Discussion: Should the words 'gosh' and 'gee' be banned for TAW members?

[Matrona]

Absolutely not. I think that's crazy, JMHO. Maybe we should just go whole hog and ban the feeling of "surprise", since it represents a failure to accept the Divine Will over our own!

 

[Protoevangel]

As far as I am concerned, the thread has run it's course. It looks to me that the answer to Aria's OP question is a resounding "no". That's fine. Personally, I am more interested in suggesting the voluntary abstaining from using the word(s).

If people are so comfortable with the words, then what can I say, I am no one's Spiritual Father. However, I do think the defense so far, for using the words, has been extremely weak. If anyone has anything of substance to put forward to suggest that using the words is not a form of irreverence to God's name, even while knowing their origin and current meaning, I would still be interested in hearing it.

 

[Michael G]

Ban them, they are a form of taking the Lord's name in vain.

 

[Oblio]

How many of us honestly would correct a brother who at coffee hour said something like ' ...gee, I don't think that is what happened ...' ??

The bottom line is that these words have come to be exclamations on their own and divorced from their etymological past. Even if one was taught at some time to use them as a polite substitute (which I'll concede was the wrong thing to do at that time) chances are that there is no longer any Holy meaning attached to them now for either the transmitter or the receiver.

 

[Oblio]

Shall we also ban the use of G-d and other such Hebrewphilic constructs. I personally find these offensive for they are counter to the Gospel when God became man and sojourned with us ?

What about if we should say: May God punish them for their transgressions ? Is this not simply longhand for that which would be banned here as 'gosh darn it ...' ?

 

[Oblio]

And, darn it, if ya'll want to wring hands and lock horns, there are probably a dozen heretics on the other side of the hall that need a smackdown.

 

[Guineverelyndy]

God's name is Holy. You don't "substitute" it for swearing. That very act in itself is taking His Holy name irreverently.

It is a substitution to mean the very same thing. Look at the part of the dictionary.com definition for euphemism you left out:
2. the expression so substituted: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”
"To pass away" means the very same thing as "to die".

So, I understand what you're trying to say, but it doesn't seem to hold water.

You are correct in that I missed a part of that definition. I still, however, dont' agree that "gosh" is God's name.

Ask yourself if you would feel comfortable adressing God as "Gosh." If you would honestly have no problems doing this (meaning you really believe 'gosh' is another name for God), I will never say that word around you again. But honestly, I don't think you would feel comfortable with it because gosh is now an expression and an exclamation rather than a name.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I teach my children that the use of explicitives is wrong, no matter how benign they seem to be.

Forgive me...

 

[choirfiend]

In general, I'm in favor of people being educated and following their conscience and the counsel of their spiritual fathers.

In this specific instance, I must agree that the words are disconnected from their original meaning. Such is the development of language.

 

[TrueHope]

I teach my children that the use of explicitives is wrong, no matter how benign they seem to be.

Forgive me...

Could you give my hub lessons in this???? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!!!

 

[Michael G]

Oblio, you are right about their dissocation. I guess banning them would simply lead to a society of thought police. As if that doesn't already exist.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

In general, I'm in favor of people being educated and following their conscience and the counsel of their spiritual fathers.

In this specific instance, I must agree that the words are disconnected from their original meaning. Such is the development of language.

Disconnected by those who don't know better. It is offensive to those who hear it and understand the underlying meaning.

Take for example... your grandparents. Did you not ever say something in front of them that made them absolutely cringe? I did... and it seems to get worse with every generation.

Forgive me...

 

[Oblio]

I think the question is, is the offense taken by some members enough to warrant censorship of TAW ?

If this is the case, where does one stop ? Shall we prohibit threads where we discuss Christ in Harry Potter ? How about those that see the Gospel in the words of the Poet Robert Hunter ? Lord of the Rings ? Star Wars ? Can we mention how we were moved by a evangelical hymn (though clearly heterodox), or a Puritan prayer ?

I for one don't want TAW to become a cyber monastery where someone slaps my knees if I cross them.

And yes, I know there is a corollary to the above

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I for one don't want TAW to become a cyber monastery where someone slaps my knees if I cross them.

That's not what this is?

Bye!

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I would not vote for censorship.

But I would vote for censership!

Forgive me...

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I would not vote for censorship.

But I would vote for censership!

Forgive me...

I don't know which is worse - your joke or the fact that I LOL'ed at it.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I don't know which is worse - your joke or the fact that I LOL'ed at it.

That's what were here for... just trying to help.

Forgive me...

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Was it laughing in monastery in 19th century Russia? Was it jokes in 19th century Russia?

No, it was NOT!

 

[Dorothea]

I'm just wondering what we're supposed to say in place of "gosh," "golly," "gee whiz," etc. I feel like Leave to Beaver.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I'm just wondering what we're supposed to say in place of "gosh," "golly," "gee whiz," etc. I feel like Leave to Beaver.

Nothing... they are not needed.

Try "Lord have mercy!", when you feel the urge.

Forgive me...