2jakes
I'll Lock Up
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- Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
I love arguing with religious types when they maintain that employing the usual G.D or J.C. is "using the Lord's name in vain." And I think my argument is solid.
The prohibition set forth in Exodus and Leviticus set forth in what we call "the Ten Commandments" refers to a name rendered in Hebrew by means of the tetragrammaton. Not any English word or name, as English as a language didn't exist at the time the commandment was reportedly given. "God" isn't a name- it's a title, perhaps a job description... but not a name. To "use the name of the Lord in vain" would mandate a knowledge of Hebrew that I wish I possess... but I really don't. Usually rendered as יהוה, the actual pronunciation of the tetragrammaton is a matter of speculation based upon a transliteration.
Then I offer this analogy: if your name is Jorge, your name may be seen as the rendition in English of George. However, "Jorge" is still your name- it isn't still "George," whether you're in Yonkers or Buenos Aires. The prohibition set forth in Exodus and Leviticus set forth in what we call "the Ten Commandments" prohibits use of a name- not the English language rendition of a name.
And as an alternative argument I point out that "using the name of the Lord in vain" is about taking an oath without proper intent- not verbalizing a curse.
I would think if there is a need to curse using a name,
why not use your name instead & be done with it.