# Poll about taking the lord's name in vain **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 19, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590 "2009-04-19T02:48:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/321 "2009-04-22T15:11:46Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > So take TV and the religious right’s influence out of it. It sounds like it’s YOU who’s making TV the standard for whether or not non-believers can say “god damn” versus “damn.” If that’s not the yardstick you’re using, what is? And what is it based on? TV was **your** example, my friend, not mine. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/322 "2009-04-22T15:26:14Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > My ex used to tickle me until I cried and peed myself. It’s sadistic. Anyone who finds it amusing is a sick muthahfuckah. Fortunately for me-hehehe-when tickled, I kick. Spastically. When we were kids, my best friend found out when I kicked her in the face and broke her glasses. (Just the earpiece-which thankfully my dad was able to fix for her) ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/323 "2009-04-22T15:30:33Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > TV was **your** example, my friend, not mine. You still haven’t answered my question. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/324 "2009-04-22T15:33:13Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > What do you think the standard should be? TV is under the thumb of the FCC who are under the thumb of the christian right. Which is why you have all this sexual humor and all these sexual situations on primetime TV, right? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/325 "2009-04-22T15:44:49Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Which is why you have all this sexual humor and all these sexual situations on primetime TV, right? Well **Lord Ashtar** is right. GOD damn isn’t allowed unless it’s in a movie, and then only on some stations. The FCC has slapped some ridiculously high fines on people like Howard Stern because they didn’t like his potty mouth. You can’t say FUCK or CUNT or most of the original “Seven Words” on TV except on some movie channels. You’re not suggesting the general populace gives a rat’s ass what’s broadcast, are you? They can block channels that don’t suit their sensibilities. The power is in the RR’s opinion about foul language and taboo subject matter. An example of pressure from religious groups [http://erlc.com/article/erlc-urges-concerned-citizens-to-support-the-fcc-and-oppose-profanity-and-o/](http://erlc.com/article/erlc-urges-concerned-citizens-to-support-the-fcc-and-oppose-profanity-and-o/) The language they want to prohibit happens in real life all the time. Most people aren’t offended by it. But this really has nothing to do with the OP’s subject. the GOD piece of “god damn it” is bleeped, and it’s not a curse word. Neither is “damn” anymore. The only reason I can see is that they kowtow to believers. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/326 "2009-04-22T15:46:15Z")
For the record, I hear the word “goddamn” and variations of it uttered on talk radio all the goddamned time – _The Mike O’Meara Show_ (a comedyish show on AM – used to be _The Don and Mike Show_) in particular. I remember the hullabaloo about what could and couldn’t be said or done on the air after the FCC freaked out over Janet Jackson’s nipple – no more fart noises, can’t say “orgasm”, can’t mention dildos, whatever … but then there was a thaw and they specifically got the ok to say “goddamn.” And so they do. Liberally. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/327 "2009-04-22T16:01:47Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > For the record, I hear the word “goddamn” and variations of it uttered on talk radio all the goddamned time – _The Mike O’Meara Show_ (a comedyish show on AM – used to be _The Don and Mike Show_) in particular. > > I remember the hullabaloo about what could and couldn’t be said or done on the air after the FCC freaked out over Janet Jackson’s nipple – no more fart noises, can’t say “orgasm”, can’t mention dildos, whatever … but then there was a thaw and they specifically got the ok to say “goddamn.” And so they do. Liberally. I don’t listen to much talk/goof radio so I can’t say what’s happening in the Chicago market, but I do remember Stern being pushed to Pay Radio because he was fed up with the heavy handed approach the FCC took to his freedom of speech. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/328 "2009-04-22T16:07:23Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > You still haven’t answered my question. I’m not bothered by other people taking the Lord’s name in vain. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/329 "2009-04-22T16:40:51Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > You can say whatever you want, of course. That’s not what this thread is about. > > I can’t help but notice that you didn’t really address my post you quoted, but opted instead to try and be funny. If you have to resort to poor attempts at humor, then maybe your position isn’t as strong as you’d have us believe. > > Be serious for a moment. Do you really not see a difference between those two sentences? Sure I do. I don’t go around saying “jesus h. christ” not because I have any belief in magic words but because I prefer to keep my profanities in reserve so they’ll really sting when I must use them. But I have no moral opposition to saying it or hearing it said. As to the thread question, it’s a little hard for me to answer because I don’t curse casually; if I curse at someone he’s done something to merit it (in my view), and I’m not likely to care about politeness. See the earlier anecdote about my brother’s sadistically tickling my niece. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/330 "2009-04-22T16:46:52Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Sure I do. As do I, so we are in agreement. The question was originally posed to **Diogenes** , who said there was no difference, so I’m interested to see him chime in. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/331 "2009-04-22T16:49:17Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > See the earlier anecdote about my brother’s sadistically tickling my niece. Or even my stepdaughter. I’m not sure how I confused Cinderella with the other girls. