OT: The Phrase OMG=Offensive?

[Luna]

Your aunt has told you the phrase is offensive to her. You have told her a word is offensive to you. As mature adults maybe you can respect each others wishes and not say those things in front of each other. It doesn't cost you anything and you're not being asked to go against your own beliefs or values.
I actually don't know anyone who wouldn't find the r word offensive. I think it is more of a bad habit with your aunt rather than something she says in a mindful way with a hurtful intent. It would be best for her to think about dropping that habit.

[CedarCreek]

Your aunt has told you the phrase is offensive to her. You have told her a word is offensive to you. As mature adults maybe you can respect each others wishes and not say those things in front of each other. It doesn't cost you anything and you're not being asked to go against your own beliefs or values.
I actually don't know anyone who wouldn't find the r word offensive. I think it is more of a bad habit with your aunt rather than something she says in a mindful way with a hurtful intent. It would be best for her to think about dropping that habit.

Totally agree with you about respecting each other. We made a deal not to say those things around each other anymore. She broke that deal in about 5 minutes but we are working on it and holding each other accountable in the others presence. Not in a mean way.

Here,I just wanted to get a better idea of how its viewed across the board.

[Willow]

Your aunt has told you the phrase is offensive to her. You have told her a word is offensive to you. As mature adults maybe you can respect each others wishes and not say those things in front of each other. It doesn't cost you anything and you're not being asked to go against your own beliefs or values.

If only everyone could look at things like this, like that



Whether a word is offensive *to me personally* or not is moot. I'm grown and would never intentionally carry on offending someone just because I live or believe differently than they do.


The original questions were:

Is taking the Lords name in vain really all that offensive?
- YES. It is to many.

Is taking the Lords name in vain more offensive than using the word retard?
- YES. It is to many. To others they are on the same level of would never say that.

Now do with that as you will Cedar.

[Lyss]

I say it but not that often (I have other words of choice that aren't appropriate! !). Honestly I don't think or worry about how other people take it because no one around me would take offense. If I knew someone that I knew would have an issue with it then I may use it differently.

I don't say it around the daycare kids not because I assume they or their parents will be offended but because I feel like it's always prefacing something I don't want to make a big deal out of (IE "Oh my god the dog threw up!" :

Personally I hate O-M-G ("text speak") because its just annoying! ::::

[My3cents]

I don't find it offensive, but I try not to use it, I say omGosh, or OMGoodness, I also instead of saying what the Heck, always say "what the Hexagon!"
I know many people don't like it, so I don't say it, however, I do not believe it is using the lords name in Vain, I don't believe people use it like a swear word, if you drive by a bad accident and say "Oh my god" you are using that more like "man I hope everyone is okay" How would that be using his name in vain. I always use the phrase oh my gosh, in more of a excited or sad way, so to me your using his name in sadness or excitement, and I don't see how its offensive, now if I were to use it in bad taste or like saying "OMG your so stupid" then I understand. JMPO, but I don't allow it to be said or Jesus christ(which that one I do believe uses the name in Vain)

yes I agree. I think it depends on how it is said. I am cautious of my words around certain people. Others I know I can let go and be myself. I always think of OMG as a plight for God. God hear me. I need you now. Can you believe this- which is silly because he knows all- I guess it is more of a help me understand this. I am sure many people use OMG in vain- Personally I think God has more important issues to deal with then words. I would like to think he is up on his technology and can filter-

[My3cents]

Your aunt has told you the phrase is offensive to her. You have told her a word is offensive to you. As mature adults maybe you can respect each others wishes and not say those things in front of each other. It doesn't cost you anything and you're not being asked to go against your own beliefs or values.
I actually don't know anyone who wouldn't find the r word offensive. I think it is more of a bad habit with your aunt rather than something she says in a mindful way with a hurtful intent. It would be best for her to think about dropping that habit.

