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Profanity
http://forum.hrwiki.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6304		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  Ian911299 [ Mon Dec 19, 2005 3:28 am ]
Post subject:  Profanity
Okay, there's something I've been wondering about here.

The Forum Rules say:

"...No foul language. This includes the word 'Hell' (except as used to describe the place), any words containing sexual innuendo, and any words used to describe excrement other than 'crap', 'manure', 'excrement', and any others of its nature that are brought to our attention..."

I've seen people using "God" as exclamations a lot, such as "Oh God!", "Oh my God!", etc.

Now I am assuming that this place is supposed to have the same profanity margins as Homestar Runner, but you wouldn't hear "Oh my God!" used on Homestar Runner. Mods and admins never seem to get after people for posting such exclamations though. Does it not count as profanity? What's the deal?

What raises my concerns is that this might offend certain people. I remember one time there was a discussion on the wiki about the "d" word, and one person said that if it could be offensive to anyone, then it shouldn't be used. Shouldn't that be the case here?
Author:  Stu [ Mon Dec 19, 2005 3:43 am ]
Post subject: 
I happen to find it offensive, but there are probably words that I use that some would consider offensive (that aren't covered under our rules). I suppose the thing you could do (since I don't know if we will be adding that to our rules, not without consulting the other admin/mods) is politely request that the offending person refrains from using language that you deem offensive.

I would be prepared to explain why you find it offensive, and I would also be prepared for whatever backlash may occur when said person reads your polite request.

:)
Author:  Ian911299 [ Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:06 am ]
Post subject: 
Stu wrote:
I happen to find it offensive, but there are probably words that I use that some would consider offensive (that aren't covered under our rules). I suppose the thing you could do (since I don't know if we will be adding that to our rules, not without consulting the other admin/mods) is politely request that the offending person refrains from using language that you deem offensive.

I would be prepared to explain why you find it offensive, and I would also be prepared for whatever backlash may occur when said person reads your polite request.

:)


Okay, thanks man!

:)
Author:  Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:20 am ]
Post subject: 
i dont see how using "God" as an exclamation would be bad. this might get a bit religious, but in the bible god Says that he has a name, and his name is Jehova. so if i were to say "ohh jehova" or "OHH JEHOVA!" then, in a case, would be , well.. bad.
Author:  Mr.KISS [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:23 am ]
Post subject: 
OMJ!

Well, if he finds it offensive just don't say it if he asks you not to, or at all.
Author:  It's dot com [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest wrote:
i dont see how using "God" as an exclamation would be bad.


I know a lot of people who would disagree with that. (I happen to be one of them.)
Author:  StrongRad [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:18 am ]
Post subject: 
It's dot com wrote:
Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest wrote:
i dont see how using "God" as an exclamation would be bad.


I know a lot of people who would disagree with that. (I happen to be one of them.)


Taking the Lord's name in vain... Bad.. More badder than saying some of the other words I say (but I don't say here)
Author:  Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:19 am ]
Post subject: 
StrongRad wrote:
It's dot com wrote:
Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest wrote:
i dont see how using "God" as an exclamation would be bad.


I know a lot of people who would disagree with that. (I happen to be one of them.)


Taking the Lord's name in vain... Bad.. More badder than saying some of the other words I say (but I don't say here)


dude...... if the lords name is god, then whats with all of the other GODS of other religions? if you read the bible, it says in there that his name is Jehova.
Author:  Jello B. [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Wow, a religious debate coming out of a thread not even intended for that purpose. I don't really see that often on the 'net.

Okay, I'll toastpaint myself.
Author:  It's dot com [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:37 am ]
Post subject: 
Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest wrote:
dude...... if the lords name is god, then whats with all of the other GODS of other religions? if you read the bible, it says in there that his name is Jehova.


There is a difference between a "god" (with a lowercase g-) and "God" (with an uppercase G-). The latter is definitely a name in most contexts. But however you capitalize it, using it as an exclamation is, to many, using his name.

