Ok kids lets stop swearing!

[snowbunnies300]

Oh I am so tired of going out in public and listening to children swear. I believe in God. I despise hearing a person take the Lord's name in vain. I realize that not everyone believes in God. That does not give them permission to continually take his name in vain. I doubt most kids even realize that they are doing it as they hear their parents say it all of the time as well. This drives me insane!!!! I really hate it at Christmas time when I am out shopping. "Mommy, mommy look, Look! Oh my *** I want this Lego set so much!! Oh my *** can we get it mommy? Please? Oh my *** I will just die if I don't get it for Christmas!" And mommy's response, "We'll see. Now come on we need to go. I said let's go!! Oh my *** when will you listen? Get over here now!!".

Maybe it is a good thing I am pretty much finished with my holiday shopping. I am already irritated and it's only the beginning of October. I just needed to get this off my chest as it has really been bothering me lately.

[WolfpackMom]

Most people dont consider saying the word God even in an "oh my" way swearing...at all even if they believe in God. Now saying God d*&^%t I can see being offensive and in vain, but I think this one you are going to have to let go. Im sorry that people are bugging you with it though!!

[luckytwenty]

I really don't think of that as swearing. We've become an "OMG" culture. I've unfortunately heard kids say much more than that, and I've heard parents say worse to their own children.

[Ceepa]

I hear you. We don't say it either though I'm sure I've typed "OMG" before. :bag It is one of those things that we have to let go because people just don't understand or care that it's offensive to some.

[gcc2k]

I don't appreciate it when children or adults say it either. But unfortunately it has permeated our culture WAY too much, and it's just something I have to live with. I think the vast majority of people don't even realize that taking the Lord's name in vain (saying OMG) is one of the 10 Commandments, right up there with not murdering, stealing, or committing adultery.

[wellyes]

It is allowed on network TV without controversy, so I think it doesn't register as swearing for most people.

[luckytwenty]

I don't appreciate it when children or adults say it either. But unfortunately it has permeated our culture WAY too much, and it's just something I have to live with. I think the vast majority of people don't even realize that taking the Lord's name in vain (saying OMG) is one of the 10 Commandments, right up there with not murdering, stealing, or committing adultery.

It's personally very hard for me to compare "OMG" to murdering and stealing or cheating on your spouse. I imagine I'm not alone on that one.

[MissyAg94]

I hate it, too. OMG to me is "Oh my gosh." Definitely swearing in our house.

[Cam&Clay]

To many people, whether they believe in god or not, saying, "Oh my god!" is far from swearing. My kids say it. I say it. It doesn't mean anything at all to us to say it. Doesn't even register on my radar.

[TwoBees]

I think you need to let this one go. I'm offended when people talk like a sailor in front of me (f___ in every sentence), but I can't make them stop. People are free to use that type of language in public, whether we like it or not. I've been known to use it myself when really p.o'ed. I think the best thing to do is take a deep breath, and then explain to your kids (if with you), why you don't like that term and that people are allowed to feel differently. (eg, "We don't use those words because we believe G-D is holy and we only use his name in respect).

[Melaine]

ITA with the OP. It does offend me and sadden me to hear "Oh my God" used as an exclamation, one having nothing whatsoever to do with reference to God himself. To pp, it may not mean anything to you to say it, but just be aware that some people hear it very differently. And in reference to it being a part of the Ten Commandments, I'm sure g22ck was not equating a phrase with murder, merely saying that both are considered sins in the sight of God. To Christians who use the phrase, you should consider that it may bother fellow believers for you to use it in front of them.

