Taking The Lord's Name In Vain

[Paladin D]

I was reading Chapter 10 in my Catholicism For Dummies book, it deals with the Ten Commandments. Anyways, under the 2nd commandment (Thou Shalt Not Take The Lord's Name In Vain), it lists that using His name or anything that is holy in a unholy matter is of course, a mortal sin. But it goes on to say...

"You're also voilating the Second Commandment if you make jokes, watch movies, or read books that are disrespectul to God or anything considered holy."

...I can understand this to a certain degree. Some movies really trash God and things that are holy. Yet again... a lot of movies that are being made include at least 1 G-beaver dam. Or slightly make fun of something that we consider holy or Godly. And this book so far has been inline with Catholic teaching, written by two priests (who are also on EWTN). Is this 100% valid, or is there more to this?

Does this mean we need to shun from most of the movies being made?

[jrndveritatis]

So is the book saying it is a mortal sin if someone says "Oh my ..." or "G-beaver dam"? That would be hard to believe, but essential to know if it is true. I really doubt that that would be a mortal sin.

It is true though that a priest told me that taking the Lord's name in vain is definitely worse than cussing, because it is somewhat blasphemous.

[Paladin D]

So is the book saying it is a mortal sin if someone says "Oh my ..." or "G-beaver dam"? That would be hard to believe, but essential to know if it is true. I really doubt that that would be a mortal sin.

It is true though that a priest told me that taking the Lord's name in vain is definitely worse than cussing, because it is somewhat blasphemous.

"Oh My G-d" and "G-d beaver dam" are considering taking the Lord's Name in Vain. Unless if you use "Oh My G-d" within its proper context.

[Anna]

Yes, of course, using the Most Holy Name of God in a casual, disrespectful, or unprayerful, irreverent way is sinful!

Sure, I've watched movies when the name of the Lord is taken in vain, but ya know what? When they do, I get a deep sense of sadness for these people and sorrow for our Blessed Lord. I find it really takes away from me being able to enjoy the movie, when they insult my Savior by profaning His Sacred Name.

Pax Christi. <><

[Paladin D]

Sorry, I misread something. It does not specifically say which of these sins are Mortal or Venial. So watching a movie with some language that takes the Lord's name in Vain, I *believe* (though can be wrong) would be a Venial sin.

[ironmonk]

In the Old Testament days, if you even said "God" you would be stoned to death.

That is one major reason why on Jewish sites you see "G-d", instead of "God".

Saying "Oh my G-d" as a "oh carp" type of context would be sin... but I think saying "Oh my God, please help that man" context would be ok... Spontaneous prayer is great.

God Bless,

ironmonk

[M.SIGGA]

Only call God's name in prayer and there is nothing to worry about. The priests who wrote your book are technically right because 80 years ago all books, plays, essays, film, and poetry that contained any reference that misused the Name of God or said anything else contrary to the faith would have been put on the Index meaning they would be forbidden for any faithful Catholic to read or view without the penalty of mortal sin. The authors sound like they appreciate traditional values. It would be good practice as a Christian to avoid potentially bad stuff all together because sooner or later it will probably cause you to fall into sin anyway.