Religion in our language

[Eleutherios]

I admit it, I use pseudo-religious language all the time without even noticing it. Sometimes when someone says something I agree with, I say "amen to that!" If something good happens to me, I might say "thank God!" If I'm surprised, I might exclaim "holy Jesus!" And if I stub my toe, I might shout "God damn it all to Hell!" The English language has developed in almost exclusively Christian societies for centuries, and Christian phrases have crept in all over our language. It's hard not to use them, and although I have been trying to secularize my speech, I still utter these kinds of things every day. Does anybody else have the same problem, or do you think it doesn't really matter since obviously one is not trying to promote religious doctrines when one says such things?

[Sadena Meti]

It's impossible to make linguistics "politically correct". Just live with it. It's only language.

Best example:

Goodbye.

God'b'w'ye (God Be With You)

[Eleutherios]

But surely we can get rid of some of the obviously religious phrases we use? Like the stupid "bless you" that everyone says when somebody sneezes. I prefer "Gesundheit" (German for "health") instead.

[anomaly]

I usually hear Salud for that in school...or the shitty bless you.

But anyway, if you say "god damn it", then I see no problem. It is only when you think you're talking about a real person/thing that you have a problem. ;)

[Sadena Meti]

Originally posted by [email protected] 9 2006, 10:33 PM
But surely we can get rid of some of the obviously religious phrases we use? Like the stupid "bless you" that everyone says when somebody sneezes. I prefer "Gesundheit" (German for "health") instead.
Interestingly, both expressions came about at the same time. I can't remember what disease it was, but some illness which had, amonst other things, sniffling and sneezing, was very leathal. So people started saying things when they heard sneezes.

Not relevant, but interesting (to me at least). Plus, bless isn't an overtly religious word. Can't recall it's origin at the moment. Just doesn't ask a frenchman to bless you (blesser = to hurt)

[Sadena Meti]

Plus in this day of neurotic fear of germs, "bless you" will soon be replaced with "AHH!!! GET AWAY FROM ME!!!"

[LSD]

Eh, who gives a fuck?

I use religous-y language all the time and I was practically raised atheist. Remember, the real believers don't use "God's name in vain", so people who say "Jesus Christ" or "godddamnit" a lot are probably less likely to be fundie types than those creepy motherfuckers who say shit like "heck" and "gosh".

Besides, in many languages it's pretty much impossible not to use religious or religious-based words. In French, for example, (especially Quebec French) you litterally cannot swear properly without referencing baptisms and tabernacles.

Callisse tabernac!

[violencia.Proletariat]

LSD, your forgot about "gah" instead of god. That has to be the single most annoying thing in the history of language.

[afrikaNOW]

It's real funny to me when proclaimed athiests, say "Oh God" or "Lord help me", or some other phrase when they are not really aware. :)

[Tetsuo]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10 2006, 08:18 AM
It's real funny to me when proclaimed athiests, say "Oh God" or "Lord help me", or some other phrase when they are not really aware. :)
Funny how? What are we, some kind of clown, here to amuse you? ;)

I mean, if trip on the curb and shout "Ah, fuck!" it doesn't mean I'm planning to hump the pavement, does it?

[Sadena Meti]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10 2006, 02:30 AM
I mean, if trip on the curb and shout "Ah, fuck!" it doesn't mean I'm planning to hump the pavement, does it?
How am I going to get that image out of my head...

[ichneumon]

y'all can't get rid of it, but i did - i'll say "lord", but not "god" or "jesus" as an expletive. and the "lord" refers to buddha. you could try swearing by lenin or something. "sweet marx on a motorcycle!". imagine the possibilities.

(why is it that most leftists totally lack a sense of humor?)

More interesting is the idea of "believing in" something, which has two different meanings- one, that the thing exists, the other that you support that thing. "i believe in santa" and "i believe in democracry" are completely different.

for instance, i believe in god, in that i accept that some form of superpowerful entity such as that most likely exists somewhere. but i don't *worship* god. this is actually more fun when talking to a jesusfreak than the standard route. they can't process it at all.

in all honesty, linguistic analysis only produces more words, not more information. if you want to *communicate*, look for the meaning and intent behind the words.

on the other paw, it's NOT "only language". consider the meaning of "Black" in english - White women can have Black babies, but Black women can't have White babies. Because "Black" means "impure". one drop. consider than we don't even have a word for the color of the skin tone of northern europeans. (off-white?). language has the power to constrain and direct thinking. if you are so committed to revolution, why can't you change your speech habits?

[Comrade J]

Originally posted by rev-stoic+Aug 10 2006, 04:07 AM--> (rev-stoic @ Aug 10 2006, 04:07 AM)
[email protected] 9 2006, 10:33 PM
But surely we can get rid of some of the obviously religious phrases we use? Like the stupid "bless you" that everyone says when somebody sneezes. I prefer "Gesundheit" (German for "health") instead.
Interestingly, both expressions came about at the same time. I can't remember what disease it was, but some illness which had, amonst other things, sniffling and sneezing, was very leathal. So people started saying things when they heard sneezes.

Not relevant, but interesting (to me at least). Plus, bless isn't an overtly religious word. Can't recall it's origin at the moment. Just doesn't ask a frenchman to bless you (blesser = to hurt) [/b]
People used to believe a sneeze was your soul trying to escape, so saying 'bless you' made it go back.

[Tetsuo]

Originally posted by Comrade [email protected] 10 2006, 10:39 PM
People used to believe a sneeze was your soul trying to escape, so saying 'bless you' made it go back.
No, that's Milhouse off the Simpsons :P ;)

IIRC, "God Bless You" dates back to when getting sick generally meant you stood a good chance of dying, not necessarily any specific illness.

[Janus]

Besides, in many languages it's pretty much impossible not to use religious or religious-based words. In French, for example, (especially Quebec French) you litterally cannot swear properly without referencing baptisms and tabernacles.
Yeah, one of the guest speakers (who happened to be from Quebec) mentioned that in our French class. :lol:

Anyways, language is decided on by the winners and it is constantly changing. Who knows, perhaps in the future we will no longer use these religious words in normal language. But really, it's not too much of a concern at this point when we have religion itself to deal with.

[Comrade J]

Originally posted by Tetsuo+Aug 10 2006, 09:56 PM--> (Tetsuo @ Aug 10 2006, 09:56 PM)
Comrade [email protected] 10 2006, 10:39 PM
People used to believe a sneeze was your soul trying to escape, so saying 'bless you' made it go back.
No, that's Milhouse off the Simpsons :P ;)

IIRC, "God Bless You" dates back to when getting sick generally meant you stood a good chance of dying, not necessarily any specific illness. [/b]
In ancient times, people often believed the body was composed of vapours and gases that kept both your physical and spiritual self alive. Also, people believed sneezing might allow Satan and Demons to corrupt your soul as sneezing made it temporarily leave the body... there are lots of theories as to why people say it.

My point had much more to it than just Millhouse on the Simpsons, it's a very old superstition! :P