[maestramommy]

I actually didn't know this was taking the Lord's name in vain, until I was about 12 or so. My cousin told me. By then of course I had been saying it for YEARS so it was a very hard habit to break. It's funny that my parents never said anything, although I suspect it was probably because I didnt' say it in front of them very often, and their English wasn't quite as good back then. I remember the first and only time my dad said, "I don't give damn." I was like, "huh? what did you say?" I seriously couldn't make it out because it sounded so foreign coming from him. :ROTFLMAO:

[katydid1971]

I think it reflects to total lack of manners in our culture. It seems like the only manners people learn anymore are please and thank you but they don't mean anything if they person using them really doesn't feel that way. Like when you see a kid with the eye rolling "pleeeease". At DS's school when I tell the kids that my name is Mrs... I have had children say "no what's your real name". Using that kind of language (even if you don't find it offensive) is poor manners because someone else does. I think it brings our society down when we lower ourselves to lowest standards. In our house no one swears. "goodness" "shoot" "oopsy Daisy" and "oh oh spagettios" is all that is allowed. I agree with the First poster that saying the Lord's name in vain is not ok. I don't use that kind of language and I don't want to hear it either.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

It's personally very hard for me to compare "OMG" to murdering and stealing or cheating on your spouse. I imagine I'm not alone on that one.

:yeahthat:

i have to agree.

to me, swearing is using 4-letter words. i agree that excessive use of f- this and f-that in public places in presence of children is inconsiderate and rude. but to me, when i hear someone (even a child) say "OMG" in public, it doesn't even register. i don't see it as lack of manners or bad upbgringing. but then i guess, everybody is different and have different standards of what is ok and what is considered rude. I guess it kinda goes back to the whole idea of having to accept other ppls' different parenting styles.

[boltfam]

ITA with the OP. It does offend me and sadden me to hear "Oh my God" used as an exclamation, one having nothing whatsoever to do with reference to God himself. To pp, it may not mean anything to you to say it, but just be aware that some people hear it very differently. And in reference to it being a part of the Ten Commandments, I'm sure g22ck was not equating a phrase with murder, merely saying that both are considered sins in the sight of God. To Christians who use the phrase, you should consider that it may bother fellow believers for you to use it in front of them.

:yeahthat: Just because it is so prevalent in our culture does not mean that it is fine and that OP should just accept it. Believers especially need to realize that it IS taking the Lord's name in vain.

[luckytwenty]

I wish I lived in a world where I could afford to get all hot and bothered about people saying "Oh my God." Unfortunately, when I open up the newspaper I see people abusing and killing their children. I heard a lady at Walmart tell her toddler to shut the F up. I see people smack their kids for really stupid reasons (crying 18 month at 10 p.m., expected to behave perfectly at a bar). I see lots of things that get me just absolutely outraged.

"Oh my God" doesn't even register on the scale. If life were more perfect, perhaps it would.

[SpaceGal]

To many people, whether they believe in god or not, saying, "Oh my god!" is far from swearing. My kids say it. I say it. It doesn't mean anything at all to us to say it. Doesn't even register on my radar.

I know I'm guilty of this as well...I say it quite often. I don't curse much in terms of the f-bomb or sh-- but I can't help that I say OMG a lot. I try to correct myself and say oh my goodness...but it doesn't happen.

I know a lot of people that say it....it doesn't really offend me...it offends me more when kids say freakin' more than OMG. I, myself know I should say it, but didn't realize it was bad before I was so accustomed to saying it. Not that it's good but it's hard to break a bad habit.

[g-mama]

I don't like hearing Oh my God from anybody, esp. kids, but I know that my 7 and 9 year old boys are hearing far worse at school and on the bus, and that's far more upsetting to me.

My 4th grade ds told me yesterday he hears allllll kinds of curse words on the bus and told me, "Like the F word, the D word, the A word, the SH word...." :angry-smiley-005:

[Minnifer]

I wish I lived in a world where I could afford to get all hot and bothered about people saying "Oh my God." Unfortunately, when I open up the newspaper I see people abusing and killing their children. I heard a lady at Walmart tell her toddler to shut the F up. I see people smack their kids for really stupid reasons (crying 18 month at 10 p.m., expected to behave perfectly at a bar). I see lots of things that get me just absolutely outraged.

