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Using GOD Damn it, OH GOD, and Jesus Christ....Oh my!!

Do you or should you use such phrases and words despite being Atheist? I'm not sure, but I am very guilty of using them anyways, mainly cause of the culture I grew up with in the US. A smidgen of me enjoys knowing that it is meaningless to me but pokes at the offending religion that is Christianity. I really should be a better person and just drop them from my vocabulary completely, yet I have the thought that it would just look like I am justifying or giving power to that religion over me. Your thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on September 19, 2012 at 6:15am

Whatever works, Jerry. I can tailor my responses to my audience. An advantage of having gone through schools that taught me how to think.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on October 1, 2012 at 9:24am

Mordekhai, you're absolutely correct on tailoring your response to your audience. When I first started practicing law, I was working in an extremely poor, and uneducated area of the state. I recalled an anecdotal story of my legal hero, Clarence Darrow, when a judge threatened him with contempt of court for cursing during a trial.

Judge: "Mr. Darrow, why do find it necessary to curse?

Darrow: "Well, your honor, there are so god damned few words in the English language everyone understands, it's a hell of a shame not use them all."

I quickly realized that asking a question to a client such as, "What was the motivation behind your purported behavior?" would get me a blank stare, like I was speaking Mandarin Chinese. On the other hand, if I asked, "Why the f&^k did you do what they said you did?" would get me a rational response.

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Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on October 1, 2012 at 10:35am

I like that story Pat. Definitely something to think about.

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on October 1, 2012 at 12:23pm

Darrow? Bloody good show!

I bastardize my English when it's necessary. And you also see the need of it!

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Permalink Reply by Karl on September 19, 2012 at 12:26pm

Not only do I use God Damn it! and Jesus (though I use the Homer pronunciation "Jebus") but I use expressions such as "Oh, he walks on water" or "This is gospel". Then again, I'll also say "His only weakness is Kryptonite". Borrowing phrases from different mythologies does not bother me.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Durette on September 30, 2012 at 10:31pm

I'm 99% on my way to unlearning "bless you" when someone sneezes. I'm looking for a better alternative than "Gesundheit" if anyone has one.

I still say "God damn it" occasionally. I'll agree that it's disrespectful toward believers, but habits are hard to break.

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Permalink Reply by booklover on October 1, 2012 at 4:02pm

Kevin, I was raised by an Atheist, so I guess I never heard anyone use the word "bless." So my whole childhood, I thought people were saying "bleshyou." I never thought about it! LOL. I still say "bleshyou." Little do people know, I am Not blessing them... :)

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on October 1, 2012 at 4:07pm

Use Spanish "Salud!" for sneezers. It means the same as German "Gesundheit!" but sounds, I dunno, snazzier?

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Permalink Reply by John Aultman on October 1, 2012 at 7:55am

Oh yes god damn it is one of my favorites.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Allan H. Clark on October 1, 2012 at 11:34am

I don't even think of those phrases as religious— they are so common. When I need something not so ordinary, I like to use Jesus H. Mahogany Christ and Holy Mary, Mother of God. However they have to be said with just the right rhythm and tone to get the full effect.

What's the point of atheism if you don't blaspheme once in a while?

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on October 1, 2012 at 1:14pm

Christian in the office complained that everytime she mentions Jesus someone accuses her of being a "bible thumper." I sooooo wanted to say that yelling "Jesus Christ!" doesn't really make you a bible thumper!

My daughter says (she's always trying to edumacate hur mummy!) that using "God Bless You", "God, damn", etc. is simply a social norm and means nothing. I like to say "Gods bless you" when that particular co-working sneezes! Wonder if she notices. . .

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Permalink Reply by booklover on October 1, 2012 at 4:00pm

Goddammit was the first swearword I ever knew. My Mom has always said it. She's always been an Atheist. It just feels good to say it when you need to. Don't know why! I also say Oh My God, but have been trying to use Oh My Science when possible! ;)