In today's culture, many people have different beliefs and thoughts about their own personal God. A diety of any kind, I believe would be offended at this phrase. As well, if a person has no God, but has any thought of kindness or concern for others feelings, it would logically follow that you should not use this phrase as 1) you don't have a god and 2) you may be offending someone who does.
We don't say "O my satan" "O my shiva" "O my Zeus" "O my mother earth" "O my crystal of power" "O my inner self"..... Why "O my god" ?
2006-08-14 13:10:33 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
"Oh my God" has become a "colloquial", vague term of astonishment in modern English. As you mentioned - many people do have their own personal gods, oftentimes themselves, money, cars, fame, power, or passion for becoming the "Idol" of many other Americans. (Since you asked this in American English it may be logical to conclude you are from the U.S.)
It would be more appropriate in modern America to say "Oh, my idol." Perhaps that would be less offensive to others...except of course to God Almighty who requires that no other "Gods" be worshipped ahead of Him. Mmm...wonder what that means in long range terms for America as a nation?
2006-08-14 13:26:10 · answer #1 · answered by LL 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, it's very hard to retrain yourself NOT to say something you've heard and said all your life. I know this because, as an atheist, I am trying to train myself not to say "bless you" when someone sneezes (I'm trying to go for the less religious-sounding "gesundheit"), but "bless you" almost always sneaks out before I can stop myself. If I accidentally bless you someday, please don't be offended. I'm doing the best I can.
2006-08-14 13:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by Danaerys 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it should be acceptable. That's what I learned when going to Sunday School as a child. Great question.
2006-08-14 13:20:35 · answer #3 · answered by cobra queen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spiritual blindness and insensitivity to the Holy Spirit...
2006-08-14 13:19:24 · answer #4 · answered by Heatmizer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ins'Ullah!
2006-08-14 13:21:35 · answer #5 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh my god...must we over-analyze everything?
2006-08-14 13:16:29 · answer #6 · answered by WhyAskWhy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