"Oh my God" doesn't even register on the scale. If life were more perfect, perhaps it would.

:yeahthat:

[daisymommy]

I recognize that everyone in the world is not a Christian. So I don't hold it against people in public, or let it bother me--unless it's like a dozen times in a row. Or if God is used with damn, or something else.

That said, I was raised to not even say oh my gosh, or jeez, because both are slang terms for taken the Lord's name in vain.

[deborah_r]

I think this is another "shoes in the house" issue, where people go with how they were raised and what they have been exposed to. I have never IRL heard from anyone that saying this phrase (I'm afraid to even type it for fear of offending) is upsetting to them. I have only ever heard this from reading this board. So, in many cases, you have to realize you are angry at people for saying something they don't even know that anyone finds offensive. I was not raised in a religious household. Saying this phrase was not likened to swearing. Now that I know it is upsetting to some people, I am trying to curb the habit, but it's hard since I've probably been saying it for 35 years or so. I feel somewhat disingenuous discouraging my kids from saying it, since it really doesn't offend me at all, but again I am now trying to think about how it might affect others.

For the record, I feel uncomfortable when people say they are praying for me, but I certainly don't fault them for saying it. I'm sure people who say this can't imagine how it could make someone uncomfortable, but it does.

[kdeunc]

I don't like hearing OMG either and try not to say it. My kids definitely are told not to use it. However, I consider "taking the Lord's name in vain" to mean more of misusing God to justify your bad actions, ie. the Westboro Baptist thread of a few days ago. There are plenty of people in the world doing what I consider to be really rotten things in the "name of God". Hearing OMG occasionally doesn't even compare for me.

[Moneypenny]

Even though I say gosh instead of God, it doesn't bother me to hear other people say it. I try to be respectful of people and mindful of their beliefs, but at the same time, I don't feel like I am beholden to conform to other people's religious standards all the time. For example, my cousins are of a religion that preaches that it's a sin to dance. I'm not going to refrain from dancing because they think it is wrong.

[swissair81]

I'm not Christian & I don't write or say G-d's name either. Perhaps it is because I wear my religiousness on my sleeve, but people do not curse at me/touch me/flirt with me (or even sometimes joke around with me). I'm prefectly fine with that.

[MamaMolly]

I didn't realize how much I said it until I heard Lula use it. So now we all say Oh my GOODNESS and I have to say it is super cute to hear. My mom says Oh Jesus! all the time (as in 3 times driving from the first floor to the second floor of a parking deck after she declared that she DOESN'T say it! LOL!) and Lula picks it up when she's around, but I try to curb it as much as I can.

[g-mama]

[QUOTE=daisymommy;2878590
That said, I was raised to not even say oh my gosh, or jeez, because both are slang terms for taken the Lord's name in vain.[/QUOTE]

Wow, my dh has always said that "jeez" was slang for "Jesus" and I have vehemently argued that it absolutely isn't or my devout Catholic parents would NEVER have said it or been okay with us saying it. Is it really?? And "oh my gosh" was always used as an acceptable alternative for "oh my God" in my house, too. Very enlightening!

[Nooknookmom]

I didn't know that it was **cussing** until DD1 met a friend in elementary school who sent her home in tears b/c she was "swearing".

All my female (deep South) relatives would gush "Ohhh my G*d" (insert southern voice here), would you look at that!!! All.my.life. This in the bible belt, friends, neighbors, etc. etc. did the same.

I believe in God, talk to God, say my prayers and I still say the same above phrase. It is in my subconscious, I don't even know I am doing it.

I would be more offended if I heard the kids say "Aw f-this and f-that", which by the way you will start hearing in Middle School/High School everytime you walk near a pack of pre-teen/teens.

I think this is one to let go b/c it is an ingrained reply in a lot of people.

