# 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:** 19
**Author:** ![costa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@costa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/costa)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/361 "2009-04-23T23:53:20Z")
you can take the lord’s name in vain .as often as you.it shows lack of control of the language.and of your self.besides,i dont want to be there when the lightning strikes.beside if you love your parents,do you call them mother,Father hey you over there. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/362 "2009-04-24T00:43:27Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Say what you want. You characterized it as a miserable canard, presumably off-point. But it is explicitly on point, because the religious connection simply cannot be avoided. Please reread what I wrote: > [@](#): > > If anyone in this thread is arguing that you should respect the request because … the requester believes the TC make such a request of you, please cite it. Otherwise, can we drop this miserable canard? Nobody in this thread is suggesting that a stipulated belief on the part of the requester that the TC requires you to avoid taking the Lord’s name in vain means you shouldn’t take the Lord’s name in vain. Reread that sentence if you need to. There are some nested ideas in there. Sure, there may be some idiots who think they’re protecting my soul by making this request. **I don’t care**. Their reasons for the request are not unethical reasons, don’t further a horrible agenda, and so their reasons for the request are irrelevant. Their reasons are irrelevant. What’s relevant is that 1. My swearing is unpleasant to them; 2. The cost (psychological, social, material) of not swearing around them is negligible; and 3. They made the request in a polite manner. Nothing else matters. Turning this into a referendum on the Ten Commandments and their relevance to your life is simply sloppy, self-righteous thinking. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/363 "2009-04-24T06:01:30Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Nothing else matters. Turning this into a referendum on the Ten Commandments and their relevance to your life is simply sloppy, self-righteous thinking. Gee. That’s exactly my argument against the “Enforcer” of this Commandment. The one who curtails my speech, by his eer so special and sensitive offense. These words are part of Babel, nothing but ambivalence. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/364 "2009-04-24T10:17:51Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > Gee. That’s exactly my argument against the “Enforcer” of this Commandment. The one who curtails my speech, by his eer so special and sensitive offense. > These words are part of Babel, nothing but ambivalence. Help, help. You’re being repressed. “Enforcer”? For fuck’s sake. Making a polite request is a little different from pointing a gun at someone. There’s zero enforcement going on here. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/365 "2009-04-24T11:05:50Z")
> [@costa](#): > > you can take the lord’s name in vain .as often as you.it shows lack of control of the language.and of your self.besides,i dont want to be there when the lightning strikes.beside if you love your parents,do you call them mother,Father hey you over there. Despite your crappy sentence, I’ll attempt to respond. Why would you think it shows a lack of control of the language? Why would you think that a person couldn’t consciously choose to use these words? I think its a bit presumptuous to think that words YOU don’t like indicate a lack of control of self or language. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/366 "2009-04-24T11:14:05Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > …What’s relevant is that > > 1. My swearing is unpleasant to them; > 2. The cost (psychological, social, material) of not swearing around them is negligible; and > 3. They made the request in a polite manner. > > Nothing else matters. Turning this into a referendum on the Ten Commandments and their relevance to your life is simply sloppy, self-righteous thinking. How about you read the OP. It is not about ‘swearing’. It is about ‘taking the lord’s name in vain’. Those two items are not synonymous. The latter simply cannot be divorced from the commandments, because they are the direct and unambiguous reason for the request in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/367 "2009-04-24T11:24:05Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > How about you read the OP. It is not about ‘swearing’. It is about ‘taking the lord’s name in vain’. Those two items are not synonymous. The latter simply cannot be divorced from the commandments, because they are the direct and unambiguous reason for the request in the first place. Agreed. What if we take the “damn” out of the statement and say, “Jumpin’ christ on a pogo stick!” Are you ok with that? Is that NOT taking the lord’s name in vain? (not you, Boyo Jim…) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/368 "2009-04-24T23:54:48Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > How about you read the OP. It is not about ‘swearing’. It is about ‘taking the lord’s name in vain’. Those two items are not synonymous. The latter simply cannot be divorced from the commandments, because they are the direct and unambiguous reason for the request in the first place. This is both nitpicking and ignorant. Virtually any dictionary will tell you that the relevant definition of swearing is to utter obscenities or profanities; taking the lord’s name in vain is by definition a profanity. Even if it were wrong, changing what I said to “taking the lord’s name in vain” does not change the point remotely. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/369 "2009-04-25T09:28:54Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This is both nitpicking and ignorant. Virtually any dictionary will tell you that the relevant definition of swearing is to utter obscenities or profanities; taking the lord’s name in vain is by definition a profanity. Even if it were wrong, changing what I said to “taking the lord’s name in vain” does not change the point remotely. Do you really believe that if someone asks you “not to take the Lord’s name in vain” that they are NOT referring to one of the commandments? I mean, aside from whatever response you or I would make to the person’s request… ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/370 "2009-04-25T12:18:11Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Do you really believe that if someone asks you “not to take the Lord’s name in vain” that they are NOT referring to one of the commandments? > > I mean, aside from whatever response you or I would make to the person’s request… No. I also believe that it is irrelevant. My reason for acquiescing is what’s in question, and my reason for acquiescing will have nothing to do with the ten commandments. ---
