought of it that way. I mean, I know that when you're handcuffed and have nothing to say, "Oh my [i]God[/i]" can be a reaction as natural as putting your hands out when you fall. But I never thought of it as possibly a subconscious plea to God...


Frankly I'mactually a bit skeptical on this.

[XIX]

[quote name='CreepyCrawler' date='Dec 23 2004, 08:15 AM'] i think it's bad to say "oh my God!" b/c that seems vain. but is it wrong to say "oh my goodness!" since God is goodness and you're just using another word for God...?

my friend really takes offense at G.D. so instead he takes Bob Dole's name in vain and says "Bob Dole!" when he gets angry. It confuses people.. [/quote]
Well, God is also just. Don't tell me I'm taking the Lord's name in vain when I use the word "justice." I think it's fine, because it's taking His holy name in vain...God is goodness, but the Lord has never actually had goodness as a name.

So there is the difference, I think. I [i]think[/i]...

Isn't there a guy names David Justice, by the way?

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='XIX' date='Jan 3 2005, 02:20 AM'] Wow cmom, that is very very interesting.

I have never thought of it that way. I mean, I know that when you're handcuffed and have nothing to say, "Oh my [i]God[/i]" can be a reaction as natural as putting your hands out when you fall. But I never thought of it as possibly a subconscious plea to God...


Frankly I'mactually a bit skeptical on this. [/quote]
Thats your choice.

I think in times of great trouble we all turn to our Maker in one way or another.
There are no atheists in foxholes.