[wellyes]

Wow, my dh has always said that "jeez" was slang for "Jesus" and I have vehemently argued that it absolutely isn't or my devout Catholic parents would NEVER have said it or been okay with us saying it. Is it really?

It didn't click for me, what that slang was for, until I read some Stephen King book as a kid where the expletive substitute used was "Jeezum Crow".

I wonder if "gee" as in "gee whiz" has the same origin?

Having said that, I don't think anyone saying "jeez" or even "oh my god" without the intent to be profane is not swearing and I do not find it offensive.

[LadyPeter]

I don't like hearing OMG either and try not to say it. My kids definitely are told not to use it. However, I consider "taking the Lord's name in vain" to mean more of misusing God to justify your bad actions, ie. the Westboro Baptist thread of a few days ago. There are plenty of people in the world doing what I consider to be really rotten things in the "name of God". Hearing OMG occasionally doesn't even compare for me.

:yeahthat:

This is what I was taught as well. That taking God's name in vain means using God to justify judging, killing, excluding and hurting other people. So persecuting people of other faiths is taking God's name in vain. Keeping people out of church because you don't approve of them, saying "I'll pray for you" when someone needs actual help and you are able to give it - that's taking God's name in vain.

"OMG" is a phrase I don't use, but I imagine it's far less offensive to God than those who exploit His name for their own personal, political or religious ends.

[a2mom]

I think the best thing to do is take a deep breath, and then explain to your kids (if with you), why you don't like that term and that people are allowed to feel differently. (eg, "We don't use those words because we believe G-D is holy and we only use his name in respect).

I really like this way of handling how to explain to my kids why we don't use God's name that way! That sums up the commandment in the 10 Commandments perfectly, I think! Thanks for sharing it!

[Jenny_A]

I agree with you OP!

[SkyrMommy]

I agree that it's become so common in society that many don't realize that the phrase is offensive to some. We try very, very hard to use good language around DD, but I know that she'll hear so many things that will have to be explained as we go it makes me sad.

On a side note what about 'holy cow'? I do say that sometimes and now with this thread I'm wondering if that's bad??? :bag

[gatorsmom]

I agree with the OP. To serious Christians who abide by the 10 Commandments, this one is just as serious as the other Commandments, though I understand that lapsed Christians or others who don't have the same commitment to Christianity and yet have some familiarity with it might not get that. I hate hearing it. I imagine it's as cringe-inducing to serious Christians as a Muslim seeing a cartoon picture of Mohammed. To someone who does not see or understand how this disrespectful, they might just see it as an innocent little thing with no harm intended.

And, I for one, will never let it go. It will always cause me to cringe when I hear it. I won't correct anyone outside my family who says it so flippantly, but I'm definitely raising my children not to take the Lord's name in vain. There are still some things that need to be considered sacred.

[citymama]

I say "my goodness!" :bag

I am not at all religious, but OMG and the like annoy me no end. Mostly because we're using these empty phrases in place of real speech and I'd much rather hear more creative hyperbole! And as a parent, I definitely cringe when people let the real swear words fly around my kids - not even just the words, but the aggression and hostility that they're expressing. Another lost opportunity to use real words to convey what we're feeling.

[DietCokeLover]

I agree with the OP. To serious Christians who abide by the 10 Commandments, this one is just as serious as the other Commandments, though I understand that lapsed Christians or others who don't have the same commitment to Christianity and yet have some familiarity with it might not get that. I hate hearing it. I imagine it's as cringe-inducing to serious Christians as a Muslim seeing a cartoon picture of Mohammed. To someone who does not see or understand how this disrespectful, they might just see it as an innocent little thing with no harm intended.

And, I for one, will never let it go. It will always cause me to cringe when I hear it. I won't correct anyone outside my family who says it so flippantly, but I'm definitely raising my children not to take the Lord's name in vain. There are still some things that need to be considered sacred.

