When atheists use expletive remarks such as God damn or Jesus Christ, aren't those atheists invoking the very names of entities they insist do not exist? When one says God damn, in essence, they are asking God to damn someone or something. Isn't it, therefore, hypocritical to invoke names of entities that, in an atheists opinion, do not exist?
2007-09-19 18:46:40 · 21 answers · asked by KS57 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In essence, yes, but practically, these people are simply cursing, I am sure, not really realizing they are being hypocritical. I am glad that you brought that up, a very thought provoking question to ask the next atheist I meet!
2007-09-19 18:56:08 · answer #1 · answered by lookn_4_laffs 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you say "bless you" to someone who has just sneezed, do you believe that a demon caused it? (this example is twofold: for both your question, and to illustrate the silliness of IWFJO's response concerning history and science).
The phrases "goddammit" and "jesus christ" are nothing more than than words that have become ingratiated into our language, in a similar way that 'bless you' has. It's not the admission or invocation of a deity, so much as the release of frustration.
And just for the record, I never (or at least very rarely) use either of your examples. Sweet zombie christ is much more fitting, in my opinion.
2007-09-20 02:00:08 · answer #2 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am not an atheist, but cussing like that tends to be a learned response after hearing it used a certain way over the years. Too many christians use it too, even though they are suppose to be following the ten commandments.
I wish more people would learn to watch their language in public, esp around children.
2007-09-20 01:52:26 · answer #3 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
So, if I invoked Zeus name while cursing, that's also hypocritical? How about if I invoke the smurf's names?
Heh, cadisneygirl76 is right. Isn't it hypocritical for Christians to curse using God's name?
2007-09-20 01:56:33 · answer #4 · answered by Darth Cheney 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For atheists they are just words that have a specific use rather than a deeperreligious meaning.
It's far more hypocritical for Christians to use such curse words, since their Holy Book specifically forbids them from using such blasphemous language.
2007-09-20 02:18:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's so societally ingrained that it's hard not to do. I make fun of my friends when they use religiously odd curses though, like a Jewish guy who says "Jesus" a lot. Honestly, nobody really means anything more profound than "oh no!" when they swear, anyway, regardless of religion. It's just that english curse words are so short, burstlike, and satisfying to say that we can hardly help it.
2007-09-20 01:54:41 · answer #6 · answered by kivrin9 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it is done more due to atheists wicked sense of humour. It is not blasphemy to curse something that does not exist to us and it gets a great reaction from others so it is a win win situation.
Really though it is a habit not a invocation of invisible men in hyperspace.
2007-09-20 02:09:38 · answer #7 · answered by nicelyevolve 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's just an expression.
We can refer to non-existent things, and it doesn't imply belief, such as saying, "Darth Vader is Luke's father."
... or sing songs like "Santa Claus is coming to town."
2007-09-20 04:40:46 · answer #8 · answered by Tim Elliot 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gates damn it. When will you realize it is habit? Besides when believers hit their thumb with a hammer and say "God damn it" I don't think they are really asking God to damn the hammer.
2007-09-20 01:52:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You're really picking that bone clean aren't you.
It's kinda like saying F--- You.
You'll really not going to F... the person ...it's called swearing.
Go back and dig up something else.....WOW!!!!
2007-09-20 02:01:57 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