"oh My God" A Mortal Sin?

[rosco22]

It's a hard habit to try and break... even when I catch myself, the cheesiness of "gosh" deters my efforts, and I become lazy. I guess I should find out if I'm mortally sinning at every utterance... I don't say G.D. or take Jesus' name in vain. "Oh my God" or "Oh God" is the extent of that particular vice.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

If this is a habit where you are "catching" yourself, I cannot see how you are giving full consent of the will.

[Groo the Wanderer]

It can be, if uttered in a habitual, profane, non-chalant, or irreverent manner.

Twould be a very good think to break oneself of this habit, if it has become one.

I usually try to stay away from saying 'God' or 'Jesus' at all, unless I am speaking to Him or about Him....

[Maggyie]

Yes, this does not look like mortal sin material to me Maybe not even venial, since again it sounds like an involuntary habit - more like an imperfection. A good priest confessor would be able to help you get a handle on whether a particular sin is mortal or not.

My advice is to not try to puzzle it out yourself or you'll drive yourself up the wall. Find a good priest to confess to regularly and take his advice about things like this, and don't even question what he says, he's right!

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

He is catching himself, which seems to imply it is a thoughtless action. It is good that you are trying to rid yourself of this rosco.

Edited April 4, 2007 by thedude

[ironmonk]

It is good that you are catching yourself, so you are not giving full consent....

But at the same time, it is important to remember that using the Lord's Name in vain is worse than lying, murder, adultery, etc...

[b]St. Matt 22:36 [/b]
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
[b]37 [/b]He said to him, "[color="#FF0000"]You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.[/color]
[b]38 [/b][color="#FF0000"]This is the greatest and the first commandment. [/color]


Our society has done a very good job of brainwashing us into thinking words are just combinations of letters and are powerless.


[b]St. Matt 12:36 [/b]
[color="#FF0000"]I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. [/color]
[b]37 [/b][color="#FF0000"]By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.[/color]"


Words carry much power. In the Old Testament days we would be stoned to death for even saying the Name of God.

There is a great evil that fills our tv's and radios... the first commandment is constantly being broken.

These things help me think about what I say more before I say it. I hope these verses can help you remember and maybe help others too.

God Bless... Prayer, Confession, and Perseverance bro,
ironmonk

Edited April 4, 2007 by ironmonk

[Hirsap]

To take God's name in vain is objectively grave matter, and if done with sufficient reflection and full consent of the will, would be a formal sin (i.e.: an actual mortal sin).

Edited April 4, 2007 by Hirsap

[cathoholic_anonymous]

"Goodness!" That's what I usually say when I'm startled or shocked.

It took me less than a week to break myself of saying, "Oh my God." I was fifteen. I just said it because everyone else was saying it. I hadn't realised how wrong it was to invoke God's name over some a spillage of orange juice. My method was to pray about it, savour the beauty of using His name in prayer, and then realising that I didn't want to say it in any other way. Ever.

[I'm Mr. Snikkers]

I don't say things like that.

[thessalonian]

Call upon the name of the Lord. In a positive way, to help you overcome faults. He will defend you.

[iggyjoan]

say stuff like "coagulated milk PUFFS!" when you're angry. the cheesieness (no punn intended) will cheer u up.


at least it cheers me up.

[Phoenix Reborn]

I usually just say 'blast' or 'holy crud.' I don't say 'oh my gosh' a whole lot...

[iggyjoan]

yeah sometimes i just say 'carp.'

Edited April 4, 2007 by iggyjoan

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='Cathoholic Anonymous' post='1229388' date='Apr 4 2007, 12:59 PM']"Goodness!" That's what I usually say when I'm startled or shocked.[/quote]

That's what I usually say, too.

If that doesn't work, make up a word, like my grandmother did (she said satacat, don't ask me why), or when you do slip, try to find something in that situation that you can praise God about.

Oh, and one of my friends says random vegetables now.

Anyway, my £.02

Edited April 4, 2007 by Archaeology cat

[Proud2BCatholic139]

It is a mortal sin for saying the most naughty words, but saying omg, out of shock, it is venial...

[xTrishaxLynnx]

[quote name='Cathoholic Anonymous' post='1229388' date='Apr 4 2007, 06:59 AM']"Goodness!" That's what I usually say when I'm startled or shocked.