This was pretty much exactly what I was coming here to post. I am deeply hurt when I hear these phrasings and am raising my children to have a holy respect for the name of God.

[sidmand]

I think this is another "shoes in the house" issue, where people go with how they were raised and what they have been exposed to. I have never IRL heard from anyone that saying this phrase (I'm afraid to even type it for fear of offending) is upsetting to them. I have only ever heard this from reading this board. So, in many cases, you have to realize you are angry at people for saying something they don't even know that anyone finds offensive. I was not raised in a religious household. Saying this phrase was not likened to swearing. Now that I know it is upsetting to some people, I am trying to curb the habit, but it's hard since I've probably been saying it for 35 years or so. I feel somewhat disingenuous discouraging my kids from saying it, since it really doesn't offend me at all, but again I am now trying to think about how it might affect others.

For the record, I feel uncomfortable when people say they are praying for me, but I certainly don't fault them for saying it. I'm sure people who say this can't imagine how it could make someone uncomfortable, but it does.

:yeahthat:

To all of it, including the praying for me! I didn't realize how much that saying might bother people either. I'm Jewish and actually used to say things like "Jeez" and would (I apologize) say "J---- C---t" as kind of a swear until DH (Catholic) told me how much they bothered him. I stopped saying them then. We've never said OMG very much but it didn't occur to me that that was so offensive.

[Corie]

For the record, I feel uncomfortable when people say they are praying for me, but I certainly don't fault them for saying it. I'm sure people who say this can't imagine how it could make someone uncomfortable, but it does.


I also feel uncomfortable when people say this to me.

[snowbunnies300]

I was away from my computer most of yesterday and was just too tired last night to come back and check. I must say I was surprised by the number of people who do not think that "OMG" is not swearing. I want to clarify my post. I said I despise hearing a person say it. I did not mean to say I despised the person saying it. I understand that it has integrated our society and is engrained into many as a phrase to say without consequence. I also understand that not everyone has the same beliefs as myself.

I understand those who say I should just let it go. I am unable to do that. It is by the grace of God that I am able to get out of bed each and every morning. Without that grace I would not be able to do it on my own. I am not strong enough. I have three non-verbal autistic children. I am very aware of the dangers of the world around them. I will not be helping them pick out a college in the future. I will be picking out group homes and guardians for them. I will not always be here on earth to help and protect them. Thus I have my faith that when I am no longer here that God will take care of them. They are his children.

And trust me, I too wish I had other bigger fish to fry than this one. I hurt when any child is abused either physically or emotionally. I too have heard terrible things said to children. I grieve for children who are murdered, raped or hurt. Reading the newspaper can be very painful at times. That does not change that taking the Lord's name in vain is also a commandment.

I post rarely. Yesterday I felt compelled to write down how I was feeling about this issue. I appreciate the posts in support and the posts with differing opinions. It helped me understand that the phrase is not on everyone's radar as it is on mine. I also appreciate that this post did not become negative. I'm glad everyone was able to post their beliefs.

[GonnaBeNana]

I too find it offensive. I don't say it and don't allow my children to say it either. We say "oh, pickles" instead. We borrowed that phrase from one of my favorite sisters in law.

To the OP, I appreciate your views and agree wholeheartedly. I am also very encouraged by your stamina, and reliance on our Lord for your daily strength. I will be praying for you and your family.

Beth

[wellyes]

This reminds me of that Usher song OMG with the delightful lyric "honey got some boobies like wow oh wow". I think all of us, regardless of how we feel about the G-word, can give a :thumbsdown: :shake: :6: :duh: to that.



I post rarely. Yesterday I felt compelled to write down how I was feeling about this issue. I appreciate the posts in support and the posts with differing opinions. It helped me understand that the phrase is not on everyone's radar as it is on mine. I also appreciate that this post did not become negative. I'm glad everyone was able to post their beliefs.I'm glad you posted, it is an interesting topic.