Is it really that offensive to people?

Question

Sometimes when I am talking to someone in casual conversation, if they tell me something that suprises or shocks me, etc. I'll say "oh my God". My sister always gets mad at me when she hears me say it because she says it offends people. But does it seriously offend people, or do most religious people realize that it is just a part of my vocabulary and sometimes it just "slips out"?

Would you seriously consider not being around me, or liking me, etc. just because I couldn't refrain from saying "oh my God" once in a while?

Answer 1

Try saying, "Good Lord!" instead.

Answer 2

Oh my god you did not offend me at all no
and
people who are very religious down to the bone
it must offend them in some kind of way

I say the same thing oh my god as part of my vocabulary
and yes it does slip out at times

Besides some people in this world have to make
such a big fuss over this

Answer 3

I'm a Christian and I slip and use the Lords name in vain. To some it is offensive because when you use the Lords name like that its like saying a curse word. When I realize I say it I always ask for forgiveness and I really try to not do it. No I would never consider not talking to someone for saying it. Sin is sin, so I'm not any better then you or anybody else for that fact. God bless

Answer 4

I know plenty of people who would be offended (and I don't even live in the South). However, very, very, very few would be comfortable saying it to you; and even less would be so judgmental about it that they would quit liking you because it is such a common quirk.

It is, however, socially akin to saying "That is retarded/Jewish."
It is just part of your vocabulary until you say it to someone who has a handicap family member or is Jewish and they get very offended and probably still will not say anything.

It's your call, but I would only use it in casual settings; absolutely not at work/school.

Answer 5

What is with this Oh My God business?
It is not the Lord's name.
God is a generic term it is not a name.
It actually is a designator.

Where did this come from?
From some Religious persons idea to control people? Perhaps a pastor.

The Lord's name is Jesus.

To use His name for nothing is taking it in vain.

How is it people are so easily misled?
The guy says I have a degree in theology so he has to be the guy to listen to. Wrong again naturally.

Answer 6

I personally am not necessarily offended when someone uses God's name in ways like that but I do take note of it and wonder why the person isn't able to find another exclamation that would suit the purpose just as well. Many however are offended by its use or even the use of similarly sounding words..such as Gosh or gee. If you wish to please your sister, perhaps you could come up with something new to say. It just takes practice. Words are often just habits.

Answer 7

I think it is offensive if you say that because you are using God's name in a bad way. It's like cursing God for something that is not his fault. It is also like let's say something bad happened to you and you said "oh my God". Then you are saying that it was God's fault that the bad thing that happened to you, happened to you. You also said that it just slipped out. Well, sometimes that happens. It only means you are human. And like my mom always says "accidents happen." Just try to control that habit of yours and everything will work out just fine. It may be hard at first but you will get used to it. Instead of saying "oh my god" try saying "oh my gosh" when you need to.

Answer 8

Here's the thing
If you were the creator of lovely porcelain dolls, each one a perfect work of art, a masterpiece that you had laboured over for weeks, dolls that millions of people admired and treated like a treasure and that you gave away just for the shear joy of knowing that people enjoyed them, and you walked into a store and saw the attendants using your dolls as a baseball and were smashing and batting them around, how would you feel?

Every time you toss around God's name like so much chaff, it is grievous to Him. Some are offended, I myself actually cringe inside and I'm saddened. This is actually a perfect example of what doing to others as you would have done to yourself is all about, because the bottom line is, it really doesn't matter if you think it's harmless..... If it is hurting someone you love, or that you care about, you will do everything in your power to break that habit for their sake.... not for yours.

No I would not reject you as a friend, but I would hope that you were sensitive enough to me to be able to break this habit - and then I would celebrate with joy and thanksgiving...WITH you.... at what you have done, just for me.....

blessings :)

Answer 9

Some people just look for reasons to be offended.

However, I have switched to saying "Oh my gosh" instead, to respect other people's religious leanings. Sometimes it does slip out. But I am not going to obsess about it. I can only do so much political correctness.

Answer 10

It used to matter A LOT if you said that (because it was considered taking the lord's name in vain) but society has changed a lot over the centuries and very few people are even annoyed when you say that.

Answer 11

To be polite means to make others feel comfortable when they are around you. If you know someone who dislikes a certain word or phase then try not to use it. Our words do become habit and habits are hard to break, but if your sister really doesn't like it and you want to get along stop using it in front of her. I say it myself from time to time, so I hear ya.