It took me less than a week to break myself of saying, "Oh my God." I was fifteen. I just said it because everyone else was saying it. I hadn't realised how wrong it was to invoke God's name over some a spillage of orange juice. My method was to pray about it, savour the beauty of using His name in prayer, and then realising that I didn't want to say it in any other way. Ever.[/quote]


[quote name='iggyjoan' post='1229520' date='Apr 4 2007, 12:14 PM']say stuff like "coagulated milk PUFFS!" when you're angry. the cheesieness (no punn intended) will cheer u up.
at least it cheers me up.[/quote]

I say stuff like "coagulated milk AND CRACKERS!" Until a couple of years ago I was still saying "Oh my God." But like Cathoholic Anonymous, it only took me like a week or two to break that habit. I started with saying "Oh my Gosh" because I wasn't catching myself til mid-sentence. Eventually that seemed like it was still too close to taking the Lord's name in vain and I started saying stuff like "Oh my lanta" or other creative, non-offensive things.

Now that I've stopped myself from saying things like that, I'm trying to break my sister of the habit. I point it out to her every time she says "Oh my God" by saying "Oh your what?" and she goes "Gosh?"

If I could only get her to say "Oh my lanta" or something instead...

[xTrishaxLynnx]

[quote name='Phoenix Reborn' post='1229529' date='Apr 4 2007, 12:19 PM']I usually just say 'blast' or 'holy crud.' I don't say 'oh my gosh' a whole lot...[/quote]

Hahah! BLAST! ... I like that.

My friend and I say "holy canoli" or "holy hannaford."

[Phoenix Reborn]

[quote name='Phoenix Reborn' post='1229529' date='Apr 4 2007, 09:19 AM']I usually just say 'blast' or 'holy crud.' I don't say 'oh my gosh' a whole lot...[/quote]

And also 'holy smokes!' or just 'smokes...'

[cmotherofpirl]

When I say "O my God" I am referring something to God that has come to my attention,
such as car accidents etc. I consider it a prayer. THe same as saying "Lord have mercy".
They are the beginning phrase of a prayer.

[Dave]

I have a friend who, instead of any cuss word (not just taking the Lord's name in vain), says, "Booger!"

[prose]

I say "Holy Snap!"

[xTrishaxLynnx]

Oh snap; that's a good one! :

[goldbug16]

I just say: "Shoot!"

[Maria]

I say 'Fudge!', or 'Darn', or so on. But (just a suggestion) when you catch yourself saying OMG, you could say "Blessed be the Name of Jesus/God both now and forever."

[Ora et Labora]

[quote name='ironmonk' post='1229219' date='Apr 3 2007, 11:53 PM']It is good that you are catching yourself, so you are not giving full consent....

But at the same time, it is important to remember that using the Lord's Name in vain is worse than lying, murder, adultery, etc...

[b]St. Matt 22:36 [/b]
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
[b]37 [/b]He said to him, "[color="#FF0000"]You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.[/color]
[b]38 [/b][color="#FF0000"]This is the greatest and the first commandment. [/color]
Our society has done a very good job of brainwashing us into thinking words are just combinations of letters and are powerless.
[b]St. Matt 12:36 [/b]
[color="#FF0000"]I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. [/color]
[b]37 [/b][color="#FF0000"]By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.[/color]"
Words carry much power. In the Old Testament days we would be stoned to death for even saying the Name of God.

There is a great evil that fills our tv's and radios... the first commandment is constantly being broken.

These things help me think about what I say more before I say it. I hope these verses can help you remember and maybe help others too.

God Bless... Prayer, Confession, and Perseverance bro,
ironmonk[/quote]

oh thank you! i was wondering about this myself.

[Carnanc]

Using God's name in vain is not a mortal sin if you are trying to break the habit.

A good idea which helps me, is to come up with something specific which you will say instead.

[Ash Wednesday]

...Oh...
[size=7][color="#FF0000"][b]BOB SAGET!!!!![/b][/color][/size]

[img]http://www.voote.com/images/00014/Reg.1430.1.jpg[/img]

[Resurrexi]

Try saying frick or carp. That's what I usually say.

[Sojourner]

My mom said the other day that she had the spit scared out of her. That's the closest I've ever heard her come to cussing ...

[2xbob]

I usually go with "omg" (the letters themselves) or some combination of "carp"(oh carp, CARP, what the carp, I caught a carp... oh wait, thats fishing)

[SeekingHisPlan]

You know what cured me of saying the Lord's name carelessly? Hanging out with nuns for four days in a row. You did NOT say anything rougher than "Oh my goodness" in the presence of these women. And it's not like I did it and got blasted for it, it's just something I knew I had to watch, and being that vigilant for 4 days really helped. I will slip once in a while, but much less than I used to.