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/332 "2009-04-22T17:44:34Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Well **Lord Ashtar** is right. GOD damn isn’t allowed unless it’s in a movie, and then only on some stations. The FCC has slapped some ridiculously high fines on people like Howard Stern because they didn’t like his potty mouth. You can’t say FUCK or CUNT or most of the original “Seven Words” on TV except on some movie channels. You’re not suggesting the general populace gives a rat’s ass what’s broadcast, are you? I think you’re seriously underestimating what the general populace thinks. Besides, you guys are the ones who say that the Christian Right has the FCC under its oppressive thumb. If that were truly the case, you’d expect that prime-time TV broadcasts would be a lot more conservative than they are now. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/333 "2009-04-22T18:49:50Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > I think you’re seriously underestimating what the general populace thinks. > > Besides, you guys are the ones who say that the Christian Right has the FCC under its oppressive thumb. If that were truly the case, you’d expect that prime-time TV broadcasts would be a lot more conservative than they are now. Parental Controls were invented so those who don’t their children to see it can block the stations. That’s all the control anyone should need or want over the situation. The fact that there are organizations like the ERLC indicates a hard push from the RR to shut down freedom of expression. I don’t know anyone on the left side of the argument who feels they need more control than the PC button on their remote to restrict their children’s viewing options. Sometimes they (the FCC) acquiesce and sometimes they don’t. Money is the driver. The networks and sponsors want to make money and get high ratings. If it’s not nekkid T&A and explicit language, they generally allow it. The rest of the world has no problem with more explicit TV. Europe and Japan are fine with it. This seems to be an American Tightie Rightie thing. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/334 "2009-04-22T18:56:17Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > There’s no such word as “goddammit.” I gave up on this fight long ago. It’s a word now. By the way, I didn’t ask this question to be argumentative: > [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > To **Diogenes the Cynic** : I fail to understand your outrage. Why would an atheist even _want_ to say “God damn it” or “Jesus H. Christ” if you don’t believe in God or Jesus? It’s like being asked to avoid taking the name of Thor in vain. Sure. No sweat. Why would you swear to, at, or on behalf of an entity you don’t believe in? I’m genuinely curious. Why _do_ atheists say “God damn” unless it’s for the specific purpose of offending believers? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/335 "2009-04-22T18:59:17Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This is completely incorrect. I’ve taught my second graders about ancient Greek gods. I’ve read them a children’s version of the story of Hanukkah, while a teacher across the hall prepared a lesson on Christmas and others prepped lessons on other winter holidays. > > Teaching children about religious practices does not violate the establishment clause. Teaching children that a particular religious belief is correct or incorrect does. I never had the occasion to teach about Greek mythology, and we pretty much had to steer clear of Christmas discussions (we had to say “winter holiday”). We had a high population of Hmong kids, though (who have an idiosyncratic folk religion all their own), so efforts were made not to step on toes. In a literal sense, could I have said the word “God,” and gotten away with it. I’m sure I could have, but saying much about religion in general was frowned on. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/336 "2009-04-22T18:59:43Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > By the way, I didn’t ask this question to be argumentative:I’m genuinely curious. Why _do_ atheists say “God damn” unless it’s for the specific purpose of offending believers? Habit/monkey see, monkey do. I use “Jesus Christ!” as an expletive all the time and I’ve never been a Christian. I’m an atheist now and I was a Hindu before that. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/337 "2009-04-22T19:26:45Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > And how not? > > Yes or no: The OP is talking taking the lord’s name in vain. > > Yes or no: “God Dammit” is taking the lord’s name in vain. > > My answer to both of those questions is yes. What’s yours? Apropos of little… I used to go to a barber who was something of a black nationalist. One day, as I was getting a shave, he was expounding to one of his coworkers that, while it was sacrilegious to say “god damn” in general, it is okay to say “the goddamn white man.” His view is that white persons are already damned in general for slavery (as a group), so the latter phrase is simply a statement of fact. I chose not to argue, as he had a straight razor in his hand and I am not an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/338 "2009-04-22T19:34:31Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > By the way, I didn’t ask this question to be argumentative:I’m genuinely curious. Why _do_ atheists say “God damn” unless it’s for the specific purpose of offending believers? For the same reason plenty of Christians say “Holy shit” even though they don’t really think shit is holy. We grew up hearing it and it becomes second nature to spout out certain things in certain situations. And most people I know are Christians and I hear “God damn” from them all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/339 "2009-04-22T19:36:44Z")
Speaking as an atheist, I don’t parse “goddammit” literally as “I wish God to damn something.” The literal meaning has no significance to me. It’s a learned set phrase used in the society to communicate anger or frustration or sometimes even jubilation. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/340 "2009-04-22T19:40:04Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Speaking as an atheist, I don’t parse “goddammit” literally as “I wish God to damn something.” The literal meaning has no significance to me. It’s a learned set phrase used in the society to communicate anger or frustration or sometimes even jubilation. Same here. It’s a phrase used by most everyone, rarely with any intended request upon a god to damn anything, nor any expectation that a god would respond to the request. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590.md?page=18)