The problem is that Bill is not asking us if we wouldn’t mind refraining from using the word in private conversations with him–he is asking us not to do it period. Sorry, but the world does not revolve around Bill and anyone else who thinks like him.
I respect that it offends him and would try my best not to use offensive terminology in conversations with him. However, I am not going to change my pattern of speaking or my choice of vocabulary just because someone in the vicinity may overhear me.
So far as the posting board goes, it is the same situation. Anyone who does not like someone’s particular choice of terminology is free to not read any of their posts and/or not read the boards at all.
And BTW, Euty I am going to start using the phrase “L. Ron f**kin’ Hubbard” in everyday conversation!
Wildest Bill: While I’ll of course do my level best to avoid using profanity around people who take offense, I can’t accept that I’m under any moral obligation to seek anyone’s approval of the words I use in private.
If I take your Lord’s name in vain - and I probably do quite often, by your definition - I believe that’s more or less between the Lord and me. If He has a problem with that, I’m sure He’ll let me know. As it is, He hasn’t presented me with compelling evidence that He even exists, but that’s another debate.
If I come across as a bit aggressive, it’s because I really do not appreciate being told that there are things I couldn’t or shouldn’t say. Last time I checked, freedom of speech was a human right, while “freedom from being offended” was not.
Now…do you think your god is pleased with you because you appointed yourself his language police?
You don’t tell me how to talk and I won’t tell you what to believe in.
“…Oh yeah, that Wildest Bill guy, he’s got a special seat here in heaven cuz he defends my name and spreads the word about me…blah blah blah…”
Religion is the root of all the planet’s problems. The sooner people figure that out, the better off we’ll be.
My personal favorite curse is “Christ on a crutch.” I assume that Wildest Bill doesn’t approve. Neither does my daughter (who uses crutches). Then I tease her, saying, “At least I didn’t say ‘crippled Christ on a crutch’ – be grateful.”
However, “L. Ron F-ing Hubbard” and “Zeus on a Zither” made me start thinking about variations on my favorite.
How about “Buddha on a boogie-board.” Or, let’s see, “Allah on an alligator.” Maybe, “Mother-Goddess on a motorcycle.” Hmmm, maybe not. I do like “Buddha on a boogie-board” though, I think I’ll use it next time I feel the need to curse. Unless, Wildest Bill is next to me. In that case I would say "jumped-up Jesus F-ing CHRIST! just to be obnoxious.
Give me an example of a problem religion caused? Look hard at even the most clear cut ones, it usually comes down to population pressure or unequal distribution of resources.
If God Damn is using the Lord’s name in Vain (‘God, please damn this person’), Then isn’t ‘God Bless’ Taking the Lord’s name in Vain, for the exact same reason?
This statement makes absolutely no sense what so ever unless you go around wishing God would actually send people to Hell. Man do you really hate somebody that much? I mean I am sure you have heard the expression “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy(cancer or something)” but you would wish someone to eternal fire. That is cold man. I hope I am never your enemy. But I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you don’t really mean that and when you use the word gd you are just using it uselessly for lack of a better one at the time. But the words “God Bless” unless you are using it uselessly also means just what is says to ask God to actually bless something or someone.
The crusades is an excellent example - Europe goes on a pludering mission on North Africa, and uses god as an excuse. The cause here was greed, not religion. The inquisiton was a powerplay by the dominant church - if you want to enforce your position, have anyone who disagrees with you tortured as a heretic. Again, very little to do with religion. If you like at the witch burning trials, this also had more to do with a male dominated church keeping women in their place than anything else. Basically religion can be used as an excellent excuse for something - the Bible in particular can be used to justify most anything. That’s a long way from people actually doing it because of religion.
Wildest Bill, exactly when did God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim, El, Adonai, El-Shaddai, or whatever else He calls himself
tell YOU to police the world’s language? Don’t you think it’s a tad arrogant to think that YOU, Wildest Bill, have the authority to tell other people how to speak? And don’t hand me that “God says” bull, either. If God is so worried about it, let Him tell me. But you do not have that authority. Who made you God’s mouthpiece? Been listening to any burning bushes lately? Did a voice speak from a whirlwind, as God spoke to Job? Did God make you a prophet? Will “The Book of Wildest Bill” be added to the Bible? If not, I suggest you just learn to tolerate words and thoughts you dislike. Toughen up.
Frankly, asking God to take sides in a football game is a far greater blasphemy than swearing.
FYI, I don’t swear on this board or ever in real life. I find I can be creatively nasty without swearing, which I tend to reserve for when I stub my toe or miss the last Metro for the night.