OMG! (Oh my Gandhi!): Redeeming Blasphemy

26 CommentsAbnormal Evangelism Ideas, Ev Tips/Tools

If you must use some sort of exclamation to express disgust, extreme excitement or disappointment, may I suggest an alternative to the standard “Oh my G-d!”

Try this: “Oh my Ghandi!” It’s only one syllable longer and will definitely turn heads. This one, too, is great: “Oh my Buddha!” You’re sure to be the life of the party with that one. When visiting Hollywood, you can always try the unwieldy, but effective, “Oh my L. Ron Hubbard!”

buddhaIn our evangelism efforts we use the Ten Commandments as God’s standard when asking people if they have sinned against him or not. If they have, then they are guilty and deserve Hell. We then explain Christ’s sacrificial death on a cross and how if one trusts in his finished work and repents of their sin, one may be saved.

One of the questions we ask a “sinner” is: Have you ever misused God’s name? Misusing His name is blasphemy and God will not hold anyone guiltless who does that. Sadly, many Christians do that all the time and are not even aware they’re doing it by using phrases such as “Oh my G-d!” or texting “OMG.”

So let’s try it. You hit your pinky with a hammer and exclaim: “Oh my Joseph Smith!” Good. Good.

Let’s try another. Someone just stole your wallet: “Oh my Longhorns!!!” (These days, sports are god to many people.) You’regod_saraswati rolling now.

Let’s try an Indian god after you stubbed your toe: “Oh my Saraswati-Ashtottara!”

If you really want to be bold, go to the middle east and shout “Oh my Muha—!” Oh, never mind. You don’t want to lose your head over that one.

If someone protests and asks you why you are using these names as exclamations, simply reply, “Because I do not want to misuse the name of my God. Have you ever misused God’s name?”

You’ll know where to go from there.

*********

Did you know there are other variations of blasphemy? (Click here to read a very insightful article about those variations.)

Comments (26)

    • T

      Reply

      Cause she makes a valid point, you tool. “Oh my g-d” should NOT be a form of expression. Its a name for crying out loud. Theres plenty of other real words in the english dictionary. You sound like a simple idiot that is easily influenced by society. One idiot starts something, the other idiot follows.

  3. Patrick

    Reply

    But when you say J—- C—-! you are not really using his real name, so is it then not okay?

      • vintango2k

        Yep! Thought crime must be punished whenever it manifests Steve =)

      • Patrick

        Well actually Steve L, that is not the issue at all. I am not thinking about some person that may or may have not lived 2000 years ago. Or even that I am cursing at “God”. Actually now a days I usually say “cheese and rice” but my point is that usually when I say it is when I need assistance dealing with idiots or a tough situation and not as a curse towards anyone. Same can be said for OMG. It is not cursing God but calling out to him for help. for example: “OMG, can this guy be anymore closeminded?” or “OMG, did he just cut me off and give me the bird at the same time?”

        On a side note. I don’t think the writers of the Bible had the same definition of “vain” as we do. I don’t think they meant don’t use God’s name ,which we haven’t used yet (Yaweh), in an empty way but don’t use his name for your own agenda. Like putting words in his (non-existent) mouth. Proclaiming that “He” said something which clearly he did not. Well, sorry to go on my own tirade here but nothing in the Bible is written first hand by Jesus or God, but that is besides the point.

        Good day.

      • perdita

        I don’t think the writers of the Bible had the same definition of “vain” as we do. I don’t think they meant don’t use God’s name ,which we haven’t used yet (Yaweh), in an empty way but don’t use his name for your own agenda.

        I didn’t see this point. My prior comment was made with the understanding that using God’s name in vain was calling on God in an empty way.

      • Steve L.

        Patrick wrote:
        “But when you say J—- C—-! you are not really using his real name, so is it then not okay?” “I am not thinking about some person that may or may have not lived 2000 years ago.”

        Patrick:
        Speaking without thinking is like shooting without taking aim!
        Please tell me, is your mind completely blank when you utter the words, “jc or omg?” I certainly hope not!

        You also said, “Same can be said for OMG. It is not cursing God but calling out to him for help. for example: “OMG, can this guy be anymore closeminded?” or “OMG, did he just cut me off and give me the bird at the same time?”
        How would God’s help be of any use with the examples you sited above?

        Man!! Almost makes me feel like screaming,”Cheese and rice!”

      • Patrick

        Steve L. : “Speaking without thinking is like shooting without taking aim!”

        I guess you didn’t really read what I wrote. I didn’t say that I was not thinking… period. I guess you are reading without thinking. You only read the first four words of the sentence.

        “God help me.” has been around for a long time. Sorry that you have never heard of it before. In theory calling on God’s help will help you to calm your mind and emotions and not lash out at the person doing the misdeed or doing you harm.