Incidentally, the Bible says that God has no "real" name, because he invented names in the first place. Jehovah is a transliteration of the Hebrew consonants YHVH, which literally means "to be" (or "to exist").
Author:  StrongRad [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:47 am ]
Post subject: 
It's dot com wrote:
Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest wrote:
dude...... if the lords name is god, then whats with all of the other GODS of other religions? if you read the bible, it says in there that his name is Jehova.


There is a difference between a "god" (with a lowercase g-) and "God" (with an uppercase G-). The latter is definitely a name in most contexts. But however you capitalize it, using it as an exclamation is, to many, using his name.

Incidentally, the Bible says that God has no "real" name, because he invented names in the first place. Jehovah is a transliteration of the Hebrew consonants YHVH, which literally means "to be" (or "to exist").


Well, he DOES answer to different names, God, Allah (Arabic speaking Christians use this one, as well as Muslims, and they're referring to the same dude), Jehova, Yahweh...
Author:  Choc-o-Lardiac Arrest [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:48 am ]
Post subject: 
yeah, like me.

Yog-Sothoth, the Great Old Ones, yadda yadda
Author:  It's dot com [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
StrongRad wrote:
Well, he DOES answer to different names...


True, true. And he is called by many names, even in the Bible. (But to list them would be unbelievably off-topic, so I won't.)
Author:  Marshmallow Roast [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Ooh.
I don't want to come off the wrong way, but I don't really think it's much of a problem. If you were in the presence of a Buddhist, let's say, do you think they would be offended if you exclaimed, "OH MY GOD!!!"

And furthermore, are WE really offended when in casual conversation a person says that phrase? Or simply, if we're chatting, "omg?"

Using the/our Lord's name in vain, I believe, is far different from a simple exclamation of surprise.
Author:  Douglas [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, personally, it offends me. There can be apporpriate times to use that phrase, however, such as when you're actually talking to God or calling to him.

But ti kinda bugs me when non-Christians or people who don't even believe in God say it. I mean, according to their minds, he's not their God. They're only saying it in carelessness.
Author:  Exhibit A [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Personally I'm not offended by it, but at the same time, I can understand that some people are, and if it does offend someone, I don't think it shoul be allowed.
Author:  It's dot com [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ooh.
Chestnut Roast wrote:
Or simply, if we're chatting, "omg?"


I don't find this offensive, simply because it's easy to (in my mind) substitute "gosh" or "goodness" for the -g. That is to say, I personally wouldn't use the initials, but I can tolerate them in chat.
Author:  Stu [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
This was getting a little too "debated" to stay in the helpdesk. R&P is a little more appropriate
Author:  Dewy [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 6:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Guh... My opinion, say gorsh or goosh as a replacement for "God"

Gorsh = Way Jessica Simpson says "gosh"
Goosh = Way that my brother's Japan talk (Dont know how to spell Japanese...wait..) teacher says gosh because she = not that great at english.
Author:  Trev-MUN [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
I don't know how I feel about it. I've discovered many different views on how that commandment is interpreted.

For example, some believe (as in Judaism) that the commandment is specifically talking about falsely swearing an oath in God's name. Other interpretations I've found believe it's forbidding using God and what is holy to Him to commit crimes.

That said, I've been trying to fight the urge to say such things, whether the commandment covers profanity or not. I try to use "gourd" and other silly/lighthearted replacements instead. Not entirely successful though, but I'm trying.

As a note ... it's kind of strange how general American society (and I direct this to the Christian parts of society) places things like that lower on the "intensity" scale of profanity than say, the infamous seven dirty words of TV? It seems like it'd be the other way around.
Author:  Cobalt [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
i personally get, not "offended" but uncomfortable when people use G-d's name (the "J" word or the "Y" word or what have you) but just because i see it as an intentional affront to people like me who know you're not supposed to say it...despite the fact that neither of those are the actual correct pronunciation of the name itself. Jews have numerous other ways of referring to G-d specifically to avoid using that or other of His names besides in prayer ("Hashem" which means, literally, "the Name" is a common one, as is "Ha Kodesh BorechHu" meaning "The Holy One, Blessed Be He").

