God's name in vain question?

Question

Its commonly believed that saying "oh my God" or "oh God" is taking his name in vain, but is it? What does it really mean to take his name in vain? God isn't even his name, its a title. So would it be correct to say "oh my God" is taking it in vain?

Answer 1

No, because 'god' is a title, not a name.

Answer 2

I think they refer to swearing. I don't think saying my god or oh god is tkaing God's name in vain. And besides these people aren't even using God's name Jehovah.
Swearing to God, however, is a way of taking God's name in vain. Hope this helps! =]

Answer 3

The only time I use the word is in discussion and never in vain, just out of respect for some of my friends who happen to be believers.

Answer 4

Vain:

- proceeding from or showing personal vanity: vain remarks.
- ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: a vain effort.
- Without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display.
- Archaic. senseless or foolish.
- without effect or avail; to no purpose: to apologize in vain.


Sorry...I'm not trying to be condecending. I just felt it important to place those definitions up for consideration. Most people don't understand the language they use daily! :o)

Answer 5

i don't think saying 'oh my God' or 'oh God' is taking his name in vain is just the common way to answer when we are in need, it's more when you know but you don't accept his real name or when you simply ignore him. that's what i think

Answer 6

One type of profanity is the misuse of the sacred.

This category includes
+ Using God's Name (or any of His titles) in vain
+ Damning people and things to hell
+ Reviling heaven
+ Blaspheming

The Commandment, "Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord thy God in vain," prohibits any such misuse.

"Let not your mouth form the habit of swearing, or becoming too familiar with the Holy Name. ... one who swears continually by the Holy Name will not remain free from sin." (Sirach 23:9).

+ Bad Words +

Profanity is wrong even when it does not involve the name of God.

God gave humans the gift of language. Language should build relationships with others, and enable people to share their lives intimately with each other.

We also hear people use four letter words like f*** to speak profanely about goodness of human sexuality and the holiness of marital love.

Such language is not only negative, vulgar, impolite and offensive, but also debases the dignity of each human being.

Moreover, this language reveals not only a person’s bad attitude and lack of respect for others, but also his own immaturity and insecurity in dealing with others. In using these words, the person builds barriers rather than bridges with another person.

Take for instance the word Hell.

First, no one should make light of Hell, that place of eternal damnation.

Yet, people use the word is so many ways today:
+ In anger, “Go to Hell!”
+ In surprise, “What the Hell!”
+ In greeting, “How the hell are you?”
+ In inquiry, “What the hell are you doing here? Or, “What the hell are you doing?”

Not only are do these sayings use poor English; they show a lack of respect for what Hell is.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2142 and following: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt1art2.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

The word in the original text that is translated "vain" not only means to use it in swearing, but to use it in any lacks manner.

Answer 8

It is said in the bible that we should not take the name of our Lord in vain. And yes, it is taking His name in vain when you use it improperly. When you say His name in a prayer of blessing or praising it would not be taking His name in vain. BUT if you use the phrase just to be dramatic or using it as another word then it would be taking His name in vain. =)

Answer 9

QUESTION: would it be correct to say "oh my God" is taking it in vain?
ANSWER: Yes and no. In the truest sense, it does SEEM it would be correct to say that the expression "oh my God" is taking the name or "title" God in vain. People say it all the time, with very little understanding and /or meaning, in other words, in vain, lightly, hollow, of no consequence. It is often said just as an interjection, an exclamation. However, it most certainly is possible to say those words, "Oh my God" with meaning and reverence, and just as many people say this phrase with adequate respect for God.

QUESTION: What does it really mean to take his name in vain?
ANSWER: In the worldly sense, something done or said "in vain" means something done or said lightly, "with futility", "without any value", worthless. Example: He built the house "in vain" since the hurricane came and destroyed it. His efforts were "in vain". When applied or added to a concept of God, "in vain" refers to irreverence, disrespect towards God, the One who created humanity, and in whom there is no vanity, so therefore references to Him should not be said or taken lightly. So, in that sense, it may indeed be true and correct to say a person has taken God in vain when they say, "Oh my God".

Now by the same token, for extremists to come out and start telling people they can't say, "Oh my God", is absurd, scary, and little frightening if you ask me, and they should stop doing it. It is said in everyday conversation, for goodness sakes!!!!!!! And with that said, you could try and avoid offending people who don't like to hear,"Oh my God", by saying "Oh my goodness". If they tell you to stop saying that too, I'd really start to be concerned. Christians should find a way to say His name often and with reverence.

Now consider some food for thought: Wouldn't atheists consider it a great success if no one ever said "oh my God". They wouldn't ever have to hear the word, right? They win!!!
Some of those conspiracy theorists could easily come up with the theory that this current movement to get everyone to not say "oh my God" is an atheist conspiracy, one little step towards ridding the world of any appearance or reference to God. God gets in the way of what atheists want to do in this world, ya know??? God is a wrench in their machinery.
Therefore, I'd rather hear people say, "Oh my God."
It's inadvertantly a profession of faith. Thank God!!!!!
Just something to make you think.

Now to say God with a word or words considered to be swear words I think most Christians would agree crosses the line into what approaches hate based thinking and goes beyond just using bad language, not to mention a lack of respect.

But to just say,"Oh my God" hardly constitutes vanity, especially if you really mean it, that is, you say it with reverence, and you do believe in God. In other words, it is possible to say,"Oh my God" with meaning and reverence.

Answer 10

To say something is taken in vain is to say it is taken lightly. Just so, a God with no true and proclaimed name may be taken lightly.