[jckinsman]

The Lords name is sacred and holy at all times. The media and movies are bathed in the phrase. A priest friend once told me to make the sign of the cross eveytime it is said in an un-holy manner. Saying "the phrase" is un-holy no matter how or when it is said,unless it is prayer! Bottom line is....if you have been saying it for a long time and you are tryng to stop and you are catching yourself before or duing saying it. That IS grace from God!................He knows what is in your heart! The two of you walk this one together! JC

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='jckinsman' post='1246291' date='Apr 16 2007, 08:34 PM']The Lords name is sacred and holy at all times. The media and movies are bathed in the phrase. A priest friend once told me to make the sign of the cross eveytime it is said in an un-holy manner. Saying "the phrase" is un-holy no matter how or when it is said,unless it is prayer! Bottom line is....if you have been saying it for a long time and you are tryng to stop and you are catching yourself before or duing saying it. That IS grace from God!................He knows what is in your heart! The two of you walk this one together! JC[/quote]

when I say it IS a prayer, why else would you say it??

[ardillacid]

[quote name='ironmonk' post='1229219' date='Apr 3 2007, 11:53 PM']But at the same time, it is important to remember that using the Lord's Name in vain is worse than lying, murder, adultery, etc...[/quote]
So you are telling me that the guy that just killed 33 people at v-tech is less of a sinner than my friends because on occasion they say oh my god? wow. that is definetly screwed up man!

[jckinsman]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1246377' date='Apr 16 2007, 08:03 PM']when I say it IS a prayer, why else would you say it??[/quote]
Hello!
We were speaking of using the lords name in an un-holy manner.( Oh MY. . . !) I think alot of people use it in all sorts of ways! I was saying that God's Holy name should only be used in prayer or when you are speaking of him, Not when your shocked, startled, freaking out or smashed your thumb. JC

[johnnydigit]

[quote name='jckinsman' post='1246291' date='Apr 16 2007, 04:34 PM']The Lords name is sacred and holy at all times. The media and movies are bathed in the phrase. A priest friend once told me to make the sign of the cross eveytime it is said in an un-holy manner. Saying "the phrase" is un-holy no matter how or when it is said,unless it is prayer! Bottom line is....if you have been saying it for a long time and you are tryng to stop and you are catching yourself before or duing saying it. That IS grace from God!................He knows what is in your heart! The two of you walk this one together! JC[/quote]

good idea! i am getting pretty sick of my family and friends saying it, so that gesture may put some more thought into their heads.

and for those trying to stop, perhaps if you learned more about the name of God in scripture, how holy it was to the Jews, the titles given to men, all the levels of offense and possible ways to offend God when you say it, you might be more inclined to stop when you realize how much it hurts Him..

personally i use "dangit" a lot. i actually am trying not to say any word at all. even with a "nicer" word, your intention is still to make an exclamation to either yourself and/or those around you. you never know what kind of influence you can have on someone, no matter how or small you think it is. maybe i'll try to, instead of *needing* to say something, talk to God about the thing that is making me want to exclaim something, but quietly to myself.

so.. i think the goal is not only to not use God's name in vain, but to go a step further and stop having to use negative exclamations altogether.

[jckinsman]

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1246939' date='Apr 17 2007, 03:49 AM']good idea! i am getting pretty sick of my family and friends saying it, so that gesture may put some more thought into their heads.

and for those trying to stop, perhaps if you learned more about the name of God in scripture, how holy it was to the Jews, the titles given to men, all the levels of offense and possible ways to offend God when you say it, you might be more inclined to stop when you realize how much it hurts Him..

personally i use "dangit" a lot. i actually am trying not to say any word at all. even with a "nicer" word, your intention is still to make an exclamation to either yourself and/or those around you. you never know what kind of influence you can have on someone, no matter how or small you think it is. maybe i'll try to, instead of *needing* to say something, talk to God about the thing that is making me want to exclaim something, but quietly to myself.

so.. i think the goal is not only to not use God's name in vain, but to go a step further and stop having to use negative exclamations altogether.[/quote]
I think that it, is used so frequently, most people are un-aware they have said it or they don't even hear it anymore! Another one I heard of was after His name is used badly say" Wait a minute here,I did not know we were praying!" Never heard a bad word from my father all my life until my sister was learning to drive. She hit the side of the garage and preceded to drive over the edge into the rose garden ( a 3 foot drop) My sister (poor thing) started crying when my father exclaimed ,"REALLY< REALLY DIRTY BIRD" We all knew he had reached his limit! My father ...He was mad!

Edited April 19, 2007 by jckinsman

[prose]

When people say "Oh My God" around me, I almost always say "You mean 'oh my gosh', right?"

It isn't rude, but it refocusses people to the use of that word.

[prose]

And on that note, that new show "Thank God You're Here" makes me cringe everytime I hear a commercial.

[jckinsman]

[quote name='prose' post='1249522' date='Apr 19 2007, 05:44 PM']And on that note, that new show "Thank God You're Here" makes me cringe everytime I hear a commercial.[/quote]
DITTO