God versus Gosh

We’ve all heard the “Oh my gosh” ubiquitous to American television shows and society in general. We also often see the acronym OMG which may or not refer to the same expression or its alternate. Let’s face it, we all know they really mean to say: Oh my God. So why don’t they just say it?

Because Christians have been taught it is wrong to take God’s name in vain. Matter of fact, it is the 3rd of the 10 commandments. Early in life, possibly in Sunday school, I was taught this. But I admit I don’t really know why it’s so bad to make reference to God. For Heaven’s sake (am I swearing?), even my mother-in-law, a kind and lovely woman who was a God-fearing Catholic, would say in French “mon doux” thus avoiding the more explicit “Mon Dieu”. She didn’t wish to be blasphemous (that is, impiously irreverent); she was a very pious woman.

Point 1: So…the first word of the 3rd commandment I was taught as a kid gives you the first clue and Rule No. 1: do no wrong which is why so many people opt for gosh. They’re hedging their bets. I think they’re probably thinking “God” but just saying “gosh” for safety’s sake. God knows what they’re really thinking.

Point 2: There’s the part in the 3rd commandment about God being His or Her name. Simply naming God is a no no. In this site it says “to use His name:
- is to bring attention to who He is (I say, the more publicity the better – no?).
- means you are acknowledging His existence (is that such a bad thing these days?).
- is to call upon the One has proclaimed who and what He is by His name.” (Well, OK – let’s move on the point number 3)

Point 3: I didn’t as a kid and I can’t honestly say now, I truly understand the “in vain” part of the commandment. So let’s think it through: in my mind, in vain means for naught or for nothing as in the expression “it was all in vain.” So this implies that when we OMG, we’re calling upon Him for nothing, and we’re wasting His time. Hence, Rule Number 3: don’t call on the Big Guy for just nothing. It’s akin to crying wolf and we all know how that ended up.

Point 4: The same site quoted above says our kind lost how to truly pronounce God’s original name but states regardless, we shouldn’t fool around with the name most of the world has come to associate with Him (or Her) as this is very serious stuff. So here’s Rule Number 4: don’t mess around with things you don’t understand. You don’t cry “Fire” in a dark theatre and you don’t OMG just for the Hell of it. You just might end up there....I guess.

Personally, I am frequently guilty of OMG'ing but haven't felt guilty or in the wrong. Usually I reserve OMG for when I’m in awe of or overwhelmed by something. For example, hearing of a horrible accident, or learning of something incredible or heart-rending, like 2004’s tsunami or the destruction of the World Trade Centre. Prior to writing this mini-essay, I never gave my use of the expression a second thought. After all, if God does exist, he must attend these or similar happenings. If God does exist, he is supposed to be love. How can I or anyone rationalize the contradictions of it all? I know, I know. This is where faith comes in.

So, do I now hedge my bets like my dear mother-in-law with her “Mon doux”? I don’t know. I’ll certainly be more aware of the history and meaning behind OMG, and no doubt will reconsider whether or to what extent I believe in the infinite self-named “I am.”