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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 Michael Black on September 18, 2012 at 5:54pm

I like mixing GOD with my profanity. When I use profanity, I usually intend it to be offensive. The best way to grab someone's attention is mixing their imaginary friend with language that any half-wit can master.

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Permalink Reply by Jenn Wiffen on September 18, 2012 at 6:37pm

I get ya, waxing poetic with the words is so empoweringly fun.

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on September 18, 2012 at 6:05pm

I use such expressions regularly. They are part and parcel of my native language: NYC English.

When "called out" on this usage I explain that it conveys a depth of feeling; I want to be sure my pious interlocutor understands I feel as deeply as any other person. If I had to construct my own atheist cusses they wouldn't be "gotten" by "outsiders". Much easier to say "God fuckin' damn you to the darkest hole in Hell!" We're all on the same page then, you see?

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Permalink Reply by Jenn Wiffen on September 18, 2012 at 6:39pm

NYC...Ya you guys are talented fucks! Words do take on something that nothing else can express right down to the hellish point. Love it!

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on September 18, 2012 at 6:43pm

Jenn, I am a lifelong fan of language. When used correctly ... Well, let me say it like this: I could break every bone in your body, and you know what? You'd heal. But with the right words, I can hurt you till your dying day. Even if it's 100 years from now.

Thank god, I only use this awesome power for good. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Jenn Wiffen on September 18, 2012 at 6:58pm

You make me think of that saying ..'Sticks and Stones can break your bones' though I love the alternate ending to it which is 'but words will make you cry' which is so right. I have an ex that made some major mind fucks in my head and that's why that person is an ex.

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on September 18, 2012 at 7:14pm

That's one of the pitfalls of the human condition; intimate knowledge of ourselves by angry people who don't like us anymore is a potent, sometimes lethal weapon.

We can retaliate in kind. Which makes us into fig bat doodyheads as well. But telling off some potz who'd be wise to learn from the lesson thus imparted satisfies like three-part Beatles harmony. :-)

Back on my home-world -"The" Oith, we called it- we used to try to co-exist. On this here rock, not so much.

Say "Good night!" Gracie.

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Permalink Reply by booklover on October 1, 2012 at 4:04pm

"Good night Gracie." ;)

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on October 1, 2012 at 4:10pm

Bone sewer!

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Permalink Reply by Jenn Wiffen on September 18, 2012 at 8:00pm

The downer to using said profanity is that it also comes off as an acceptance of said religion too. Damned if we do ...damned if we don't...Well maybe not truly 'damned' but you get the picture.

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Permalink Reply by Mordekhai ben-Yosef on September 19, 2012 at 6:12am

Metaphorically speaking, yes, we're damned. Realistically? Scroom! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Wesner on September 18, 2012 at 11:20pm

I never used profanity much; when I was an Xian it offended me; now that I'm not I see no point in giving them free advertising. I'd much rather use a sharp retort without vulgarity. I wish I could create Churchillian barbs; they can sting and be remembered. One more use of the same naughty words just slides right by.