I really dont get it if you dont believe in him then you shoundnt take his name in vain.
2006-09-18 05:55:25 · 23 answers · asked by barbie 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree, I don't think you get it either. If they don't believe in God, then they're not taking His name in vain, precisely because they don't believe in Him. They're just using a phrase, saying a word, trying to get under the skin of Jews & Christians, something, but they're not using it in vain because to use His name in vain requires that you believe in Him and believe that it's wrong to use His name in a blasphemous manner.
The same concept applies to people of other countries burning the American flag. They're not American, so it doesn't mean anything to them. If it doesn't mean anything to them why should it mean something to me when they burn it.
2006-09-18 06:12:45 · answer #1 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not? To an atheist it's no different that taking the Insible Pink Unicorns' name in vain. Big deal.
The only difference is that believers in the IPU don't try to force their beliefs on others.
My non-believers are sick to death of you. Afterall, just because you believe something doesn't make it true.
2006-09-18 05:57:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why do people who DO believe in God take his name in vain?
2006-09-18 05:56:33 · answer #3 · answered by Dave 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because people think of God as just a word. It is kinda like the hollywood star that has 3 marriages and children out of wedlock, saying God bless all of you when they collect their acting award.
2006-09-18 06:21:13 · answer #4 · answered by reallyfedup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is just another word. I dont think they view it as taking his name in vain, I think they are just using a word.
2006-09-18 05:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by Joy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So only the people that believe in him should take his name in vain?
Its colloquial.
2006-09-18 05:56:51 · answer #6 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus Tap-dancing Christ, Allah and YHVH, You're right!
That wasn't an alien probe I got last night, it must have been Mohummad.
Nah, it smelled like a hospital and sterile, not like camel dung, musta just been aliens. Besides, I'm no virgin.
Ah well.
2006-09-18 05:59:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a cultural thing. Using God's name makes a curse or insult more effective, because so many people do believe. It also permeates our culture, in neverending cycle: people say it because people say it.
2006-09-18 05:59:35 · answer #8 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well its probably an expression that they grew up with. my parents, who are baptist and catholic between the two of them, said it all the time while i was growing up. and now, even though i am wiccan, and i don't believe in exactly the same god as them, i still say "oh god."
of course, i've heard plenty of wiccans and other pagans say "oh my goddess" instead of "oh my god", i just don't say it b/c its not natural to me like the other saying.
Does that help at all?
2006-09-18 05:57:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. people have a hard time believing in things they cannot see.
2. its just a figure of speech, no one is seriously "damning" God
2006-09-18 05:57:42 · answer #10 · answered by Bistro 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