    • perdita

      Reply

      But when you say J—- C—-! you are not really using his real name, so is it then not okay?

      It is not cursing God but calling out to him for help. for example: “OMG, can this guy be anymore closeminded?” or “OMG, did he just cut me off and give me the bird at the same time?”

      Patrick, I thought you were the believer. Yet I can’t imagine the above comments being made by a believer – either sincerely or jokingly.

      Assuming you’re a believer and were not trying to be funny:

      No, the initials JC (assuming that’s what you meant) aren’t sufficiently euphemistic enough to not be blasphemy from someone who believes Jesus Christ is God.

      No, “OMG that guy flipped me the bird” is not asking for help and those examples would be covered under “using God’s name in vain”.

      • Patrick

        I am not a believer. Which part of the definition of “vain” are we using?

      • Patrick

        Peridita,

        “omg, did he just… same time?” is an internal dialogue and question. Not a question to God, asking him to help me with the guy that flipped me the bird. More or less that one would be a statement of disbelief.

        Ah whatever, I don’t care anymore. All this pointless arguing with people that I don’t have any interest in is getting to me.

      • perdita

        As I said, I wasn’t sure if you were the beleiver or not and my comments would only apply if you were a believer.

        Which part of the definition of “vain” are we using?

        I was using the ’empty of substance, devoid of meaning’ definition that I later found out you don’t think applies here.

      • perdita

        All this pointless arguing with people that I don’t have any interest in is getting to me.

        I didn’t realize we were arguing and I didn’t realize you had no interest here.

  4. vintango2k

    Reply

    “Oh my Ghandi”?

    I guess that works… I mean some people consider him a holy man because he was more Christ-like than just about any Christian you’ll encounter. =)

    • Steve L.

      Reply

      His outward appearance and the acts he performed made him look good to the casual observer! The real question is, what was the attitude of his heart?

  5. Bizzle

    Reply

    Steve,

    Texting OMG isn’t really blasphemous. My aunt, who is new to texting (in her 50s after all), has said Well Oh My Goodness since I can remember. Now she texts Well OMG.

  6. Jake

    Reply

    Hi,

    Thanks for the article.

    I’m christian and was wondering if you knew or though if using the initials JC to refer to Jesus Christ is blasphemous.

    I’m an artist and was thinking of using ‘JC IS LORD’ in an artwork but don’t want to if it offends God.

    Thanks,

    Jake

  7. David Grosse

    Reply

    I know you’re more concerned with being insulting of others’ beliefs than being concerned about theological accuracy, but Joseph Smith, Buddha, L. Ron Hubbard, Gandhi, even Muhammad were not considered “God” by their respective faiths. Please continue to be intentionally hurtful in your treatment of others but with an eye to factual insults, too. No one will confuse you with someone who is Christ-like but at least they will know you studied the folks you are attacking.

    I only bring this up because my God watches how we treat our Brothers and Sisters more than he cares about how we treat His name in passing conversation.

    • Steve Sanchez

      Reply

      David, thank you for your comment. I know the names I provided are not gods, just names. It was meant as a satirical article. Sorry you missed the point. But thanks!

      • David Grosse

        Oh no, I get the satire of the article and the point you were trying to make: a good replacement for using your God’s name in vain is to use others’ Gods’ in vain in order to show them the love of Christ and the inate goodness of your faith. As you say, it’s an evangelical effort.

        The question remains, did you get my point? I don’t recall in Sunday School the part about going on the attack when your values are being attacked (even unintentionally as those using the Lord”s name in vain often do). I do remember a 70 times 7 reference but it was lost when the Spirit left as I was reading this article. I’m just not sure how many Mormons you plan on saving by making fun of Joseph Smith, how many Scientologists will see the light of Christ in you as you ridicule L. Ron Hubbard.

        It’s kind of witty satire. If you are not Christian and this is bashing all religions equally, then I get it. If you are a Christian trying to spread the Gospel, I don’t think anyone you come in contact with will.

        Thanks for replying!

  8. Ryk

    Reply

    I say “By Jove”. It is a blasphemy against Zeus, technically but unlike the Christian deity Zeus does not object to that. I don’t believe Zeus is any more real than the Christian myth figure but if I’m going to invoke a deity I prefer Zeus for a number of reasons.
    1. Doing so doesn’t offend my Christian friends, my Christian friends are aware of my atheism and even my antitheism but respect my non belief even while evangelizing me, so I endeavor to respect their beliefs even while making the case that their religion is false.
    2. It is much more innovative and classy than ” Oh my God” which is primarily used by teenagers and idiots.
    3. Zeus is pretty cool.

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