**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 25, 2009, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/371 "2009-04-25T12:19:29Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Do you really believe that if someone asks you “not to take the Lord’s name in vain” that they are NOT referring to one of the commandments? What they’re asking (pleasantly, I might add) is that you not say something in their presence that they find personally distasteful. The commandment may be the reason they find it distasteful, but that’s not relevant to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/372 "2009-04-25T12:24:07Z")
Then we part company, because why someone asks me to change my behavior is relevant to me. If someone asks me because their lord takes offense at it, then sorry, that’s not a good enough reason. I don’t think there is any need for further discussion. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/373 "2009-04-25T12:30:04Z")
> [@costa](#): > > you can take the lord’s name in vain .as often as you.it shows lack of control of the language.and of your self.besides,i dont want to be there when the lightning strikes.beside if you love your parents,do you call them mother,Father hey you over there. Saying Hey you over there, or man or there, is not using the name of your Father. I do not think God’s name is God. Many religions have different names for their God. Even (as I understand it the Jewish people had a couple of names for God. The word God does not reference His name any more than the word Father is your father’s name. I personally do not say God damm it or such, but I thought just saying God to those who believe there is just one God are referring to Jehovah or Elohim the Abrahamic God. Some say Allah etc. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/374 "2009-04-25T12:35:30Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Then we part company, because why someone asks me to change my behavior is relevant to me. If someone asks me because their lord takes offense at it, then sorry, that’s not a good enough reason. > > I don’t think there is any need for further discussion. Perhaps not, but I"ll try this one more time. The relevant part of their reason for asking is that it makes them uncomfortable. Why it makes them uncomfortable, as long as it’s not related to something I find morally repugnant (keeping gay folks in the closet, e.g.) is not relevant. If you disagree with that, then yes, I’m not sure there’s a way to reconcile the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/375 "2009-04-25T13:26:15Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Perhaps not, but I"ll try this one more time. The relevant part of their reason for asking is that it makes them uncomfortable. Why it makes them uncomfortable, as long as it’s not related to something I find morally repugnant (keeping gay folks in the closet, e.g.) is not relevant. > > If you disagree with that, then yes, I’m not sure there’s a way to reconcile the difference. So why they ask it is not entirely irrelevant, because they may have some morally objectionable reason for asking? Like - if they said, “Please don’t talk to black people in my presence.” And you infer from their statement that they have some belief system which you don’t share and you feel no need to respect those beliefs by changing your behavior. Ok then. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/376 "2009-04-25T13:51:10Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > Saying Hey you over there, or man or there, is not using the name of your Father. I do not think God’s name is God. Many religions have different names for their God. Even (as I understand it the Jewish people had a couple of names for God. > > The word God does not reference His name any more than the word Father is your father’s name. > > I personally do not say God damm it or such, but I thought just saying God to those who believe there is just one God are referring to Jehovah or Elohim the Abrahamic God. Some say Allah etc. I’m just _gotta_ try that line of reasoning soon: Me-“God damn it!” He-“I am offended when you take my Lord’s name in vain.” Me-“You misunderstand me-I was referring to Odin.” He-“So sorry-carry on, then.” ---
**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 25, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/377 "2009-04-25T15:28:17Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > “Please don’t talk to black people in my presence.” If you truly believe that this is equivalent to someone asking you (politely, again, I think that’s an important distinction) to not take the Lord’s name in vain in their presence, then you’re right, there is no need for further discussion. ---
**Author:** ![costa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@costa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/costa)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/378 "2009-05-02T23:26:07Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I did NOT forget the periods. I declined to use them. You’re thinking that **costa** ’s style is born of a conscious, cummingsesque choice, when it is far more likely that he/she simply does not know the rules of English usage, and thus punctuates and capitalizes randomly. Ipassed my englsh class in school.I got high enough in military to be under stood.i can be understoodin chinese,japanese .and coloquel english.my gutter englich can be understood well edl enough to cause a tremor when needed."i sign my checks withan x but they cash them all the same…from a song. .but i doint take my lords name in vain.ayo o theos. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/379 "2009-05-03T01:15:56Z")
I try not to around people it might offend, but if I slipped and they asked politely yes I’d refrain. And I’d probably apologize (not a foot kissing but “I’m very sorry”). ---
**Author:** ![costa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@costa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/costa)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590/380 "2009-05-04T17:04:35Z")
I assume the writerof that sentence wass joshing.if not.and i was in his presence.I would treat him the same as if he did that to my country’s flag.when he gets up,i would do it again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590.md?page=20)