I think most people that say the R word are using it to describe something or someone that is mindless or has no brain or is slow at catching onto something. I don't think they are using it towards a disabled person. I would like to think most people have compassion for disabled people. The definition of Retard is- to cause to move slow or proceed slowly,delay. I think people use this word to describe another person that is having what I call a brain fart. It's not nice but I don't think when people are using this word they are meaning it to be someone with a true disability. I know I sometimes say well, that was retarded of me. I say this to myself. I just mean that it was slow of me to not know, when I probably should have.

[jokalima]

I am a christian and it Does Not offend me to hear someone say that word. Even I sometimes say it not that it is a good thing, but you hear it so much that sometimes I end up using it, the same way I catch my self singing " hot dog, hot dog..." Anyways, it does not offend me, because people that don't have a relationship with God are not aware of what it really means.

[Patches]

I am agnostic and I used to say it a lot along with a few other choice words and phrases that I have since dropped out of my vocabulary for the most part. I don't want to offend anyone and with little ears around pretty much ALL the time, I've gotten used to saying, "oh goodness".

[YHD2013]

When I was younger it really, really bothered me. Then I sorta fell away from the church, though I still believe in God. I have said it, and short handed the "OMG" but lately I have gotten into saying "oh my dear!!" and turn to that. I can see how someone of a strong faith COULD be offended, however many of my friends are much, much stronger in their faith than I am, and they use the phrase without thinking.

To answer your question however, I feel it is much, much worse to use the "r" word than to say OMG. Just like its much, much worse to use other derogatory names too.

[Meeko]

I lived in UT for 10 years and everyone there says "oh my heck!" ::::

Oh my heck, you're right! :

I personally find OMG offensive. But JC is worse. That I find disgusting. I don't like my best friend's name used as a swear word.

[Blackcat31]

I think that no matter what language we use or don't use we will always offend someone.

We can try to be as respectful as we are able to but we aren't going to please everyone all the time as that is simply impossible.

Pet peeves for me or things I find offensive (but would certainly not expect someone to change just for me) is saying JC, ANY swearing with the use of the word God in it and when people write an "X" in the place of Christ for Christmas.

..... gets my goat everytime buuuut, I am not unrealistic enough to think I have any more of a right to speak how I want then the next person.

My personal rule of thumb is speak as if I am speaking to a respected adult or person of authority. Would I say a specific word while speaking to a police officer during a traffic stop for example...if I wouldn't use a word at that time, then I wouldn't use it in my everyday speaking.

[MissSarah]

Oh my God doesn't offend me but I don't say it because I know it could offend other people. I don't get mad if other people say it.

The 'R' word on the other hand...I can't stand that word and I don't think anyone should say it.

My personal rule of thumb is speak as if I am speaking to a respected adult or person of authority. Would I say a specific word while speaking to a police officer during a traffic stop for example...if I wouldn't use a word at that time, then I wouldn't use it in my everyday speaking.

That's a wonderful way to think about it!

[makap]

I think that no matter what language we use or don't use we will always offend someone.

We can try to be as respectful as we are able to but we aren't going to please everyone all the time as that is simply impossible.

Pet peeves for me or things I find offensive (but would certainly not expect someone to change just for me) is saying JC, ANY swearing with the use of the word God in it and when people write an "X" in the place of Christ for Christmas.

..... gets my goat everytime buuuut, I am not unrealistic enough to think I have any more of a right to speak how I want then the next person.

My personal rule of thumb is speak as if I am speaking to a respected adult or person of authority. Would I say a specific word while speaking to a police officer during a traffic stop for example...if I wouldn't use a word at that time, then I wouldn't use it in my everyday speaking.

I do try my hardest to be respectful of everyone but I do live my life to please God above anyone else.

[missheather]

People will are trying to find faults with you always will... and haters love to hate!
I am a Christian and I have taught Sunday School for over 12 years! With that being said I have had people complain over my use of the words: Crap, ****s and Easter... yes Easter... one family said it was too "secular" and they wanted our entire church to no longer call it Easter but instead "Resurrection Sunday...
I try as much as possible to listen and be respectful but at the same time remember that I cant please everyone 100% of the time!

With that being said I HATE HATE HATE when people use the word "retarded" I find it highly offensive and will correct everyone who uses it in my presence, child, teen, or adult.