I agree with you. Taking God's name in vain is done when a uncover-jerk shows a little 'fish" card to have someone trust their integrity as a 'christian' and then steals the suckered souls' money. Amen to you.

spiider,

I agree with you completely.

All my life I've heard don't use God's name in vain, but sometimes it just pops out on it's own accord. It happens mostly when I'm in severe pain. It's not meant as disrespect.

The way I see it is, what's worse, murdering an innocent in cold blood or using God's name in vain? A murderer could NEVER say God's name in vain, yet he's a murderer. What then?

A good, basically decent person who never killed a soul, used God's name in vain sometimes, would goto Hell?

Do people see the point I'm making here? It's often made too clear cut.

That's all I can think of tonight, but I'll be watching this forum to add more and/or clarify my words if needed.

Thanks for listening and have a Merry Christmas and God Bless,

BlazeEagle

There are different kinds of "cussing." I'd put references to reproductive and excretory functions in one category, and those where we specifically invoke any of God's names in another. To speak God's name is to request his attention, and, when doing that, it's best to be polite.

I hope I'm not restating what I wrote earlier in any way, but a few new thoughts occurred to me -

While cussing can be used wrongly and/or abused or over used, sometimes it's the only way to state emotions and feelings.

Some act like cussing is the same as murder or rape, but it's not. Yes, obviously sometimes words CAN hurt, but not if used properly and when appropriate.

   I grew up in a family with a father who cursed in anger and a mother who denies the existence of such speech. As a young teenager, I gave myself permission to curse as an outlet for my anger. Never at anyone in an abusive tirade as my father.
   An acting professor of mine once said cursing is, 'like seasoning.' Not wrong or right, but keeps our speech from being bland & boring. It conveys feeling and passion of life and thought.
   I have sometimes wondered if any of Jesus disciples, out in a boat all day casting their nets with no success, ever cursed in frustration. On the flip side, I wonder if they cursed in amazement after a non-productive day of fishing suddenly changes into a boat overflowing with fish.
   I feel God would rather us let out our anger in a safe and managed way, rather than hold it in and damage our spirit.
   Peace out!

Wow, how refreshing to hear the bulk of these views. :-)

Great article Pam. Thanks. God has been removing bitterness and hate from my heart, but not passion. For some people my saying "Dude, you need to get your crap together." isn't strong enough;You know.I need another word. We have been duped by the 'Jesus wants you to be nice' crowd. Nice does not tell the truth. Nice does not make waves. Nice does not get dirty. Nice does not speak up. Nice does whatever is necessary to LOOK dignified and respectable but often fails to do the right thing.
The nice people's opinions (thankfully) are not the ones that really matter.

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To Erin and all -

I don't believe God "sits on a throne of God". I believe that puts God in a harsher stance then is needed and necessary.

Yes, God is likely looking down at us, but in a warm, caring why. God is like a warm hearted parent, not an iron fisted judge. Yes, even warm hearted parent's sometimes punish their children but not in an iron fisted, harsh way.