i can't think of a single other word in the entire language that offends me, though. i routinely use words that are considered among the worst in the language, because i mostly think that words themselves don't carry any power, it's the meaning behind them that's offensive.
Author:  seamusz [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Is it just me, or is it Ironic that many of the same people get offended at being wished a Merry Christmas don't understand why anyone would be offended when they take the name of God in vain? I hate it when people say, oh my god, or even omg. If people are asking those who practice a religion, or are otherwise spiritual, to be more sensitive of those who choose not to be; why is such of a big thing to ask those who could care less about God, to not screem his name when they are exited or something. On the otherhand, Im not surprised that so many people who don't believe in God profane, due to the fact that so many people who do believe in God do it on a regular basis as well.

On a side note, Trev-Mun, I am the same way. I would much rather hear the "F-bomb" than any form of God's name used disrespectively.
Author:  Prof. Tor Coolguy [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Profanity
Ian911299 wrote:
Okay, there's something I've been wondering about here.

The Forum Rules say:

"...No foul language. This includes the word 'Hell' (except as used to describe the place), any words containing sexual innuendo, and any words used to describe excrement other than 'crap', 'manure', 'excrement', and any others of its nature that are brought to our attention..."

I've seen people using "God" as exclamations a lot, such as "Oh God!", "Oh my God!", etc.

Now I am assuming that this place is supposed to have the same profanity margins as Homestar Runner, but you wouldn't hear "Oh my God!" used on Homestar Runner. Mods and admins never seem to get after people for posting such exclamations though. Does it not count as profanity? What's the deal?

What raises my concerns is that this might offend certain people. I remember one time there was a discussion on the wiki about the "d" word, and one person said that if it could be offensive to anyone, then it shouldn't be used. Shouldn't that be the case here?


I prefer to take the Napoleon Dynamite way out, heave a sigh and say "GOSH!" or "FLIPPIN IDIOT", it keeps things safe for the kidlets here at the forums.
Author:  Einoo T. Spork [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
L'homme du Neige wrote:
But ti kinda bugs me when non-Christians or people who don't even believe in God say it. I mean, according to their minds, he's not their God. They're only saying it in carelessness.



Yeah, I've been trying to stop myself from doing it. It's hypocritical.

Of course, you could always follow Bender's lead and go "Oh your God," but that's just silly, really (just like most of the stuff Bender does :) )
Author:  Mr.KISS [ Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Einoo T. Spork wrote:
L'homme du Neige wrote:
But ti kinda bugs me when non-Christians or people who don't even believe in God say it. I mean, according to their minds, he's not their God. They're only saying it in carelessness.



Yeah, I've been trying to stop myself from doing it. It's hypocritical.

Of course, you could always follow Bender's lead and go "Oh your God," but that's just silly, really (just like most of the stuff Bender does :) )


Well, they're saying "Oh my god". So, that's not really refering to any god inparticular is it? Just the god you believe in.
Author:  Dark Grapefruit [ Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:36 am ]
Post subject: 
^ But Einoo doesn't believe in any god. Neither do I and I say it too. >.> It's just... an idiom or something to me, I guess. Just something you say.
Author:  spywaremagnet [ Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:39 am ]
Post subject: 
It's not the WORDS that are bad, it's the MEANING!

No one here seems to recognize this...
Author:  Dark Grapefruit [ Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:46 am ]
Post subject: 
Well, it sort of is the words themselves too. crap means the same thing as crap, but one is censored here and one is not. It's all in what you percieve to be offensive.
Author:  Groovy Dudette [ Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:55 am ]
Post subject: 
I personally believe that the phrase "Oh my God" is something that should be said during prayer only. I believe His name is holy and I think it is disrespectful to God Himself when it is said carelessly.

I know a lot of people who say it...and it is said ALL the time...but I believe it is offensive. Not just for me but for God himself.
Author:  Cobalt [ Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:00 am ]
Post subject: 
spywaremagnet wrote:
It's not the WORDS that are bad, it's the MEANING!

No one here seems to recognize this...


i do! :p
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