Jump to content

Use Of The Phrase God Dammit


Non-Redneck

Recommended Posts

From the age of 12 or so, I would use the phrase "God dammit" quite a bit. I continued using it even when I was Christian (though I felt guilty and tried hard to stop). Now my parents and family did not use it (at least not in front of me), neither did most of my classmates or friends, and I hardly ever saw movies or shows using the phrase. So why did I use it?

 

I think I have figured this out. I believe that I realized subconsciously even at the age of 12 that the concept of "God" was fucking me up. Cursing "God" (yahweh) was a natural reaction to the abuse of Christianity. My subconscious knew that this God/Christian/Church was evil, even though my conscious mind didn't make the connection. The evolutionary instinct for survival must have been warning me about religion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought "god dammit" was asking the god to curse something, not cursing him. I've heard the argument that it was cursing him, or at the least "taking his name in vain", which I found silly, since "god" is a job description, not a name. But I suppose that's the pagan in me.

Maybe it's also considered arrogant to request god's wrath upon others, but then, lots of christians do that in other ways, and think it's ok.

Language is a weird thing. But I thought if I were "cursing god", I'd say something more like "fuck you Jehovah, and the cherub you rode in on, assface."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought "god dammit" was asking the god to curse something, not cursing him. I've heard the argument that it was cursing him, or at the least "taking his name in vain", which I found silly, since "god" is a job description, not a name. But I suppose that's the pagan in me.

 

Indeed, "god dammit" is technically suggesting that god curse something. For it to be cursing god, it would have to be "damn god" or some equivalent.

 

You are also correct regarding "taking his name in vain." The actual command was against "taking the name of the LORD (YHWH in Hebrew) your God in vain." If you're not using the name Yahweh, then you're not taking the name in vain, plain and simple. "God" is just a title, like "king," "prince," "governor," "president," etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

President damn it! :wicked:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, different cultures do have phrases that curse God. The Italians have "God is a pig", which is something you're supposed to cry out when something horrible has happened (e.g. your house burned down with your family inside).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Italians have "God is a pig"

 

Ah, so Miss Piggy runs the universe! ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cerridwen is described as the "Great Mother Sow"....but that's supposed to be a good thing, since, ya know, momma pigs are fierce protectors. Just fyi from one of the resident pagan nerds. :woohoo:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines.