Why do people use Jesus' name as a swear word?

Question

I personally find it very offensive when people use Jesus' name as a swear word. What prompts them to do this? Are they ignorant of other people's feelings or has the media made them think that this is acceptable? And why this attack on Christianity? I've never heard Allah or Buddha's name used as a curse word. And for people who do use Jesus' name as a swear word: how would you feel if someone used your mother or father's name as a filthy word?

Answer 1

ignorance.

To take it a step further though, I know many people who say they dont take the Lords name in vain, but they say; gosh, golly, jeez and things like that- those are still variations of the Lords names because those words derived from the words God, and Jesus.

I wrote an article about this at my website. Click a link below if you are interested in reading it.

The general idea, is that we need not interject words at all that are unnecessary. Why say anything that isnt to the point anyways?

Why do we even add the space in a sentance for cursing? Instead of saying things like "Jeez, its hot!" Couldnt we just say, "its hot?"

Answer 2

i think it is because the word has emotional umph to it. don't take it too personal. but keep in mind that there is probably a subtle aggression towards you guys from many Americans. a lot of people here hold the christians responsible for falling for Rovean trick politics and voting an extremely dangerous person to be president. you may find this offensive, but you must understand there are some bone-head things that many (careful, not all) christians believe or endorse. very similar to how some less-educated southerners think nothing of making McDonalds their regular diet -- this ignorance can be incredibly annoying for people who DO take the initiative to educate themselves and not accept things just because they are ubiquitous. i personally have quite a lot of pent up anger and resentment towards my own family, who got "saved" a decade ago and have subsequently lost their frikkin minds! and whenever i use the J word in my swearing i am often reminded that this annoyance is probably a contributing factor. if all religious people were just like members of sojourners.com i'd probably have all sorts of respect for them, as i do the Amish or the devout peaceful Muslims. bottom line? i think religious communities reap what they sow as far as retaining respect from society.

Answer 3

The whole point of a swear word is to be offensive and/or attention getting. Few things work better than the name of the most popular deity around. Besides bodily wastes and the sex act, taking the Lord's name in vain is about all we have for first-rate cursing, lighten up.

Answer 4

I do it out of habit- a bad habit yes. However, the name and idea of Jesus Christ holds no significance to me so I feel no guilt or remorse for using it in vain. I do apologize as it is irrelevant whether or not I feel guilty because cursing like this is offensive to others (which is the heart of your question). If you were to one day start saying "Unicorn Farts!" (I'm assuming you don't believe in unicorns) you might get into the bad habit of repeating it because you don't see unicorns as a reality and subsequently there are no unicorns to judge you for it. Again I apologize as this answer smells more like an excuse than a reason. When it comes to society, the strength of your own beliefs should go hand in hand with tolerance and respect for the beliefs of others. It boils down to a contradiction of beliefs coupled with a blind eye to that which others hold dear- a recipe that has retarded humanity for a handful of millenniums now...

Answer 5

Using the name of anyone but Jesus wouldn't have the same effect. And, I don't like my parents. I wouldn't care if someone used either of their names as a filthy word.

Answer 6

Jesus Christ, what a question!

Because it rolls off your tounge and is acceptable as a curse in public, I guess.

In past ages, I guess they said "Balterdash" or something like that .. but whatever "words" are used, it is simply an expression of anger, outrage or frusturation ... not a "filthy word .. just a sound.

Answer 7

Because they are using the name of the Lord in vain. The Lord God will not hold one guiltless who dishonors His name. Exodus 20.

Answer 8

I'm a Christian, but I actually did that the other day, in one of those spur-of-the moment situations. Of course I immediately asked Him to forgive me. I sat there wondering, "Where in the world did THAT come from?" It was shocking and alarming!

Answer 9

They do it becouse it upsets people, and it is "bad."

If people did not get bent out of shape about it and make a big deal about it, the use of the word would go out of fassion very quickly.

Answer 10

They do it because they know it will get you upset for no reason. If you stopped playing the victim, they would stop doing it because you wouldn't be giving them the power to make you upset.